£950.00
Founded by Fred Pontin in 1946, Pontin's was a major holiday operator within the UK throughout the 1960s. At its peak it had about 20 resorts throughout Europe.
Numerous entertainers performed, and continue to perform, at its resorts. Best known for his 1968 hit "Fire", the flamboyant singer Arthur Brown was hugely popular in the 1960s. "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown" was both the title of his 1968 album and that of his band. His appearance at Pontins was likely in support of this album.
The design is a classic piece of psychedelic poster art, created using bold primary colours.
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A large lock of Marilyn Monroe's hair, from the night she performed 'Happy Birthday Mr President' for John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden.
Accompanied by an instant photograph taken at the same event, bearing Monroe's lipstick kiss on the reverse.
Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) needs little introduction. An actress, model and entertainer, she is perhaps the most recognisable of all screen icons.
As such, her memorabilia is highly sought after, and continues to be widely collected across the world.
History of the lock of hair
On the night of May 19, 1962, Marilyn Monroe gave one of the most famous performances of her career, during a celebration for President John F. Kennedy's 45th birthday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Monroe sang a sultry version of 'Happy Birthday Mr President' whilst wearing a virtually see-through dress, fuelling rumours of a secret affair with the President which have endured to this day.
Just hours before her performance, Monroe visited her personal hairdresser Robert Champion at the Coiffures Americana Beauty Salon, housed within the luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue.
After he had cut and styled her hair, Monroe asked Champion to attend the event with her, so that he could touch up her hair and make-up just before she went on-stage.
Upon her arrival at Madison Square Garden, Monroe was presented with her outfit for the evening. Designed by Jean Louis, the highly revealing, flesh-coloured dress was covered in thousands of rhinestones, and was so tight Monroe had to be sewn into it, delaying her stage entrance.
Robert Champion recalled those moments before her performance:
"As we stood for a long time back stage at Madison Square Garden, she was very nervous about her appearance. I refreshed her lipcolor, powdered her nose, checked her blusher, and then she was announced again 'Miss Marilyn Monroe, better late than never.' In her very tight gown, she had difficulty ascending the make-shift stairs and I assisted her to the top where the spotlight hit her. The next is history."
The lock
This large lock of blonde hair was trimmed from Monroe's head by Champion just prior to that iconic performance, and remained in his personal collection for decades.
The lock measures approximately 2.57" by 1.18" (7cm by 3cm).
It is accompanied by an instant Polaroid photograph of Monroe, taken at a party following the event.
The image captures Monroe smiling radiantly, perhaps in relief after getting through the performance, and bears her lipstick print in place of a signature on the reverse.
Huge prices for Monroe memorabilia
For collectors, Marilyn Monroe remains the most sought-after of any star in Hollywood history, and her personal memorabilia regularly sells for seven-figure sums.
In December 2016, the dress worn by Monroe during her performance of 'Happy Birthday' sold at Julien's Auctions for $4.8 million, making it the second-most valuable dress ever sold.
The record is held by the famous white dress she wore in The Seven Year Itch, which sold in 2011 for $5.6 million.
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£90,000.00
King Henry VIII
Henry VIII was King of England from April 21, 1509 until his death on January 28, 1547.
Henry's six wives - Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Katherine Parr - are the stuff of legend.
Henry's struggles with Rome led to the separation of the Church of England from Papal authority, establishing him as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. The move changed the face of religion in England, and has had a lasting effect that is felt around the world today.
Henry VIII is also remembered as "one of the most charismatic rulers to sit on the throne of England", as well as a keen patron of the arts, himself being an author and composer.
DescriptionHenry's signature indicates he gives his assent to the request.
Four lines at the head of the document read:
"To the king o[u]r Soveraigne Lorde, Please it your hieghnes[s] of your mooste noble and abundant grace to gruante your mooste gracious, L[ett]ers patente under your grete Seale of England in due and sufficient fourme to, be made according to the teno[u]r herafter ensuing."
Following the addition of the King's signature, indicating that the Great Seal could now be attached, petitions such as this would have been passed on to the Chancery, where it would be formally copied and passed under the Great Seal.
The final copied document would then be passed to the petitioner and would not usually feature the king's signature.
The original, signed document - such as the example offered - would have been kept in the Crown Office.
This patent was successful and can be seen on the Patent Rolls dated Westminster, 6th March 1542.
In the upper left corner is a small notation reading, "Given me 8th June 1797 by Mr. Betts of Colchester" - presumably an addition from one of its early owners after it left the Crown Office.
Rarity
It is very rare for a document such as this one to leave the Crown Office.
Unsurprisingly, few documents have survived the 470+ years since Henry's death.
Those that have withstood the tests of time are mostly held in institutions such as the British Library, the National Archives and the British Museum, leaving very few in private hands.
This is a rare opportunity to own an example of King Henry VIII's signature on such a large document in pristine condition.
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Paul fraser collectibles
Original Fabric from the Spirit of St Louis signed by Charles Lindbergh
£75,000.00
Charles Augustus Lindbergh (1902-1974), nicknamed Slim, Lucky Lindy and The Lone Eagle, was a pioneering aviator who began his illustrious career in the skies as an US Air Mail pilot.
