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• A set of 15 signed Newsweek covers from Randall Salas' Abraham Lincoln Collection
• Featuring signatures from Charlie Chaplin, Carl Lewis and George W Bush

Randall Salas has been collecting signed magazine covers since 1959. You can own an exclusive selection of Newsweek covers from his legendary Abraham Lincoln Collection today.

A set of 15 signed Newsweek covers acquired by legendary collector Randall Salas. Each item is accompanied by a letter of provenance from Salas. 

• A cover of a March 26, 1973 edition of Newsweek featuring a dedicated autograph from cover star Charlie Chaplin
• A cover of a September 23, 1985 edition of Newsweek featuring an autograph from cover star Clint Eastwood
• A cover of an October 27, 1997 edition of Newsweek featuring an autograph from cover star Pelé 
• A cover of a May 28, 1984 edition of Newsweek featuring an autograph from cover star Robert Redford
• A cover of an October 20, 1986 edition of Newsweek featuring a dedicated autograph from cover star Paul Newman
• A Newsweek cover from July 30, 1984 signed in blue marker pen by cover star Carl Lewis
• A Newsweek cover from September 6, 1982 with an autograph from tennis player Martina Navratilova
• A cover of an October 2, 1967 edition of Newsweek featuring an autograph from cover star Carl Yastrzemski
• A cover of a May 29, 1967 edition of Newsweek featuring a dedicated autograph from cover star Mario Andretti
• A cover of a January 23, 1984 edition of Newsweek featuring an autograph from cover star Henry Kissinger
• A cover of a December 21, 1981 edition of Newsweek featuring a dedicated autograph from cover star Nancy Reagan
• A cover of an October 11, 1982 edition of Newsweek featuring an autograph from cover star Helmut Kohl
• A cover of a February 10, 1997 edition of Newsweek featuring an autograph from cover star Madeleine Albright in silver pen
• A cover of a February 28, 2000 edition of Newsweek featuring an autograph from cover star George W Bush
• A cover of a September 18, 2002 edition of Newsweek featuring autographs from cover stars Colin Powell and Donald Rumsfeld

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• An exquisite 18k gold ring gifted by Queen Mary to a member of the royal household in 1885

Queen Mary (1867-1953), also known as Mary of Teck, was the wife of King George V, who reigned in the United Kingdom from 1910 to 1936.

Queen Mary was the grandmother of Elizabeth II, and mentored her during the present Queen’s formative years. Mary was also the great grandmother of Prince Charles, who called her “Gan Gan,” a name today affectionally used by the current Prince George for the Queen. 

Mary married the then Prince George in 1893, her second cousin once removed. She had initially been engaged to his elder brother, Prince Albert, prior to Albert’s death from influenza in 1892.  (Queen Victoria had long been an admirer of the young Mary).

Known as an occasionally stern yet often kind and humorous woman, Mary was born into the minor royal Teck family, and grew up in the UK.

In 1885, aged just 18, Queen Mary gifted the 18k gold ring to a member of the royal household.

Inscribed on the inner: “From HRH Princess Mary Xmas 1885”.

The hallmarks on the inner ring reveal it was likely made by renowned silver and goldsmith Samuel Whitford in London in 1879.

Superb provenance: consigned to us by the recipient’s great grandson. The recipient accompanied the Tecks on several royal overseas tours.

The Teck family traditionally presented Christmas presents of this magnitude to their senior domestic staff.

Jewellery from the British royal memorabilia seldom appears as auction. As such, this is a rare opportunity to own an intimate piece of the royal story.

Weight: 7.4 grams, giving an approximate gold value of £250 as of April 2020.

2.5 cm in diameter. Very good condition for its age.

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• A rare promotional card for Are You Experienced signed by Jimi Hendrix and Noel Redding  

Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) is one of the most important musicians of the 20th century, regarded by many as the greatest guitarist of all time. 

Described by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music", Hendrix's music continues to influence generations of musicians almost 50 years after it was recorded. 

He became one of the most famous figures of the 1960s counterculture movement, and his performance of The Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock remains one of the most defining moments in American pop culture history. 

In addition to his skills as a musician and songwriter, Hendrix also became known for his colourful style, which perfectly captured the flamboyant spirit and energy of the late 1960s. 

