• Half a letter from Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson to Captain William G Rutherford, commander of HMS Swiftsure
• Signed in June 1805, just over five months before Nelson’s death at the Battle of Trafalgar
• Written amidst the British pursuit of the French fleet to the Caribbean 

Nelson (1758-1805) was a British naval officer famous for his victories against the French during the Napoleonic Wars. He was known for his superb leadership skills and somewhat unconventional strategies. Nelson was involved in battle almost constantly between 1793 until his death in 1805. During this time he lost the sight in his right eye at the Battle of Calvi in Corsica and lost his right arm at Santa Cruz in Tenerife. Admiral Lord Nelson is remembered as one of the greatest British war heroes in history. He died during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

This is the bottom half of a letter Admiral Nelson sent to Captain William G Rutherford (commander of the HMS Swiftsure) in June 1805. That's five months before the Battle of Trafalgar. Rutherford took command of the Swiftsure in May 1805, after Nelson appointed him to the position during the blockade of Toulon.

The British blockaded the port, intending to draw out the French fleet. But the French, under Admiral Villeneuve, gave the British the slip and escaped through the Strait of Gibraltar – heading west to the Caribbean.

Nelson took several ships (including the Swiftsure) and set off in hot pursuit. On June 4, 1805, the British fleet arrived into Barbados. Nelson had received word from the governor of St Lucia that the French had gone to Trinidad and Tobago. He picked up troops from Barbados, intending to smash the French. But on June 9 he learned the information was incorrect. The French fleet had actually gone north to Martinique. There they'd captured a strategic sea fort (Diamond Rock) and headed home.

Dejected, Nelson ordered the fleet to return to Europe. They dropped the extra troops at Antigua on June 13.

But this 6.5 x 8 inch letter dates to June 4-9, when Nelson still believes he's on the tail of the French fleet. He orders Rutherford to give troops the full complement of food and provisions, to steel them for the battle ahead.

Nelson writes: “…any distinction in victualling them would under the present circumstances be in my opinion very improper, it is my intention as we may soon be in Battle with the Enemy and the stay of the troops on board cannot be many days, that they shall be victualled the same as the respective ships companies.

“It is therefore my direction that you cause the troops who may be embarked from Barbadoes onboard his majesty’s ship under your command to be victualled at full allowance of all species of provisions the same as your ships company during their continuance on board.”

Below he signs “Nelson & Bronte”.

Spanish King Ferdinand III appointed Nelson First Duke of Bronte in 1799, in thanks for his help in subduing a rebellion in Naples. Nelson was proud of his new title and incorporated it into his signature. He tried out a few different ways of writing it (including "Bronte Nelson of the Nile”) before settling on the current form. He changed his autograph often throughout his life. This is the last variant he used.

The present example is clear and fine. Its connection to a key moment in British naval history provides enhanced appeal.

The flight of Admiral Villeneuve was the last major naval action before the Battle of Trafalgar. After arriving back to the UK in August, Nelson was hailed the saviour of the British colonies in the Caribbean.

On September 2, he was told the French and Spanish had combined fleets at Cadiz. So began the Battle of Trafalgar.

The Swiftsure would play a decisive role at Trafalgar, taking on four French ships and dealing the final blow to the Achille. After the battle it attempted to tow the Redoubtable, the French ship from whence Nelson’s fatal shot came, but cut it free when it started to sink.

Rutherford was a fascinating character and the only American-born commander at Trafalgar.

Born in North Carolina to loyalist parents, who fled to the Caribbean at the outbreak of the American Revolution, he rose quickly through the ranks of the British Navy – taking his first command post in 1794.

Nelson’s signature is in high demand, with letters relating to his naval career particularly sought after. This is a particularly important specimen, directly connected with the last manoeuvres before the Battle of Trafalgar.   

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• A set of three Apollo 11 crew signed photographs 

The Apollo program was NASA’s third foray into human spaceflight and operated from 1961 through 1972. It succeeded in putting the first men on the Moon with the Apollo 11 landing in 1969, a defining moment in human history.

