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2018: The year of Steve Jobs' autograph
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For sale: Marilyn Monroe 'Happy Birthday Mr President' hair
Snipped from Marilyn Monroe the night she sang for JFK
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Fabric from The Spirit of St Louis
For sale: original piece of the plane signed by Charles Lindbergh
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A collection of polo trophies and photographic archive relating to Eric Tyrrell-Martin For Sale: £29,500
Eric Horace Tyrrell-Martin was an English international polo player and captained the English team in 1936. Born in Yorkshire, he attended Rugby and Cambridge before becoming a Lieutenant in the 16th Hussars. He married Edith 'Babs' in 1929, who was an exceptional sportswoman, playing tennis at Wimbledon and placing as a runner up in the All American Womens' Golf Championship.Consisting of various silver and silver plated trophies and cups including: a twin-handled silver presentation cup, London, including 2 photo albums and newspaper articles relating to the life and career of Tyrrell-Martin; two address books belonging to his wife Edith containing details for many celebrities including Fred Astaire; Ginger Rogers; Clarke Gable; Walt Disney; Bing Crosby; Charley [sic] Chaplin.
The collection of photographs includes two albums: one containing approximately 100 photographs together with some newspaper cuttings; the other a collection of newspaper articles mostly tracking press coverage of the Westchester Cup at Hurlingham and includes signatures of Gerald Balding (British) and Stewart B. Inglehart and Winston F.C. Guest (America).
In addition there are approximately 200 loose black and white photographs, some mounted–of the English Polo team in 1936 and Tyrrell-Martin sitting on polo horses Pipes O'Pan and French Cottage. The largest 30cm x 39.5cm, the majority 18cm x 12cm and smaller, illustrating polo matches, social events and family holidays.
Tyrrell-Martin had a colourful polo career: he captained the English polo team against America for the Westchester Cup at Hurlingham, a competition the United States have historically dominated and was invited to represent England at the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936, but wasn't able to accept.
Tyrrell-Martin was a member of the polo team that won the American Open Championship in 1939 and was temporarily suspended by the Hurlingham Club Polo Committee, which led to the Texas Rangers polo team withdrawing from the Hurlingham Champion Cup final in 1936.
He and Edith moved to California in 1936 returning to England for only a few months a year thereafter; he spent much time travelling the world playing polo in countries such as: Austria, Hungary, Belgium, Argentina, Jamaica, East Africa and America. He and Babs led a glittering social life with many famous friends and connections.
They visited the Roosevelt's at the White House in 1939 and with the backing of King Farouk he promoted and developed polo in Egypt. He died in 1953 as a result of injuries sustained while playing polo.
Trophies with inscriptions include: Carlow Hunt Races, Light Weight, 1911; Carlow Hunt Races, Light Weight, 1912; Beaufort Hunt Polo Club, Spring Cup, April 1929 (x2); W.S.P.C., Junior Cup, 1925, Templeton, 1. E.H. Martin...; W.S.P.C., Novices Cup, 1925, Chapel Brampton, 1. E.H. Martin...; W.S.P.C., Senior Cup, 1928,...; W.S.P.C., Visitors Cup, 1925, Ridley House, 1. E.H. Martin...; Midwick Country Club Open Championship, 1937, Won by Texas Rangers...; Hurlingham Club, 1926, Oxford v Cambridge; Antwerp Polo Club, Challenge Cup, 1930; Gans Challenge Cup Deauville, 1930; Polo de Laversine, 1929; San Mateo-Burlinghame, Polo Club, High Goal Handicap, Won by...; Coupe de Bourg de Bozas, Polo de Deauville, 1929 Meadow Brook Club, 1939, Presented by The Hurlingham Club...; Cannes-Brioni-Vienna-Challenge-Cup...; A.P.C. Coupe de L'Exposition D'Anvers, 1930; Polo de Paris 1929; Chateau D'Oex, September, 1913; C.A.V., Conference, Eastbourne, 1969
Together with a small quantity of others not inscribed.
A truly unique and most important collection of polo memorabilia worthy of exhibit
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King Henry VII Autographed Historical Document
For Sale: £27,500.00
- Clearly signed "HR" by King Henry VII - the first monarch of the House of Tudor
- Dated 1499 and addressed to Sir Robert Lytton, Keeper of the Great Wardrobe
- Very good condition for age - document is over 500 years old
Henry VII
Henry VII became King of England and Lord of Ireland on August 22, 1485, after he defeated King Richard III at the famed Battle of Bosworth Field. He is the last English king to win his throne on the battlefield.
Uniting the House of Plantagenet's rival houses, the House of Lancaster and the House of York, he founded the Tudor dynasty, which would rule over England until 1603.
His reign is characterised by the restoration of stablitity to the English monarchy after the upheavals of the War of the Roses and before, the Hundred Years War.
However, his final years were marked by financial scandal that left many in England indebted to the throne, a scandal which was only revealed after his death in 1509.