Today Jimi Hendrix memorabilia is amongst the most sought-after by music fans and collectors around the world, with his instruments, clothing and signed artifacts regularly selling for huge sums at auction. 

This fine promotional card bears signatures from two members of the Jimi Hendrix Experience; bassist Noel Redding and Jimi Hendrix himself.  

Signatures from the band are rare. They were together for less than three years between 1966 and 1969, before splitting acrimoniously. During hat time, they released three of the most influential albums in rock history.  

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• A George Harrison signed cheque dated 1972 and made out to legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker

George Harrison (1943-2001) was lead guitarist in The Beatles. He began playing with John Lennon and Paul McCartney while they were still in The Quarrymen. Harrison contributed much to the Beatle's signature sound. His fascination with Indian mysticism led the band to adopt sounds and ideas from the subcontinent. Following the Beatles’ split in 1970, he enjoyed a successful solo career.  

A National Westminster Bank cheque dated “10th Feb, 1972”. The sum is £37.32, around £500 in today’s money.  Bearing a  superb signature from Harrison in blue pen.

Harrison and Baker ran in the same circles and worked together at various times throughout their careers.  

The piece is accompanied by a letter of authenticity from renowned Beatles expert Frank Caiazzo describing it as "one of the best examples of a George Harrison check in existence".

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• A London 2012 Olympic torch in glass encasement
• One of two carried by speedboat during the opening ceremony

In 2012, London became the first city to host the modern Olympic Games three times – having previously hosted in 1908 and 1948. The spectacular event featured more than 10,000 athletes from 204 nations, with new world records set in archery, swimming and weightlifting. It’s also remembered for the inventive opening ceremony overseen by director Danny Boyle and featuring iconic Britons including Queen Elizabeth II, Daniel Craig and Dizzee Rascal.

This London 2012 Olympic torch with glass encasement is one of two produced especially for the speedboat segment of the spectacular opening ceremony (one was a reserve).

The glass encasement ensured the flame could withstand water spray and wind as the speedboat sped up the Thames. David Beckham accompanied the torch during this stage, handing it on to Steve Redgrave.

It is not known whether this torch is the one carried by Beckham or is the reserve. 

Sold with its original carry case and a certificate of authenticity from the official organisers of the Games. 

An impossibly rare and hugely desirable piece of London 2012 Olympic history. Highly coveted by Olympic collectors.  

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• A Remo drum skin signed by all three original members of Blondie in a 2012 show

Blondie’s distinctive sound made them one of the most intriguing alternative acts of the 20th century, achieving huge success through the 1970s and 1980s with songs like Heart of Glass, Rapture and Call Me. They are still releasing records and touring today.

A 14.5-inch snare drum skin signed by singer Debbie Harry, drummer Clem Burke and guitarist Chris Stein – the three longest serving original members of the band.

Burke used this skin in a 2012 Australian performance and has marked it with the set list for the show. The piece is marked with the location and date (“Dec 12 2012 Townsville”). A must-have for Blondie fans.

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Queen, formed in London in 1970, are one of the most unique acts in rock history.. Led by flamboyant singer Freddie Mercury, one of the era’s most charismatic front men, their brand of bombastic, operatic rock proved hugely successful. Their career was cut short by Mercury’s death from complications caused by AIDS in 1991. 

An 8 x 10 inch photograph of Queen in concert signed by all four members of the band (Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon). Housed in a 16 x 14 inch frame. Rare. 

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• A December 11, 1972 clipped Time Magazine cover page signed by Apollo astronaut Jack Schmitt

Jack Schmitt was the Lunar Module pilot during the Apollo 17 mission and the second to last person ever to walk on the Moon.

This is a clipped front cover of a December 11, 1972 edition of Time Magazine, featuring the crew of the Apollo 17 mission on the cover. It’s signed by Lunar Module Pilot Jack Schmitt. The cover displays light folds. Good condition.

• A June 4, 1962 clipped front page of Newsweek magazine signed by Mercury astronaut M Scott Carpenter

M Scott Carpenter (1925-2013) was one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts selected to launch the US manned space programme in 1958. He flew the Mercury-Atlas 7, becoming the second US astronaut to orbit the Earth.