A superb set of three signed photographs from each member of the Apollo 11 mission. Command Module Pilot Michael Collins inscribes his name along with “Apollo 11”. Buzz Aldrin does the same, on a photograph showing him on the lunar surface.

Neil Armstrong writes: “To Robert Gerundo/ Best wishes/ Neil Armstrong”.

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A fantastic, full length, colour postcard photograph (approximately 4 x 6 inches) of the astronaut 'Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin Jr' walking on the surface of the moon near a leg of the Lunar Module during the Apollo 11 extravehicular activity on July 20, 1969. 

The piece includes an 'Apollo 8' stamp and a black Houston, Texas stamp date 'July 20, 1969'. 

The piece is signed across the lower right portion of the image in bold blue felt pen ink by Neil Armstrong, signed and dedicated across the bottom white margin in bold black felt pen ink 'To Walter Hopferwieser, We came in peace for all mankind, Buzz Aldrin', and signed across the bottom white margin in bold black felt pen ink by Michael Collins. 

A superb image taken by the Commander 'Neil A. Armstrong' with a 70mm lunar surface camera. With a surface crease to the top left corner which does not affect the signatures. Mounted, framed and glazed.

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• A rare Bert Lahr autographed photo depicting him as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz

Bert Lahr (1895-1967) was an American stage and screen performer, best-known for his role as the Cowardly Lion in the timeless classic The Wizard of Oz.

Lahr began his career as a vaudeville performer on the Columbia Burlesque Circuit, and worked his way up to starring roles on Broadway, before heading to Hollywood in the 1930s.

He featured in several films before landing the part of the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 MGM musical, starring alongside Judy Garland, Ray Bolger and Jack Haley.

During filming, Lahr was known to ad-lib lines, causing numerous re-takes as his co-stars burst out laughing. When later asked by reporters if he was worried about being typecast, he replied, "Yeah, but how many parts are there for lions?"

Lahr returned to the stage later in his career, co-starring in the 1956 US premiere of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, and winning the 1964 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role in Foxy.

This vintage 10 x 8 photograph features Lahr in his full Cowardly Lion costume, and is strikingly signed "To Vickie, with love, Uncle Bert" at the top of the image in blue ink. The recipient was Lahr's niece Vickie Arthur.

Lahr was an infrequent signer of autographs during his life, and signed photographs of him in his most iconic role as the Cowardly Lion are highly rare.

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• A Bill Gates signed Microsoft business card dating from his tenure as CEO 

Bill Gates is the founder and former CEO of the Microsoft Corporation, one of the world’s biggest technology companies. Since stepping down in 2000, he has devoted himself to his philanthropic interests with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

A personal 2 x 3.5 inch business card from Microsoft founder Bill Gates, signed just below the company logo.

It identifies Gates as “Chairman & Chief Executive Officer” and dates from 1987-2000. Gates’ business cards are highly prized and signed specimens are rare.

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• A copy of Is This Good-bye Charlie Brown? signed by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz 

American cartoonist Charles Schulz (1922-2000) is best known for his comic strip Peanuts which featured the now iconic characters Charlie Brown and Snoopy.

Peanuts was published in over 2,600 newspapers, in 75 countries and 21 languages and reprints of the strip regularly appear in newspapers today.

Charles Schulz has signed this hard-back copy of Is This Good-bye Charlie Brown? on the inside cover page. 

He writes: "To Matt - Charles M. Schulz". The book is in excellent condition.

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

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. 

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.

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• A cowboy hat signed by Cher in silver pen on the brim

Cher began her career in the 1960s alongside then husband Sonny Bono. The duo had a string of hits throughout the decade and a popular TV show.

After they split in 1974, Cher launched a successful solo career – both as an actor and a singer. She has achieved a Billboard number one in every decade from the 1960s to the present, the only artist ever to do so.

Today she continues to tour and star in movies. 

