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Politics -- British

CHURCHILL, WINSTON
A magnificent presentation portrait photograph (10x12.5 inches) of Churchill, though done in soft focus depicts all the valour and inspiration of the great wartime Churchill. He is photographed half length, one hand on his waist and the other leaning against a book, while he stares intensely forward with piercing eyes. Photographs by A.C. Cooper Ltd. Fine Art Photographers and signed in lower white border as 'Winston S. Churchill'. The remarkable piece was originally given to Sir Peter Agnew Bart, Member of Parliament and Naval Commander. Churchill's speeches were a great inspiration to the embattled British. His first speech as Prime Minister was the famous "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat". In a November 2002 BBC poll of the "100 Greatest Britons", he was proclaimed "The Greatest of Them All" based on approximately a million votes from BBC viewers. Churchill was rated as one of the most influential leaders in history by 'Time' magazine. This oversized portrait is most unusual, and truly magnificent, the best we have ever encountered. Framed.

Royalty & Aristocracy -- Kings

HENRY VIII
King of England and Lord (later King) of Ireland (1491-1547) from 1509 until his death. The second monarch of the Tudor dynasty, Henry attained the status of legend among British monarchs, not only for his virtually untrammelled power (including the break with Rome that led to the formation of the Anglican Church), but for his six marriages. Ultimately unsuccessful in his wish for a male heir, he was instead succeeded by his daughter, Elizabeth I, who would prove to be one of the most able and influential figures in the history of the monarchy. Scarce manuscript document, in Old English, signed 'Henry' adding his cipher, one page on vellum, approximately 7.5 x 6 (trimmed from a larger sheet), June 28 ["the thyrd yere of our reign", i.e., 1512]. A directive to "Our trusty and well-beloved Sir Andrew Wyndesor, Knight Keeper of Our Greate Wardrobe" ordering him to deliver to Stephyn Jasper, "our Taillor ... the following towardes his apparaill", including "four brode yards and an halfe of violet cloth ... for a gown" as well as "black woll", "black velvet", and "black damask for a Jaquit". In April, just two months earlier, Henry declared war on France in a bloody conflict that continued until the Treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye brought hostilities to an end in August 1514. (One provision of the treaty was the payment to Henry of one million francs by Louis XII in return for Henry’s promise not to claim the French throne). Though Henry was still married to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, 1512 also saw the birth of Catherine Parr, who would grow up to become his sixth and final wife in 1543. In very good condition, with staining, toning and soiling all far from Henry’s signature, overall expected vellum wrinkling, and a single small hole to bottom margin (probably the remnant of a seal no longer present). The signature is extraordinarily bold and dark, and, given its age, the document is quite handsome for display.

Art -- Painters

PABLO PICASSO - Spanish painter and engraver
Wonderful sketch by Picasso of a bull and bullfighter, in the arena, surrounded by spectators, Signed and dated by Picasso, January 14, 1957. In blue ballpoint pen, on the title page of a booklet of his works by Jean Cassou, 4 3/4 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches high.

Picasso's fascination with bulls and bullfighting began when he was eight-years-old and continued throughout his long artistic career. In his masterpiece, "Guernica," the head of a bull occupies the upper left hand corner, and other references to the corrida can be seen. For many years, his work reflected the violence of the combat but gradually his approach softened with the conflict between man and beast less brutally portrayed. Jean Cassou was deeply involved in the avant-garde literary and artistic movements of the 20's and 30's, and was the Director of the Museum of Modern Art in Paris in the 40's.

Framed (with five matching prints of his works, all the same size as Picasso's sketch) dimensions: 24 inches wide by 21 inches high.

Military -- British

NELSON, VISCOUNT ADMIRAL HORATIO
Document signed 'Nelson & Bronte' as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean fleet addressed to "the Respective Captains, or Commanders of any of His Majesty's Ships, or Vessels Which may be ordered on the Mediterranean Station" and stating that the position he will take "in preference to all others off Toulon...will be to bring Cape Sicie to bear East, from Ten to Fifteen Leagues", 1 page, small 4to, H.M.S. Victory off Toulon, 31 August 1803, loss to upper section (possibly with text), professionally removed from mount, one closed tear repaired. During the summer of 1803, Nelson's fleet had been cruising off Toulon and Barcelona, observing the French squadron and preventing it from sailing through the straits of Gibraltar. Nelson's achievement throughout this period, "during which hardly a gun under his command was fired, was as remarkable as any of his battles. It represented a concentration of effort and willpower that overcame...negligible resources...little strategic guidance and almost no intelligence that did not come from his own efforts..." (Knight, p.451).

Politics -- American

KENNEDY, JOHN F
A circular presidential campaign hang tag, 8'' in diameter, expressing "Vote Senator John F. Kennedy President" and issued by the Wisconsin Volunteers for Kennedy, signed at the bottom in blue ballpoint. Double matted and framed with a color photo of Kennedy in a campaign parade, to an overall size of 15 x 22. In fine condition, with an area of toning to top of signed side.

Sport -- Boxing

ALI, MUHAMMAD
A large (approx 40x50cm) black and white reproduction of a landscape photograph of Muhammad Ali with The Beatles at his feet. The image was taken on February 18, 1964, when the band visited Ali at his training camp in Miami where he was preparing for his rematch with Sonny Liston. Signed as Muhammad Ali in bold blue ink toward the upper edge of the piece. Mounted, framed and glazed.