This is a clipped front cover of a June 4, 1962 copy of Newsweek, featuring Mercury-Atlas 7 astronaut M Scott Carpenter as the cover star. Carpenter has signed in black ink on his image. The cover displays folds and three small tears on the left hand side.

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• A March 26, 1965 clipped front page of Time Magazine signed by Alexei Leonov

Alexei Leonov is a Russian cosmonaut who in 1965 became the first person to perform a spacewalk. In 1975 he commanded the Soyuz capsule on the Soyuz-Apollo mission, the first collaborative mission between the US and the Soviet Union.

A March 26, 1965 front page cover of Time Magazine featuring a cover image of Alexei Leonov’s 1965 spacewalk. Leonov has signed on the white section of the image. Folded but in fine condition.

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• An ink portrait of Charlie Chaplin signed by Chaplin himself
• Dated to 1952, around the release of Limelight

Charlie Chaplin was the biggest star of the silent era. Born into poverty in Victorian London, he found his way to the stage and on to Hollywood. He came up with the character of the Tramp in 1914. By 1918 he was a household name. A string of classic movies followed, including The Kid (1921), Modern Times (1936) and The Great Dictator (1940).

This is an ink portrait of Charlie Chaplin in character as the Tramp by the Danish artist Carl Werner Skogholm. The drawing is dated 1952. Chaplin has signed to the right of his portrait “Yours truly, Charlie Chaplin”.

The date means Chaplin likely signed around the release of Limelight (1952), in which he stars as a washed up former comedian. This is around the time he was barred from America for being a suspected communist. 

The item is fixed to a paper backing with tape to the top left and bottom right corners. 

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• An illustrated portrait of Albert Einstein signed by Einstein himself

Albert Einstein was one of the world’s greatest scientific minds. In the early 1900s he developed the Theory of Relativity, a work that set the template for 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 a lifelong commitment to pacifism. Over the course of his career he published hundreds of scientific papers. His name has become interchangeable with genius.  

This is a 4.9 x 3.9 inch illustration of Albert Einstein by the Danish amateur artist Carl Werner Skogholm. Skogholm drew portraits of celebrities and sent them off with a request they be returned with a signature. Einstein was one of those who obliged. 

Einstein has signed crisply in black pen, dating the piece "48". One of the nicest Einstein autographs you'll see. 

This is a unique piece of considerable charm. Demand for Einstein’s signature has been growing, with one inscribed paper selling for a record $1.5m in 2017.

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• A bold signature from Mahatma Gandhi in black fountain pen dated April 4, 1947
• Gandhi signs twice: once in Hindi and again in English

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) is celebrated as the father of modern India. Gandhi trained as a lawyer in London. On a posting to South Africa he experienced intense racism. He pushed back. On returning to India in 1915 he became a leader in the Indian nationalist movement. Gandhi insisted on non-violent means to effect change. Over time his influence among ordinary Indians grew.

He renounced all worldly possessions, wearing only a simple cotton dhoti (loincloth). The British did all they could to destroy his influence. He spent years in prison. Finally on August 15, 1947, after almost 300 years of colonial control, India declared independence. Gandhi did not live to see the first free elections. A Hindu nationalist assassinated him as he walked to a prayer meeting in New Delhi in January 1948. Gandhi remains a figurehead for independence movements the world over.

Gandhi signs on this 6.5 x 4 inch sheet on April 27, 1947 – just over four months before India’s Independence Day and 10 months before his death. At the time of signing he and other members of the Indian National Congress were in talks with the British over partition.

Gandhi was deeply opposed to splitting the sub-continent along religious lines. However, with tensions rising between Hindus and Muslims, he was outvoted. 

The page bears two signatures from Gandhi. One is in Hindi. The other, below, is in English: “M.K. Gandhi.”

Gandhi’s signature is scarce and increasingly in-demand.

This is a rare chance to own two in one.

The piece comes affixed to a paper backing. The condition is excellent.

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• A hugely rare cricket cover from a 1992 match between the Royal Household Cricket Club and the Vic Lewis Cricket Club, signed by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip
• Also signed by legendary cricketers Sir Don Bradman, Sir Gary Sobers, Sir Colin Cowdry and Sir Richard Hadlee
• Date stamped August 1, 1992 in Windsor Castle

Band leader Vic Lewis founded his legendary cricket club in 1957. The team was made up of an ever-changing roster of cricketing heroes and celebrities. It made regular appearances at charity matches around the world.  

