• A 4.75 x 3 inch album page signed by Albert Einstein in 1925, during a lecture tour of Argentina
• The autograph appears alongside others by several Argentine intellectuals, including Mauricio Nirenstein and Jorge Duclout

Albert Einstein was one of the world’s greatest scientific minds. In the early 1900s he developed the Theory of Relativity, which remains a key tenet of modern physics. A German citizen, he left the country shortly before Hitler seized power and never returned – choosing instead to spend the rest of his life in America. He was instrumental in developing the first atomic bombs in the 1940s, in spite of his lifelong commitment to pacifism. 

Einstein travelled widely in the early 1920s, visiting countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.

In 1922, the University of Buenos Aires invited him to give a series of lectures on relativity. Einstein accepted and made the long journey out three years later, in 1925. He was warmly received in Argentina and gave a number of interviews with the press on a range of subjects - including politics, pacifism and Judaism.

Einstein signed this album page during this month-long trip. His autograph appears in the centre, surrounded by signatures from various Argentine intellectuals.

It’s a beautiful specimen, accompanied by PSA authentication and extensive information on his time in Buenos Aires.

Einstein is among the most sought after signatures on the market. In 2017, a note he signed for a Japanese courier sold for a world record $1.5m.

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• A signed copy of Russian author Alexandr Solzhenitsyn’s acclaimed 1962 novel One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

Alexandr Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008) was born in Stavropol Krai in south western Russia shortly after the October revolution.

In 1945, he was sentenced to eight years in a gulag for complaining about the Soviet regime in a letter to a friend. The harshness of the labour camp served to compound his feelings about life under communism.

Solzhenitsyn wrote in secret for many years, including his time in the gulag. Following the death of Stalin in 1952, the climate of repression in Russia began to ease. 

In 1962, he published One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich in a literary magazine with the blessing of First Secretary Nikolai Khrushchev. However, that brief window of permissiveness closed soon after. This would be the first and last text Solzhenitysn was able to publish in the Soviet Union.

The rest of Solzhenitsyn’s catalogue was published in the West. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1970 and expelled from the Soviet Union in 1974. In 1990 he was permitted to return to Russia, where he lived out the rest of his days.  

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich follows the titular character through 24 hours in a typical gulag. The text exposes the cruelty of the system and the ways in which it crushes the human spirit.

This is a 1978 Penguin edition of the novel. Solzhenitysn has signed in blue pen on the title page. It’s dated 1980.

The book is accompanied by a note from Solzhenitsyn’s secretary (presumably in reply to a request) that reads: “I am very sorry, but Mr Solzhenitsyn does not grant any autographs (except on his books).”

This is a rare opportunity to own a signature from one of the most compelling and controversial writers of the 20th century.  

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• Rare Audrey Hepburn signed 8 x 10 inch headshot in her iconic role as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Audrey Hepburn began her acting career as a chorus girl in the London’s West End during the late 1940s. Her breakout came in 1951, when she was cast as the lead in Gigi – a hugely successful play on Broadway.

A career in film followed, including Roman Holiday (1953) and Sabrina (1954). However, it’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) for which she is best known. Her appearance in the movie has become an icon of cinema.

Given her reclusive nature, it’s no surprise there are very few Audrey Hepburn autographs around.

Signed headshots are in high demand and those showing her in her iconic role as Holly Golightly are particularly sought after.

This is a fine display piece, in excellent condition. The autograph to the bottom right is large and attractive, signed in black felt tip pen. It’s accompanied by a letter of authentication from industry expert James Spence.

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Prince Charles and Princess Diana signed this red 10x8 inch visitor’s book on a visit to a charity day centre on June 27, 1985. The piece is accompanied by a letter of provenance explaining how the owner received it.  

The page the royal couple signed has been laminated for protection and printed “Signed during the visit of their royal highnesses the prince and princess of Wales to the centre”.

Each signature is unusually large and bold. Both in black ink with no smudging. A fabulous display piece.