After a 23 year reign, the throne was passed to his son - the charismatic Henry VIII.Description
This extremely rare signed document features Henry VII's clear and flourishing "H R" autograph. It is addressed to Sir Robert Lytton, Keeper of the Great Wardrobe.
The document orders Sir Lytton to deliver to Denys Bonde: "thre brode yerds and an half of tawney for a gowne, and asmoche blak bogee as wol suffice to furre the same. and thre yerds of blak sattyn for a doblet".The piece, which measures 7.7" x 3.5", is accompanied by a full translation of the letter which reads as follows:
"We wol and charge you that vato our Welbeloued seruant denys Bonde ye deliuer or doe (cause - omitted) to bee deliuered thre brode yerds and an half of tawney for a gowne, and asmoche blak bogee as wol suffice to furre the same, and thre yerds of blak sattyn for a doblet and these our letteres shalbe your suffisuant Warraunt in this behalue. yeuen vader oure signet at our manor of Grenewiche the viith day of ffebruary The xiiiith yere of our Reigne.To our trusty and welbeloued knight
and counsaillour sir Robert Litton
keper of our great warderobe"The Great Wardrobe employed a range of craftsmen who lived and worked in the city. The holders of the key posts, such as the king’s tailor and the king’s skinner, were often leading members of their respective livery companies and they were at the centre of a network of other tailors, embroiderers, skinners and tapestry weavers who were employed on a more adhoc basis.
Condition
As is common of documents from this time, the page contains a small area of paper loss towards the bottom left corner and slight stain to the lower edge, however, this does not affect the text or the signature.
Rarity
Few documents have survived the 500+ years since Henry VII's reign and it is incredibly rare to find one in such good condition.
A highly desirable piece, well preserved documents from England's early monarchs are scarce on the market, with most now housed in institutional collection. -
Neil Armstrong Hairdressing Scissors & Comb
£25,000.00
Neil Armstrong Hairdressing Scissors & Comb
For Sale: £25,000.00
- One of the most talked about pieces of Neil Armstrong memorabilia
- Used to cut the hair of the first man on the Moon
- Accompanied by 25 strands of Neil Armstrong's hair
Neil Armstrong was best known for being the first person to set foot on the moon. He participated in two spaceflights during his career as an astronaut; Gemini 8 and Apollo 11. He also served as Capsule Communicator, communicating with the crew of Gemini 11 in 1966.
Armstrong was awarded a Congressional Space Medal of Honor for his efforts and has been decorated by 17 countries in total.
Shortly after Apollo 11, Armstrong announced that he would not be flying into space again.
For one year he served as Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, NASA Headquarters and then went on to teach at the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati between 1971 and 1979. From 1982 until 1992 he was chairman of Computing Technologies for Aviation Inc.
Description
This is a pair of scissors and a comb used by Neil Amstrong's barber, Marx Sizemore, to cut the Moonwalker's hair.
They are accompanied by 25 strands of Armstrong's hair.History
In May 2005, Neil Armstrong became involved in a legal battle with barber Marx Sizemore of Lebanon, Ohio, after finding that the barber was selling off cuts of his hair to memorabilia hunters.
Armstrong threatened legal action unless the hair was returned or the sale proceeds donated to charity. Following Sizemore making the charitable donation, the scissors & comb used by the barber have been held in a private collection.
Provenance
This is a well documented collection.
Included in the sale are copies of the legal correspondence between Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Armstrong's legal representatives, and barber Marx Sizemore.
Also included are sworn testimonies from Sizemore declaring the hair to be genuine:
"This is to inform you that I have been the barber of record of Neil Armstrong since October 1999. I generally cut his hair once a month. This is the, Neil Armstrong, who was an astronaut for N.A.S.A. and the first man to walk on the moon. I do attest that the hair clippings submitted to you are his hairs that I cut from his head."
There is another Sizemore document authenticating the scissors used to cut Armstrong's hair.
A notarised Public State of Colorado document is also included, detailing how the original purchaser obtained the hair from Marx Sizemore.
Rarity
Since 1994, Neil Armstrong ceased signing autographs as he found out that many forgeries were selling for large amounts of money.
Armstrong's is now considered to be one the most valuable and best-performing signatures, as a signed photo of him has increased in value by 1,263.6% between 2000 and 2012, according to the PFC40 Autograph Index.
An estimated 600 million people tuned in to watch the launch of Apollo 11 and so it comes as no surprise that memorabilia related to the mission and its astronauts is highly sought after. Combine this demand with the shortage of Neil Armstrong signed memorabilia out there and it becomes apparent why personal items such as this comb, scissors and hair, are incredibly rare.
History of hair collecting
Hair collecting was hugely popular in the Victorian era. Military officer, Robert E. Lee would regularly give away a sample of his hair instead of an autograph.
A curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Harry Rubenstein, says "more so than an autograph, it was a sign of affection".
The poet Leigh Hunt is known to have had a collection of hair from 21 notable figures inducing Edgar Allen Poe, John Keats and George Washington. This collection is currently on display in the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas.
