Auction 739 April.

ALS, one page, 5 x 8, 10 South Street, Park Lane letterhead, October 1885. Handwritten letter to “Mr. Rathbone,” likely her friend and collaborator, William Rathbone VI, in full: “I trust that you augur well of the General Election. And I hope that you & Mrs. Rathbone are now as well as all your many & devoted friends would wish you, and above all as Pray believe me, dear Mr Rathbone.” In fine condition.

Florence Nightingale worked closely with philanthropist William Rathbone VI to pioneer district nursing and reform workhouse infirmaries. Starting in 1860, she advised him on nurse training homes and promoted home-based care for the poor over hospital treatment. Rathbone relied heavily on her guidance, and together they co-authored workhouse nursing reforms. Their collaboration helped lead to the founding of the Queen’s Nursing Institute in 1887, and they maintained a long, influential correspondence on nursing and public health.

Pink silk bookmark embroidered by Florence Nightingale for English novelist and war correspondent G. A. Henty, measuring 12.5˝ x 1.5˝, with a white patch at center, embroidered with a floral design and his name, "G. A. Henty." Includes a handwritten provenance note from S. Pettit Griffith, Henty's friend and secretary, in part: "The book mark I am sending you was worked by the late Florence Nightingale & presented to Mr. G. A. Henty during the Campaign in the Crimea, where Mr. Henty & his brother Capt. Frederick Henty were engaged. The latter succumbed to cholera, much to the grief of his brother—& his nurse was Nightingale." Housed in a hardcover folder from the "Autograph Collection of Dr. Max Thorek." In fine condition.

TLS signed “Wm. A. Pinkerton,” six pages, personal Pinkerton's National Detective Agency letterhead, April 8, 1890. Lengthy letter to E. H. Hanson, care of G. N. Bartlett, discussing the progress of an ongoing case related to the theft of “a long diamond pin with gold head and spider…valued at from $250.00 to $400” and a “gentleman’s scarf pin,” which were stolen from Mr. E. H. Hanson and his wife while they traveled on a sleeper train named the ‘Hindostan’ from Denver to Chicago. After determining that the conductor was not the thief, Pinkerton explains that his efforts were then to track down the train’s “negro porter,” a man named N. Thomas, whom Pinkerton believes would soon try to pawn the pins. The letter, which contains an interview with the conductor, W. P. Black, who conveys another story of Thomas’s likely thievery, concludes with Pinkerton following Thomas to his home and then to the depot: “He did not go about town and made no effort to enter a pawn shop or jewelry store.” In fine condition, with a strip of toning along the top edge.

Large ink signature, "Pius PP. X,” on an off-white 9.75 x 2 slip below a handwritten Latin blessing. Affixed to a slightly larger card. In very good to fine condition, with a block of toning from prior display. Accompanied by a large, striking matte-finish 10.75 x 14.25 portrait of Pope Pius X.

Exceptional official vintage matte-finish 7 x 9 portrait of Pope Pius XI seated, affixed to its original 10.25 x 17.25 mount, prominently signed on the mount in fountain pen, "Pius PP XI." In fine condition, with light edge rippling.

Royal Christmas card from 1983, embossed in gold on the front with the Prince of Wales’s feathers and Order of the Garter motto and the Spencer family arms, measuring 10.5 x 7.25 open, featuring an affixed color photo of Charles in a kilt and Diana sitting on a swing with toddler Prince William, signed inside in fountain pen, “from Charles and” and “Diana.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.

Partly-printed form headed "Prescription Blank - National Prohibition Act," one page, 6.5 x 4.25, May 12, 1923. Issued under the authority of the National Prohibition Act, a medicinal liquor prescription listing the "Rx" as "Whiskey," filled by a pharmacist in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Text printed in the lower left notes: "This prescription must not be refilled." In fine condition, with light edge toning.

Partly-printed vellum DS, signed “Victoria R,” one page, 13 x 9, November 1, 1845. Queen Victoria appoints William Hugh Hedges Carmichael "to be a Lieutenant in Our Sixty Eighth Foot." Neatly signed at the head in ink by Queen Victoria. The embossed paper seal and blue revenue stamp remain intact. Handsomely double-matted and framed with a portrait to an overall size of 26.25 x 27.5 In fine condition.