• A menu from a 1942 dinner at the Chambre de Commerce Francaise in London signed by Charles de Gaulle
• At the time of signing de Gaulle was leader in exile of the Free French resistance
• An extraordinary piece of WW2 memorabilia from a towering figure in French history

Charles De Gaulle (1890-1970) was a fascinating and controversial figure. He graduated from France’s prestigious Saint Cyr military academy in 1912 and became a decorated hero during the first world war. When WW2 broke out, he was appointed Undersecretary of War. He fled to England after the French government surrendered to the Nazis in 1940, becoming leader of the French resistance. After the war he was appointed chair of the transitional government. He was prime minister from 1948-49 and elected president of France from 1958-1969, establishing the Fifth Republic and carefully piloting the nation through the cold war. As a result, De Gaulle is seen by many as the founding father of modern France.

In 1940, Charles de Gaulle broadcast his celebrated Appeal du 18 Juin across the English channel to the people of France. The general had been forced to leave the country after the invasion of Germany made him a target for arrest and possible execution.

In his speech, De Gaulle exhorted French soldiers to continue the fight against the invaders. This put him in opposition with the ruling Vichy government, which signed an armistice with Germany and began working in collaboration. This included adopting the Nazis' cruel persecution of Jews and other minorities.

This meal took place at the Chambre de Commerce Francaise at Grosvenor House, London on January 6, 1942. De Gaulle signs the 4.1 x 6.7 inch menu in bold black pen to the top left.  

At this date he has been living in London for two years, masterminding the French Resistance’s guerrilla war against the occupying German army. He was backed in his efforts by Winston Churchill, who agreed to loan him the funds for the fight, to be paid back by France after the war.

When you buy this item you also get a July 1, 1941 Chambre de Commerce Francaise menu signed by Alfred Boucher (president of the Free French Chamber of Commerce), Greek diplomat Charalambos Simopolous and Yugoslavian attaché MN Domovic.

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• A Coutts cheque signed by the great Victorian author and social reformer Charles Dickens on March 27, 1861

Charles John Huffman Dickens (1812-1870) is regarded as the greatest English writer of his age. His broad body of work includes some of the most celebrated novels ever written - including Oliver Twist, Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol.

Dickens was born into a middle class family in Portsmouth, but his circumstances changed dramatically when his father was slung into a debtors’ prison in 1824. Dickens was forced to leave school and start work in a boot polish factory to support his family.

While his father was freed a few months later, allowing Dickens to return to school, this formative experience left him burning with a righteous anger at the conditions the working classes had to endure.

Dickens purchased Gads Hill, his country home in Higham, Kent, in 1856 and spent a considerable sum refurbishing it over the next few years.

This cheque for £30.12s.6d is made out to carpet and curtain makers James Shoolbred & Co.

Dickens writes out the date, the recipient and the sum in blue ink. His signature, with its characteristic multiple underlines, is to the bottom left.

The piece is displayed in an attractive gold frame along with an antique photograph of Dickens, depicting him circa 1861. The reverse is fixed with a card displaying information from Louise Ross & Co. Auctioneers. 

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An absolutely superb signed photograph (By Underwood & Underwood of Washington DC) measuring 18cmx23cm, mounted to a total size of 28cmx38cm.

• An early and superb 1964 signed photo by Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, with terrific provenance. 

Watts has signed “Love Charlie Boy” – his typical autograph – in blue ballpoint pen across a 4.8 x 3.5 inch, previously unknown, black and white photo.

Charlie Watts (1941-) has been the Rolling Stones’ drummer since 1963. A revered figure by musicians and music fans alike, Watts is widely regarded as among rock’s greatest drummers.

The 4.8 x 3.5 inch photo was taken backstage at the Brighton Hippodrome on Sunday July 19, 1964 – just seven days after the Stones had their first #1 single with It’s All Over Now.

The Stones were headlining a bill that included Kenny Lynch and Marty Wilde.

The photographer was a teenage journalist for amateur magazine Teen Topics.

Watts signed the photo on the Stones’ next visit to the Brighton Hippodrome, on Sunday October 11, 1964, when the journalist again was permitted access to the band backstage.

Photos of the Stones in their early years are highly sought after, as are their signatures. Capturing the two together makes this a hugely rare piece.

It comes directly from the amateur Teen Topics journalist, with a detailed letter of authenticity from her. Good condition.

A document featuring the autograph of one of the most significant political figures of the 20^th century, Che Guevara.

The document

This 'Honourable Mention' certificate was presented to worker Hiram Peres de Alejo in March 1962 for his "endeavour in the increase of production".

Under the new Communist regime, Guevara had abolished all pay raises, and so Cuban workers were encouraged with moral, rather than material incentives.