This is one of four (3/4) signed and numbered covers from a 1992 match between the Royal Household Cricket Club and the Vic Lewis Cricket Club held to benefit the Terrence Higgins Trust.

The signers are: Don Bradman, Prince Philip, Vic Lewis, Gary Sobers, Colin Cowdrey, Richard Hadlee, John Jayear and Tom Graveney. A letter of provenance from well-known stamp dealer Mel Brown accompanies the item.

A huge rarity - signed by royalty and several knights. 

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• A typed, signed March 1, 1976 letter from Marlon Brando to Francis Ford Coppola’s lawyers agreeing to take on the role of Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now
• Very fine condition

Marlon Brando began his acting career at the Shattuck Military Academy in the early 1940s. When he was expelled he left for New York.  His big break came in 1947, when he won the role of vicious husband Stanley Kowalski in the original run of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire. He went on to star in some of the most iconic movies of the 20th century, including On the Waterfront (1954), The Godfather (1972) and Apocalypse Now (1979).

A March 1, 1976 letter from Marlon Brando to Francis Ford Coppola, sent care of Coppola’s legal team Schiff, Hirsch & Schreiber. In the text Brando agrees to take on the role of Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, one of his most celebrated performances. To the bottom right is a very fine signature in blue pen. The significance of this letter to the making of the movie cannot be overstated.

It reads in full: “Gentlemen: Reference is hereby made to that certain agreement dated as of March 1, 1976, by and between you and Colony Productions Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Employment Agreement’) with respect to my services in the motion picture entitled ‘APOCALYPSE, NOW.’

“This will acknowledge that I have read the Employment Agreement and am familiar with all of the terms covenants and conditions thereof.

“In order to induce you to enter into the Employment Agreement, I hereby:”

“1. Guarantee to you the full and faithful performance of each and every term, covenant and condition therein undertaken by Colony Productions Inc.

“2. Undertake and agree to do and perform each and every term, covenant, condition and act which I may be called upon to perform pursuant thereto.

“3. Undertake and agree to look solely to Colony Productions Inc. for the payment of any compensation payable to me thereunder.

“Very truly yours, Marlon Brando”.

The letter is typed on A4-sized paper and is in very fine condition. A must-have for any fan of Apocalypse Now and the American New Wave.

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• A 2003 first day cover signed by Prince William
• Also included are four stamps bearing William’s likeness and another unsigned first day cover
• Click here to find out more about this piece 

Prince William, born 1982, is the son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and second in line to the throne of the United Kingdom. He served with the RAF for four years from 2009-2013 before taking on his full-time royal duties.  

A unique Prince William signature on a June 6, 2003 first day cover featuring four stamps bearing his likeness.

The original owner of this signature acquired it at an event hosted by homeless charity Solas in Newport, South Wales in 2003. Homelessness is a cause close to William’s heart. He attended the event with his father, Prince Charles.

While there, the owner quietly asked if he wouldn’t mind signing. It’s against royal protocol for the Windsors to autograph personal items, making this a fabulous rarity. It's accompanied by a letter of provenance and a photograph of the prince signing. 

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• A Stephen Hawking thumbprint signed copy of the Radio Times (January 2016)
• Find out more about this piece here 

Stephen Hawking was a young graduate studying physics at Cambridge University when he received a diagnosis of ALS, an incurable form of motor neurone disease. Doctors gave him two years to live.

In the face of this progressive illness, he continued his work, producing several brilliant papers on black holes. In 1988 he published A Brief History of Time, one of the most successful popular science books ever printed. Hawking became a major celebrity – easily the most famous scientist of his generation. He died in 2018, aged 76. 

By the 1970s, Stephen Hawking lost the ability to write by hand. As his fame grew following the publication of A Brief History of Time (1988), he began to receive requests for autographs.

He started signing with a thumbprint dipped in ink and placed on the page.  

This is a thumbprint signed copy of the Radio Times from January 2016, featuring a feature on Hawking’s upcoming Reith Lecture.

The condition is good, with some creasing and scuffing to the cover and internal pages and a light crease to the autographed page. 