ALS signed "A. H. Rostron," one page both sides, 4.25 x 3.5, "On Board the Cunard, RMS Berengaria" letterhead, January 20, 1926. Handwritten letter to his friend Louis M. Ogden, a New York socialite who was aboard the RMS Carpathia during the Titanic disaster and who helped to photograph, document, and assist the survivors. In full: "Thank you for your letter and kind Xmas present for Margaret—Minnie was upset because I told her you'd be away for Xmas & so she couldn't send you anything. Any way I brought out a card on off chance–thank goodness. We have a quick turn round this time arriving dock 10:30 a.m. & sailing 3 a.m. Thursday!!! Well—I do hope you have a Happy & Merry Xmas & a still happier New Year & every year. I'm up to my eyes in work & am tired out. However—love to both of you darlings & we want to see you." In very fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Rostron's own hand, with "RMS Olympia" written in the return address area.

Leaflet entitled "Dr. Albert Schweitzer and His Work," two pages, 4.75 x 7.25, providing a brief overview of his humanitarian efforts, signed on the 'Hospital Fund' donation blank on the reverse in fountain pen, "Albert Schweitzer." In fine condition, with a central horizontal fold, and small mounting remnants to corners.

Civil War–dated Department of State circular, signed “William H. Seward,” one page, 7 x 8, May 20, 1861. Printed circular letter to "the diplomatic agents and consuls of the United States abroad," in part: "As there is reason to believe that purchases of articles contraband of war, especially small arms, have been and will continue to be made in foreign countries, for the use of persons in insurrection against this Government, you will, so far as the laws of the country where you are may permit, do all that you can towards preventing such purchases, and the shipment of the articles, either for their destination or to intermediate ports." Double-matted and framed with an engraved portrait to an overall size of 20 x 17.5. In fine condition.

Issued just weeks after the outbreak of the Civil War, this circular reflects the Lincoln administration’s urgent efforts to suppress the Confederacy’s ability to procure arms abroad. As Secretary of State, William H. Seward directed American diplomats and consuls to use their influence in foreign ports to prevent the purchase and shipment of contraband weapons, underscoring Union fears that Southern agents would exploit European markets to sustain the rebellion.

The Confederacy ultimately obtained much of its weaponry from Great Britain, which became its primary source of small arms—especially the Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-musket—purchased through private arms dealers and shipped via blockade runners operating out of Nassau, Bermuda, and Havana. Significant numbers of Austrian Lorenz rifles and some French arms were also imported from continental Europe.

Robert Spring forgery of a handwritten letter signed “Go: Washington,” one page, 7.75 x 4.75, affixed to a larger cardstock mount. A forged letter to "Jabez Huntington…Given at Head Quarters, New Windsor, January 6th 1781," in full: "Ethan Hopkins now in custody in the Gaol of P. County you will hereby deliver in chg. to the Corporal's Guard." Backed by a cardstock sheet and in very good condition, with a repaired vertical crack.

Personal check, 8.25 x 2.75, filled out and signed by lecture manager James B. Pond, "J. B. Pond," payable to Henry M. Stanley for $500, November 26, 1890, endorsed on the reverse by Stanley, "For Deposit acct at the 2d National Bank, New York City, Henry M. Stanley." In fine condition.

Having served with distinction in the Civil War (he received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Baxter Springs), James B. Pond became a successful agent and managed Stanley's appearances on the lecture circuit. This check would likely have been an advance for a tour of the United States, which Stanley undertook from November 1890–April 1891.

Two items: ink signature, “Henry M. Stanley,” on an off-white 4 x 1.5 sheet; and a clipped mailing envelope panel hand-addressed by David Livingstone, who writes: “Wilbraham Taylor, Esq., to be called for.” An unknown hand has added Livingstone’s name above. In overall very good to fine condition, with some light staining and toning.

Ink signature, "Washington, Feb. 28, 1864, Edwin M. Stanton,” on an off-white 3.5 x 1.25 slip, mounted below an engraved portrait, matted, and framed to an overall size of 10.75 x 13. In fine condition.

Two items: an AQS signed "William T. Stead," one page, 4.25 x 6.5, February 4, 1903, in full: "'If you can do nothing else for your friend think kindly of him for the kind thought of a friend is as the angel of God carrying a benediction to the Soul.' Letters from India"; and a TLS signed "W. T. Stead," one page, 8 x 5.5, The Review of Reviews letterhead, in full: "I am much obliged to you for your letter, and would be very glad to write if I had time to do my own work, but at present I am so driven that I cannot undertake to comply with your request." In fine condition, with show-through from mounting remnants to the corners of the typed letter.

TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, personal letterhead, June 29, 1914. Letter to W. E. Carter, in part: "In my last letter I neglected to tell you that Mrs. Studebaker expects to have two maids with her; on account of Esther's condition we find it impossible to get along with one. Therefore we will want two maid's rooms and a room for chauffeur. I expect to have two cars, and presume you will keep the regular spaces for me." In fine condition.