These included a system of diplomas, medals, certificates, honourable mentions in factory bulletins, and public ceremonies.

The certificate bears Guevara's iconic, instantly recognisable autograph, which reads simply "Che", along with an embossed official government seal.

The document measures 27.8 x 35.3cm, with several separations repaired on the reverse, and slight creasing and toning. These do not affect Guevara's signature.

Che Guevara

Ernesto 'Che' Guevara (1928-1967) was a writer, guerrilla leader and Marxist revolutionary, who played a major role in the Cuban Revolution.

In 1959 Guevara and Fidel Castro led a group of insurgents to overthrow the government of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista, and established Cuba as a Communist state.

Following the Revolution, Che Guevara served in a number of important positions throughout the new government, including Chief of the Industrial Department of the National Institute of Agrarian Reform; President of the National Bank of Cuba ; and Minister of Industry.

Guevara was also a central figure in establishing links to the Soviet Union – a relationship which brought Soviet nuclear missiles to Cuba, and almost caused a global nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

Guevera's 1961 book Guerrilla Warfare became a handbook for thousands of revolutionaries around the world, and he was later killed in 1967 whilst attempting to organize a similar revolution in Bolivia.

Today Che Guevara remains both revered as a hero and reviled as a terrorist in equal measure, he became a symbolic figure for many leftist political movements

His life continues to inspire countless movies, documentaries, books and essays, and the iconic Alberto Korda photograph of him entitled 'Guerrillero Heroico' is regarded as one of the most famous images of the 20^th century.

The unique Elizabeth Taylor Richard Burton love letter

A love letter written, in pencil, by Elizabeth Taylor to her husband Richard Burton on their 10 year wedding anniversary, March 15th 1974, just days before their breakup.

Taylor and Burton were renting a house in Oroville, California while Burton was filming his latest movie "The Klansman". Their lease on the home began on February 15th 1974.

The letter reads in full:

"My darling (my still) My husband. I wish I could tell you of my love for you, of my fear, my delight, my pure animal pleasure of you - (with you) - my jealousy, my pride, my anger at you, at times.

Most of all my love for you, and whatever love you can dole out to me - I wish I could write about it but I can't. I can only "boil and bubble" inside and hope you understand how I really feel.

Anyway I lust thee, Your (still) Wife. P.S. O'Love, let us never take each other for granted again! P.P.S. How about that - 10 years!!"

Taylor had warned Burton from the start of their marriage in 1964 that she had zero tolerance for infidelity. However during the filming of When Eagles Dare, Burton resumed an affair with co-star Mary Ure. After that, Taylor made sure she was on set with Burton every day in 1969 for the shooting of Anne Of The Thousand Days.

A further affair with co-star Genevieve Bujold lasted many years. An affair with Nathalie Delon followed in 1972, along with rumours of an affair with Raquel Welch.

Taylor finally lost patience during the filming of The Klansman when Burton commenced an affair with "a teenager, a hotel waitress and a string of other women."

The love letter is accompanied by a letter of provenance from Toni Hennings, the woman who rented the Oroville house to them:

"This letter written by Elizabeth Taylor while renting my home from Feb 15th til April 18th 1974. It was left behind - inside a book in a drawer under the masterbedroom bed."

As seen in the Daily Mail, the Telegraph and the Daily Express.

• An Enid Blyton inscribed and signed first edition, first printing copy of her 1954 work for children, The Greatest Book in the World.

Enid Blyton (1897-1968 ) is one of English literature’s best-loved children’s authors, celebrated particularly for The Famous Five, The Secret Seven and the Noddy stories.

Blyton has written beautifully on the title page in black ink: “Rosalind Watson, with my warm thanks for all your help and very best wishes from Enid Blyton”.

The Greatest Book in the World is rare and Blyton inscribed books are highly sought after. This is the only signed copy of the work we have seen.

The book was published by the British & Foreign Bible Society. It features 63 pages and orange and black illustrations by Mabel Peacock.

Blyton wrote the book to celebrate the Bible Society's 150th anniversary. In it Blyton recounts true stories about Bibles from around the world. The book features Blyton’s familiar and much loved cosy tone.

The book measures a large 8.5 x 5.5 inches – perfect for display. Complete with dust jacket, in fair condition. Book in good condition.

Comes with a detailed letter of authenticity from the previous owner. 