This is a black faux snakeskin cowboy hat, featuring a signature from Cher on the brim in silver pen.

A fabulous piece of memorabilia that totally encapsulates the star's flamboyant style.

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• A signed copy of Clyde Tombaugh's Ten Special Commandments for a Would-Be Planet Hunter 

Clyde W. Tombaugh (1906-1997) is the American astronomer who discovered the dwarf planet Pluto in 1930. During the course of his career, he also discovered nearly 800 asteroids and the first object in the Kuiper Belt.

Tombaugh travelled the United States giving talks on astronomy, in particular, his discovery of Pluto. During the talks he would often share his light hearted version of the Ten Commandments called "Ten Special Commandments for a Would-Be Planet Hunter".

The commandments are as follows:

"Behold the heavens and the great vastness thereof, for a planet could be anywhere therein.

Thou shalt dedicate thy whole being to the search project with infinite patience and perseverance.

Though shalt set no other work before thee for the search shall keep thee busy enough.

Though shalt take the plates at opposition time lest thou be deceived by asteroids near their stationary positions.

Though shalt duplicate the plates with a pair at the same hour angle lest refraction distortions overtake thee.

Thou shalt give adequate overlap of adjacent plate regions lest the planet play hide and seek with thee.

Thou must not become ill in the dark of the moon lest thou fall behind the opposition point.

Thou shalt have no dates except at full moon when long exposure plates cannot be taken at the telescope.

Many false planets shall appear before thee, hundreds of them, and thou shalt check every one with a third plate.

Thou shalt not engage in any dissipation, that thy years may be many for thou shalt need them to finish the job!"

This is a souvenir copy of Ten Special Commandments for a Would-Be Planet Hunter according to Clyde Tombaugh measuring 8.5 x 11 inches. Tombaugh would sell these souvenir copies at talks he gave about his discovery of Pluto so that he could raise money for scholarships for young people to study astronomy.

This sheet has been signed "Clyde W. Tombaugh, 31 July 1984" in blue ink across the bottom. It features some archive folds which do not affect the autograph. Otherwise in excellent condition.

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• A huge press photograph of Coldplay signed by the whole band

Formed in London in 1996, Coldplay were one of the biggest bands of the early 2000s and released many of the defining tracks of the decade.

Today they remain a hugely successful live act. Their most recent album, A Head Full of Dreams, was released in 2017.

This is a very large (12 x 16 inch) photograph of Coldplay at the 2003 Brit Awards, where they were crowned Best British Group. They also received the Best British Album award for A Rush of Blood to the Head.

Each member of the band has signed beautifully in black marker pen.

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• Signed first edition copy of Walt Disney's America book
• Autographs of 12 Disney animators and voice actors, including four of the legendary "Nine Old Men"
• Additional drawings of Disney's most famous characters by those who created them

Walt Disney (1901 – 1966) was a celebrated voice actor, animator, film producer and entrepreneur who became an American cultural icon.

Having founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in 1923, Disney rose to fame with the creation of Mickey Mouse and became a household name across the world.

As a producer he pushed the boundaries of animation, releasing classics such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Dumbo and Fantasia, along with the Oscar-winning Mary Poppins.

Disney currently holds the record for the number of Academy Awards won by an individual, having won 22 Oscars from 59 nominations.

In 1955 Disney also established Disneyland, the most successful theme park ever built, which to date has attracted more than 650 million visitors.

Walt Disney's films have entertained millions of viewers, influenced generations of film-makers, and Walt Disney Studios remains the most famous and successful entertainment company in the world. 

This signed first edition book, Walt Disney's America from NY Abbeville Press's 1978 first printing is signed by 12 Disney animators and voice actors, who have autographed the inside front cover and opening pages in a variety of inks. Some of the signers have inscribed notes addressed to 'Terry', with superb additional sketches of some of the most beloved characters - including Mickey Mouse.

Some light ink transfer from the signatures and mild handling to the book, otherwise in fine condition.