At the age of just 25, he emerged from obscurity to capture the $25,000 Orteig Prize for his solo non-stop flight from New York to Paris on May 20-21, 1927.
The event rocketed him to international fame, and there was "tremendous public hysteria" in America. He was awarded the nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his legendary flight.
His fame meant that he was able to champion the development of commercial aviation and Air Mail services in the United States, making him one of the leading figures responsible for the progression of aviation technology at the time.
Following his son, Charles Jr, being kidnapped and murdered in the "Crime of the Century" in 1932 - a result of Lindbergh's fame - his family moved overseas. They returned as America joined the second world war, with Lindbergh flying numerous combat missions in the Pacific Theatre.
Following the second world war, Lindbergh styled himself as an explorer, inventor and prize-winning author, as well as an environmentalist - a truly remarkable man.
An extraordinary piece of aviation history.
An original piece of fabric from the famed airplane The Spirit of St Louis - the largest we have seen. The fabric measures approximately 2" x 3" and is signed 'C. A. Lindbergh' in fountain pen by world famous aviator Charles Lindbergh.
It is in fine, clean condition.
The fabric is dated "Sept 6 - 1927" in a separate hand. This indicates that it was signed by Lindbergh while in Montana. That same day, he flew from Butte to Helena, returning on September 7 for several days rest as part of his US tour funded by Harry Guggenheim. The fabric would have been taken from the Spirit of St Louis during essential repairs carried out after landing. While small pieces of the Spirit of St Louis have appeared at auction, it is rare to find examples of this size. Items signed by Charles Lindbergh are even rarer, and are extremely sought after by aviation collectors, making this the undoubted highlight of your collection. Provenance The unusually large piece of cloth was acquired by James E. Morrow, a member of the welcoming committee for the triumphant American tour following Lindbergh’s historic flight. Morrow was a relative of Anne Spencer Morrow, who became Mrs. Charles Lindbergh in 1929. James E. Morrow was also the name of Anne’s paternal grandfather. Soon after Lindbergh’s return from France, millionaire aviation enthusiast Harry Guggenheim dipped into a promotional fund he had set up with his father, Daniel, to sponsor a nationwide tour for Lindbergh and the plane that he had made famous. Over a three-month period from July to October 1927, Lindbergh flew and touched down the Spirit of St. Louis in all forty-eight states, gave hundreds of speeches, and rode in countless parades, where he was greeted as a conquering hero by unprecedented adoring throngs. At the conclusion of the tour, Morrow presented the item to his daughter, Vera M. Morrow (1907–2004), who had earlier accompanied him to the legendary ticker-tape parade for Lindbergh in Manhattan on June 21, 1927. This exceptional piece of aviation history is available on our layaway plan with the option to spread payment over 12-18 months.
All items are guaranteed authentic and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and free insured worldwide delivery.
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Historically important metal food bowl, two wooden spoons and a wooden fork owned by Mahatma Gandhi, "Father of the Nation"
Used by Gandhi during his incarceration at Aga Khan Palace in Pune, as well as at the Palm-Bun house, Juhu Beach, Mumbai
Provenance from shipping magnate Sumati Morajee, owner of Palm-Bun house, who cared for Gandhi while there
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi or Bapu (Father of Nation), was the pre-eminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights, and freedom across the world.
Gandhi is known in India as the Father of the Nation. Gandhi's birthday, 2 October, is commemorated in India as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Gandhi's philosophy was not theoretical but one of pragmatism, that is, practising his principles in the moment. Asked to give a message to the people, he would respond, "My life is my message".
Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 while he was walking to address a prayer meeting.
Without doubt one of the most historically important collections we have ever had the pleasure of offering
A collection of eating utensils, comprising a metal food bowl, a simple wooden fork and two wooden spoons belonging to Mahatma Gandhi.
The food bowl measures approximately 2½" high by 8" in diameter and carries the stamped numbers to its base '208/42'. The spoons and fork are approximately 6½" in length. All items are in good condition.
The items belonged to Gandhi and were used by him at the Palm-Bun house, owned by shipping magnate Sumati Morarjee, at Juhu Beach, Bombay (Mumbai).
According to Morarjee family lore the utensils were used by Gandhi during his incarceration at the Aga Khan's palace in Pune from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944, and then taken to their home at Juhu Beach.
Gandhi first visited the Palm-Bun house in 1915 after his return from South Africa. He also spent extended periods of time at the home, most notably in 1924 after his surgery for appendicitis and in 1944 after his release from detention at the Aga Khan's palace in Pune.
During both extended visits Gandhi was cared for by Sumati Morarjee, a close associate of Gandhi's who was actively involved in the underground movement for independence.
Morarjee is also known as the first woman of Indian shipping, and is credited as the first woman in the world to head an organisation of ship owners, the Indian National Steamship Owners Association. In 1971 she was awarded the second highest civilian honour of India for her civil services.
These items were subsequently kept by Sumati Morarjee at her home, in an unofficial museum. The items are documented in the book Sumati Morarjee Felicitation Volume (1970) and also in Vithalbhai Jhaveri's epic film biography of Gandhi.
Provenance: The collection of Sumati Morarjee.
An exceptional collection of Gandhi memorabilia.
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