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• A certificate of recognition awarded to a Cuban social worker in 2001
• Featuring a fine signature from Fidel Castro

Fidel Castro (1926 – 2016) was a Cuban revolutionary and politician who led the Republic of Cuba as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976, and then as President from 1976 to 2008.

Castro was the architect behind the Cuban Revolution in 1959, which overturned the right-wing authoritarian government and turned the nation into a one-party socialist state.

Castro remains one of the most divisive political figures of the 20th century, revered by many as a champion of social justice and anti-imperialism, and hated by others as a brutal dictator.

Prior to his death in November 2016, Castro was listed on the PFC40 Autograph Index as the world's most valuable living signature, with the price of his autograph having risen 16.9% per annum since 2000.

This certificate was awarded to a Fernando J Valdes Freenas in July 2001 and commemorates his completion of a course in social work.

These large certificates were produced throughout Castro’s presidency to recognise the efforts of Cubans in society. This is a particularly good specimen.

Measuring 16.5 x 11.8 inches, it features a bold example of Castro’s signature in blue felt tip pen.

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A rare 1959 official Cuban government decree featuring the superb autograph of Fidel Castro as Prime Minister. The document is also signed by the President of Cuba, Osvaldo Torrado, and the Minister of Communications, Enrique Oltuski. 

The decree is dated 20 November 1959 - just 11 months after Castro seized power. As such it is one of the most timely Cuban documents in existence. 

Castro has signed in black fountain pen above his title of "PRIMER MINISTRO". The page is enhanced by two official embossed seals under the signatures of Castro and Oltuski. 

A blue government sticker with ribbons adds a further level of authority to the document. 

A second page features a second Castro autograph, in the form of his initials. Torrado and Castro have both also signed this second page. 

The decree ended Cuba's use of an unpopular one cent postage stamp surcharge, used to fight tuberculosis in the country. 

It is accompanied by a card bearing the photos of Fidel Castro and Cuban politician Eduardo Chibas. It reads: "Verguenza contra Dinero!/Shame against Money", and "Libertad o Muerte/Freedom or Death".  

All documents are in fair condition. There is some tearing to both pages of the decree that does not affect the signatures.

Fidel Castro (1926 – 2016) was a Cuban revolutionary and politician who led the Republic of Cuba as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976, and then as President from 1976 to 2008.

Castro was the architect behind the Cuban Revolution in 1959, which overturned the right-wing authoritarian government and turned the nation into a one-party socialist state.

Castro remains one of the most divisive political figures of the 20th century, revered by many as a champion of social justice and anti-imperialism, and hated by others as a brutal dictator.

Prior to his death in November 2016, Castro was listed on the PFC40 Autograph Index as the world's most valuable living signature, with the price of his autograph having risen 16.9% per annum since 2000.

• A touching handwritten love letter by one of the most legendary outlaws of the Old West

Frank James (1843 – 1915) was a U.S Civil War Confederate guerrilla and notorious Old West outlaw.

Together with his younger brother Jesse James, he helped established the James-Younger Gang, which robbed banks, trains, and stagecoaches throughout the southern states.

The gang cultivated a reputation as folk heroes, with help from the editor of the Kansas City Times, who published Jesse James' letters and proclaimed him to be a modern-day Robin Hood.

The gang's spree of robberies and murder lasted from 1866 until 1876, when several members were killed or captured during a disastrous raid on the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota.

Frank James retired from his life of crime soon after, but his brother Jesse struggled to adapt to normal life, and formed a new gang which continued to operate for several years.

Following the murder of Jesse by fellow gang member Robert Ford in 1882, Frank James feared for his own life and surrendered to the authorities, stating:

"I have been hunted for twenty-one years, have literally lived in the saddle, have never known a day of perfect peace. It was one long, anxious, inexorable, eternal vigil."

He was tried for his roles in two robberies/murders in Missouri and Alabama, and was acquitted in both cases, before returning to Oklahoma to live with his family.

For the next 30 years Frank James held a variety of jobs, including a shoe salesman, an AT&T telegraph operator and even a ticket taker in a burlesque theatre.

He also gave public lectures on the Old West, invested in Buckskin Bill's Wild West Show, and gave tours of the James family farm, where he eventually passed away in 1915 at the age of 72.

Frank James and Ann Ralston

The story of how Frank James first met Ann Ralston remains somewhat of a mystery.