The nickname "Nine Old Men" was given to the core animators at Walt Disney Productions, many of whom were in their thirties and forties at the time. Four of the 'Nine Old Men' have signed this item; Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Marc Davis and Ward Kimball who includes a sketch of Mickey.

Thomas was master craftsman of the 'baddie'; his work includes Cinderella's Stepmother, Alice in Wonderland's Queen of Hearts and Peter Pan's Captain Hook.

Likewise, Davis created Sleeping Beauty's iconic Maleficent and the evil Cruella De Vil from One Hundred and One Dalmatians.

Johnston first worked on Snow White before progressing to work in Peter Pan, Cinderella and Robin Hood.

Ward Kimball created Pinocchio's Jiminy Cricket, Lucifer, Jaq and Gus in Cinderella and the Mad hatter and Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland.

Animator Sam McKim has added a rare sketch of Abraham Lincoln, while Bill Justice, co-creator of Chip N'Dale, has added a sketch of Mickey Mouse.

Likewise, Ken Anderson (art director) and Andreas Deja (supreme villain animator) have also sketched Mickey Mouse, the latter showing slight yellow haloing.

The signatures of Tony Baxter (imaginer/designer), Carl banks (Donald Duck artist) Jack Wagner (original voice of the Magic Kingdom) and Herbert Ryman (background artist and designer of the Disneyland Castle) are also inscribed.

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• A large colour 14 x 11 inch printed still from classic American New Wave movie Easy Rider (1969)
• Signed in blue felt tip by Jack Nicholson, Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda
• PSA authenticated (G11602)

The release of Easy Rider lit a fire in Hollywood. It was the first blockbuster hit of the American New Wave, making stars of its cast and launching a new era of film making.

This is a huge (14 x 11 inch) colour still from Easy Rider, showing Jack Nicholson and Peter Fonda riding alongside Dennis Hopper on their iconic motorbikes. Each has signed in blue felt tip: Peter Fonda is at the top, Dennis Hopper below and Jack Nicholson at the bottom.

At the bottom right is a badge of authenticity from industry leading authenticator PSA.

Signed photographs from the cast of Easy Rider are in huge demand and rarely come up for sale, particularly in this large size. This may well be a unique opportunity to acquire one.

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Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were two of the world's biggest stars when they embarked on an affair on the set of Cleopatra (1961).

Their romance was tumultuous. Burton was a womaniser and both were heavy drinkers. Still they were unable to stay apart for long. They were married twice, with both weddings leading to divorce. So intense was the relationship that it has gone down in Hollywood history. 

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."

To our knowledge no other Taylor-Burton love letter has ever been offered for sale.

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

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• A rare 1970 Elvis Presley souvenir photo album autographed an amazing three times by Elvis – with photo authentication.

Elvis Presley (1935 – 1977) was one of the most iconic and influential performers of the 20^th century, known to his fans simply as "The King".

As one of the originators of rock and roll, he created a music style which changed the world and inspired generations of artists from the Beatles to the present day.

Presley remains the best-selling solo artist of all-time, with estimated record sales of 600 million.

Today millions of fans from around the world visit his former home of Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, and rare items of his memorabilia regularly sell for tens of thousands of dollars at auction.

RCA Records, Elvis’ record company, produced the photo album for Elvis’ 1970 tour dates in the US.

The 11 x 8.5 inch album features 20 heavyweight, textured pages of high quality colour and black & white photos of Elvis. 

Elvis has crisply autographed the item three times in black ballpoint.

• On the front cover he has signed “Elvis Presley”
• On the back cover he has signed “To Sandy from Elvis Presley”
• On the inside back cover he has signed “To Sandy, Elvis Presley”

Exceptional and highly unusual provenance: accompanied by a photograph of Elvis in a car, signing the front cover of this album.

Also accompanied by letters from respected auction houses Christie’s and Sotheby’s, both stating the piece appears genuine.

Elvis signed photographs are incredibly rare. Pieces signed three times are almost unheard of.

Crying out for a double-sided display frame and a prominent place on your wall.

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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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