Comparables
The value of the 25 off-cuts of hair alone should not be underestimated... A single strand of Elvis Presley hair recently sold for £1,055 ($1,750) at auction.
Also in recent years locks from Babe Ruth have sold for $38,000 at auction, John Lennon for $48,000, Elvis and Che Guevara for $119,500. Even teen sensations Justin Bieber's hair has sold at auction for $40,668.
The price of Armstrong memorabilia soared at the recent Apollo 11 40th Anniversary celebrations. A personal cheque signed by Neil Armstrong on the day of his lunar mission sold for a record $27,350. 54 times the minimum bid price of $500.
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Pope Pius XII, born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli (1867 – 1958) served as head of the Catholic Church from March 1939 until his death in 1958.
His reign coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in modern European history, including World War II, the Holocaust, post-war reconstruction, the rise of communism and the Cold War.
Pius XII attempted to serve as a mediator between nations during the war, whilst remaining impartial in the conflict.
He established the Vatican Information Service, which provided information for the families of thousands of war refugees, and instructed the church to discreetly aid Jews, saving thousands of lives.
This traditional white zucchetto skullcap was personally owned and worn by Pope Pius XII.
It is customary for the Pope to offer his skullcap as a gift, if presented with another to replace it.
Pope Pius XII was the first pontiff in the modern era to start this tradition, and the practice has since been continued by Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis.
In recent years a handful of these rare Pope-worn skullcaps have appeared at auction, with examples selling for thousands of dollars.
The skullcap measures 6.5" in diameter, and includes the small label inside "[Socie]tas Mariae Reparatricis."
The skullcap is accompanied by an 'Anticamera Pontificia' card in Italian, signed by Mario Nasalli Rocca di Corneliano as Cameriere Segreto Partecipante di Sua Santita, which reads (translated):
"The white zucchetto that comes with this card was used by His Holiness Pius XII, reigning."
In fine condition, with signs of light wear.
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Rhodesia 1966 1s overprint omitted error SG366b For Sale: £4,500
1966 'Independence' 1s, vertical strip of six being the left column of a sheet with full margins showing '183' sheet number, error OVERPRINT OMITTED on bottom four stamps (save for a tiny fleck of overprint ink on stamp 6), unmounted original gum.
Only ten strips possible from the one sheet that is believed to have existed, and first reported in Stamp Collecting Weekly in April 1966.
Illustrated on p. 491 of The Rhodesian Philatelist no. 28 (January 2009).
Accompanied by a British Philatelic Association Certificate of Authenticity (2013).
An ex Stanley Gibbons stock item.
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Elle Macpherson Manolo Blahnik suede boots For Sale: £1,500
Elle Macpherson (1964- ) is an Australian businesswoman, television host, model, and actress.
These Manolo Blahnik leather lined black suede boots were owned and worn by Elle Macpherson. Elle then donated the boots to the Fashion cafe, of which she was a partner. The boots later featured in a charity auction to benefit the LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and the Performing Arts.
Made in Italy, the boots are size 39½ (US8½), with one leather thigh strap missing.
A superb piece of Elle Macpherson memorabilia and the closest we'll ever get to a supermodel! -
Ronnie Wood sketch of Jeff Beck
£1,200.00
- A sketch capturing life on the road by Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood
Ronnie Wood is a celebrated musician and artist, who has spent more than 40 years as a member of The Rolling Stones.
Wood began his music career with The Birds, before joining The Jeff Beck Group as a bassist in 1967 and releasing two successful albums.
In 1969 he left the band to join Faces along with Rod Stewart, and co-wrote classic songs such as 'Stay With Me' and 'Ooh La La', along with releasing four hit albums and a solo album.
In 1974 Wood unofficially joined The Rolling Stones, replacing the departing Mick Taylor, and has remained a permanent member of the band ever since.
In addition to his career as a musician, Wood is an accomplished and respected artist whose work has been exhibited around the world.
This sketch features the back of legendary guitarist Jeff Beck's head, drawn from the view of the backseat of a car.
Although the sketch is undated, Wood toured extensively with The Jeff Beck Group throughout the late 1960s, and probably spent a lot of time peering at the back of Beck's head whilst they were on the road.
Given his passion for sketching, it seems likely he decided to record the view for posterity, or even just as a joke for himself.
The sketch, which measures 26.8 x 21.1cm, is drawn in blue ballpoint pen on a sheet, with some wear to the edges and uneven trimming to the left side.
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Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda Autograph
For Sale: £195.00
Described as the single most important figure in Japan's rapid growth, Hayato Ikeda (1899-1965) was a forceful Japanese politician. He became the 58th, 59th and 60th Prime Minister for Japan in 1960, 1963 and 1964 respectively. He was instrumental in the resolution of numerous labour disputes and his policies led to an incredible explosion in economic growth.
This 5½" x 3½" card features Ikeda's vertical signature in black ink. The autograph is written in Japanese characters. The item is in excellent condition.
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