She was the highly-educated daughter of a wealthy businessman, and was working as a teacher when she suddenly eloped with James in the summer of 1875.

Her parents received a letter which read simply "Dear Mother: I am married and going West. Annie Reynolds", and were distraught at her disappearance.

It wasn't until several months later that they discovered their new son-in-law was one of the country's most wanted men.

In 1876 Ann's father arranged for a New York newspaper article about the marriage, to ensure his family was not linked to the criminal gang

"The James brothers, who are, with the Younger boys, creating so much stir just now, have had a love scrape, or at least one of them has. But this love affair is different from all other love affairs. No one who knows anything of the career of the James brothers would expect them to woo, win and marry like other people...

"Mr. Ralston has had no connection or communication with the train robbers whatever. His daughter he has not seen since she left home, a year and one month ago.

"If she is alive she will not write home, lest her letters should guide the officers to her husband's retreat. If she was dead Frank James would have notified her parents. So they can only rest patiently in the uncertainty of perhaps seeing their daughter again."

Ralston never returned home, but despite the dramatic nature of their courtship and Frank's life of crime, they maintained a happy and stable marriage.

They had a son, Robert Franklin James, and following Frank's surrender and subsequent acquittal for murder in 1883, they remained together until his death in 1915.

Ann Ralston James lived out the rest of her days on the James family farm, before passing away in 1944, and the couple's ashes were buried together at Hill Park Cemetery in Jackson County, Missouri.

The letter

The letter, dated July 7, 1883, was written by James to his wife whilst incarcerated in jail in Gallatin, Missouri.

He was awaiting trial for murder and robbery of the Rock Island Line train at Winston, Missouri, in which the train engineer William Westfall and a passenger Frank McMillan were killed.

Having spent a year in custody, James' trial began on August 20, and lasted just three days, before the jury returned a resounding verdict of 'not guilty'.

The tender love letter reveals James to be both highly romantic and highly literate.

Although he lived much of his life as a violent outlaw, he had been raised as a preacher's son surrounded by books, and during his youth developed a love for the works of Shakespeare.

James was said to always carry a book in his saddle bag, even when he was on the run from the law, and he shared this passion for literature with Ann throughout their 40-year marriage.

Here's the text in full:

My dear wife,

Your dear letter of the 1st was handed to me not exceeding an hour ago. It arrived here on the third, at least it is as marked. Now I sent foreword .. in this manner. There are very few men in this world that care anything for their wives, that they naturally suppose that all men are alike.

How badly they are deceived. If there is anything on this earth that is half as dear to me as my wife I have failed to find it. You are everything to me and the only living human being that has ever possessed my whole love, my entire confidence, the only one that ever will and I feel as that love and confidence will never be abused.

I have lived as I think to see all my fondest hopes realised. Long years ago I hoped and prayed that god would give me a true woman for my wife and i feel as if he has done so and anyone who has had a chance for happiness in this belief is more fortunate than the possessor of a thousand worlds.

I am trying to pass the time reading and writing - I regret that I am deprived of your beauty and I am writing to suffer that I have no visitors as told you in last.

Enclosed I send you an editorial from the trenchant pen of Rob M Yast that I think a grand effort.

I suppose you remember the circumstances of Jarvis shooting Englehart. Yast talks of love and forgiveness & Jarvis has shown that he possessed both - as also has Yast. He’s shown himself to be a true friend of me and mine.

Yast seems a man of most liberal whims. I dare say nine out of every ten would say that they would not forgive Jarvis for what he has done. Yet if it is the means of reclaiming the human I don't think he will ever regret it.

Regarding mamma, this may not be interesting to you but it has been to me. I had a letter from ma today, she feels disappointed as you did not visit...

I supposed it was useless to ask you again so will end further requests. I also had one further service. she also sends her kindness in regards to you and asked why you did not write. Please write her and let her know I will write Monday again.

When you write, write me care of Sherriff - I don’t think he will read them.

He has not opened any of my letters for a long time and if he should that would be better than not to get them so long after they’re written. I will kiss you both good night - write often your loving Ben/ f**k it is raining hard at this time.

James autographs the letter as 'Ben', a protective alias that he used when writing to his loved ones.

The single page letter, with text on both sides, measures 203 by 126mm, with fold creases and bleeding of ink in some sections.

A remarkable piece of history, which offers a personal insight into one of the Old West's most legendary figures.