Pamphlet entitled "The Crime Against Kansas. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts." NY: New York Tribune, 1856. Bound in publisher's paper wrappers with prospectus advertisement on the reverse, 6 x 9.25, 32 pages. Delivered in the United States Senate on May 19, 1856, Sumner's powerful address condemned the violence perpetrated by pro-slavery forces in the Kansas Territory, criticized the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and harshly attacked Southern politicians. On May 22nd, Representative Preston Brooks brutally beat Sumner over the head with a cane; both men became heroes in their respective regions. In good to very good condition, with heavy overall dampstaining, surface loss affecting the title, and a tear to the upper left corner, passing through the "T. B. Pugh, Bookseller" ink stamp at the head.

TLS in Hebrew, one page, 7.25 x 8.5, Jewish Community of Palestine, General Council letterhead, December 2, 1931. Letter to an activist colleague, in part (translated): "I will come to Haifa…to organize the local social department…If you still want to help me, meet with me." In fine condition.

Block of wood removed Harland & Wolff’s Engine Works, measuring 2.75˝ x 3.25˝ x 2˝, with a "Harland & Wolff, Titanic, Belfast" plaque affixed to the front. Includes a metal display stand, the original box, and a certificate of authenticity from Harland & Wolff, in part: "This block has been removed from the floor of the Harland and Wolff Engine Works on which the Titanic reciprocating engines were built and tested…The blocks were all cut by saw and therefore all vary slightly in size. They are dark brown in colour and over the years have been stained by oil and paint. The blocks are heavy and dense, their strength being a necessary requirement for the Works floor. Each block has grooves cut in the base to allow for a batten to be placed to hold them together in groups. The individual blocks were necessary so that under engine test conditions each block could vibrate independently." In fine condition.

Postcard photo featuring an artistic depiction of the RMS Titanic, 5.5 x 3.5, signed in ballpoint by four survivors of the disaster: Millvina Dean, Bertram Vere Dean, Eva Hart, and Edith Haisman. In very fine condition.

Two documents signed by the Tammany Hall politicians: a DS signed "W. M. Tweed," one page, 8.25 x 9.75, January 30, 1869, being a City of New-York pay order in the amount of $668 for materials used in "painting public lamps"; and a check filled out in another hand and signed by New York City's mayor, "A. Oakey Hall," 8 x 3.75, July 31, 1869, being a check made payable to J, Vanderbeck for $150 as "Salary as Inspector, Buildings." In overall very good to fine condition, with a minor edge chip, light toning, and partial splits to folds of the Tweed document.

ALS signed “Alfred R. Wallace,” one page, 4.5 x 7, personal letterhead, June 5, 1911. Handwritten letter to physician and botanist George Watt, in full: "I am now attempting to grow Primulas in my stock and bog garden; and I should be much obliged if you could let me have a copy of your 'Observations on Indian Primulas' (in the Journal of the R. Hort. Soc.) should you have a separate copy which you can spare." In fine condition, with scattered light foxing.

Two TLSs from IBM executives Thomas J. Watson and his namesake, Thomas J. Watson, Jr., both one page, 7.25 x 7.5 and 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead. The letter from Watson, Sr., signed “Thos. J. Watson,” dated February 20, 1940, reads, in part: “I have just received your letter advising me that I was elected a Director of the France-America Society at the annual meeting held on February 5th, and I am pleased to accept.” The letter from Watson, Jr., signed “T. J. Watson, Jr.,” dated April 18, 1961, in part: “I certainly appreciate your kind remarks and am flattered that you should want an autographed picture of me…Unfortunately my travels do not bring me to Arizona too often, but I am familiar with its beneficial climate.” In overall fine condition.

Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (1874-1956) founded IBM and built it into one of the most powerful companies in the world. He was one of the richest men of his time and was called the world's greatest salesman when he died. Thomas J. Watson, Jr. (1914–1993) served as the second IBM president, the 11th national president of the Boy Scouts of America, and the 16th United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union.

ALS signed “D. Webster,” one page, 7.5 x 7, January 18, 1822. Handwritten letter to a gentleman, in full: "The commissioners directed today, in the case of the Sch. Perseverance, & cargo, that cases of seizure by the French, in the north of Spain, during the time that Joseph Buonaparte claimed to be King, are not within the Treaty." Matted and framed with an engraved portrait (featuring Webster's facsimile signature) to an overall size of 15.5 x 27.5. In fine condition.