The inscription alongside reads: “To Sandra, wherein much fun is to be had. This is right thumb print of professor Stephen Hawking witness by George Zhoeo and Steve Growett.” Dated 20/01/2016.

The original owner received the signature via her brother-in-law, who was one of Hawking’s nursing staff. Included are several photographs of Hawking signing. 

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• A signed Napoleon Bonaparte letter with superb content

Napoleon is one of history's most iconic figures. As emperor of France, his actions shaped Europe in the early 19th century. Following a successful coup d'etat in 1799, Napoleon went on to conquer much of Western and North Eastern Europe.

Defeat in Russia and at the Battle of Waterloo has diminished the stature of his achievements. However, Napoleon was key in establishing a legal framework used across much of Europe, based on Meritocracy, and his military strategy is still widely studied across the world.

When the Duke of Wellington was asked to name the greatest general of the day, he answered: "In this age, in past ages, in any age, Napoleon."

A rare letter from Napoleon to his stepson Eugene de Beuharnais, dated January 19, 1806 - five days after Eugene’s marriage to Princess Augusta of Bavaria.

Displayed in a black backing with portraits of the two men. 

Napoleon is clearly delighted on Eugene's behalf. The letter reads (probably in a secretarial hand): “I arrived at Stuttgart yesterday evening at six, I will stay here today and leave tomorrow. I am sending you a Moniteur [Le Moniteur Universel – a Parisian newspaper] where you will see news about yourself.

“Two kisses to Princess Augusta, one for me, the other for the Empress [Josephine – Eugene’s mother and Napoleon’s wife].”

Napoleon signs “Napole”, a rare shortened variant of his signature. 

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In 1961 Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space, performing a single orbit of Earth in the Vostok 1 capsule. He was killed in 1968, during a regular training flight.    

This excellent 4.4 x 6 inch postcard sized photograph of Yuri Gagarin is signed in Cyrillic (Гага́рин) to the top left in purple ink. Gagarin’s autograph is rare as he died only seven years after his now legendary flight. This specimen is well centred and in very fine condition.

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• A signed presentation photograph of Lord Louis Mountbatten in an original blue presentation frame by Jarrolds of Knightsbridge

Lord Mountbatten was the second cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and an uncle to Prince Philip. He was Supreme Allied Commander in South East Asia during the Second World War and later served as Viceroy of India, First Sea Lord and Chief of Defence. He was assassinated by the IRA in 1979.

This is a signed portrait of Lord Mountbatten in an 8.2 x 11 inch blue leather frame by Jarrolds of Knightsbridge, London. At the top is the symbol of the Order of the Garter – an elite organisation whose members are chosen by the British monarch.  

Below is Mountbatten’s signature: "Mountbatten of Burma". The ink in the “M” of “Mountbatten” has oxidised somewhat but remains perfectly legible. 

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• A document signed by Victor Hugo in vibrant blue ink

Victor Hugo is the author of some of the most celebrated works in French literature, including Les Miserables (1862) and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831).

Victor Hugo signed this 10.7 x 8 inch document while in exile in Jersey in 1852-1855. A staunch republican, he left France when Napoleon III seized power in 1851. The paper is connected with a society of French refugees on the island and is signed by several other names. 

Hugo left Jersey for Guernsey in 1855, where he wrote Les Miserables. 

Victor Hugo’s autograph is by far the largest and most prominent. He signs in deep blue ink – the “g” of his second name extending in a breathtaking loop. It’s a spectacular specimen and rare in this colour (Hugo tended to use black ink).

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• A first day cover of the US 1973 10c Mineral Heritage issue signed by legendary investor Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett is one of the world’s pre-eminent investors. He’s affectionately known as the “Oracle of Omaha” for his extraordinary talent at spotting growing trends in the market. Buffett has been a stamp lover since childhood and has built one of history’s most impressive collections.

This is a 3.5 x 6.5 inch first day cover of the US 1973 10c Mineral Heritage issue, bearing a large and visually appealing signature from Warren Buffett in blue ballpoint.

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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)
• Find out more about this item - click here

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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• 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 
• Find out more about this fascinating letter here 

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.

The letter is likely written by a secretary and reads: “…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 Napoleon 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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