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We are pleased to maintain “want lists” for clients at no charge. You are under no obligation until you order an item. All of the material we sell comes with our unconditional guarantee of satisfaction.

Please inquire for more information. Please contact us by telephone at 716-830-8000 or via email at ron@weekesautographs.com if you do not see something herein. This is only a small listing of our extensive inventory.

FEATURED ITEM

(FELIPE IV of Castile and Aragon)

We are pleased to offer an authentic, handwritten, calligraphic 24 page manuscript on vellum from the reign of King Felipe IV of Aragon and Castile. Written by a court notary, the document concerns a royal debt (juro) of 32,158 maravedis in favor of one named Cristobal de la Fuente Zapata,a member of the nobility and from the court of King Felipe IV. The final page of the manuscript is signed by both notarial officials or scribes who created the document. The manuscript makes numerous references to King Felipe and two gentlemen: Don Pedro Vaca and Senor Gaspar de Robles, the King's Treasurer (Gaspar de Robles Gorbalán , nació en Toledo y fue Regidor de esta ciudad en el banco de Caballeros., Familiar del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición y Caballero de Calatrava en el año 1640)?

A member of the Madrid State Government archives has provided a brief transcription of a portion of this fascinating document. The winning bidder will receive a more in-depth translation. We hired a graduate student in mediaeval studies to perform the translation at a cost of $200 (your gain). Following is a very brief summary translation of the document:

Carta of Felipe of Spain, 1645

The King Felipe speaks of the perogatives of the royal household as well a necessity to band together and raise funds for the crusades, war efforts, and the activities in the Indies. He is evidently selling property or the right to royal service payments to Gaspar de Robles of Toledo in exchange for a sum toward those efforts. The document states that is an official transaction, signed by the hand of the king and by Pedrovaca de Herrera, the royal Treasurer.

The document proceeds to a detailed legal and financial discussion equivalent currencies of the 75000 ducados. It specifies the rates of exchange for those currencies, in particular between ducados, marevedis and reales de plata.

The King Felipe emphasizes that Gaspar de Robles got an advantageous bargain, stressing that buy or sell for many times the price what the king is offering in the form of a carta de Privileji that stands in for the recognition of the royal debt. The manuscript portion on the final page gives some indication that it may indeed have been resold to other parties.

Given its age and rarity, this manuscript is in very good to fine condition. In wrappers, bound by yellow and red cords, (the color of the Hapsburgs?). Each page of the interior manuscript has a notarial cypher at the bottom, further attesting to the authenticity of the document. $ 475

One of the signatories on this manuscript was Juan de Solarzano Pereira, ex equestri militia et in Supremis Castellae/&Indiarum Confilius Senatoris/de justa Indiarum Occidentalium). Source: Historical Nuggets: Bibliotheca Americana or a Descriptive Account of My Collection of Rare Books Relating to America, Henry Stevens).

ROCKWELL, Norman (1894-1978)

Autograph Display consisting of an important-content Typewritten Letter Signed, one page, dated 1962, written on his personal letterhead. Quaint letter to a New York editor explaining that he is not a writer. Letter reads: "Thank you for your letter but I am just no writer. If you want to pay the $500 to someone to put something together from my autobiography 'My Adventures as an Illustrator,' (published by Doubleday and Company) I would be delighted. If you do use it please let me know when it is published. It would be fun to read it." Professionally double-matted along with a 8"x10" black and white glossy vintage photograph of Rockwell sitting before a canvas of a Saturday Evening Post cover, brushes in hand. Encased in museum-grade conservation glass and an appropriate wooden frame. One of the nicest display pieces we have ever offered. $ 525

20th-century American painter and illustrator. Rockwell's work enjoyed a broad popular appeal in the United States, where he was most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios created for The Saturday Evening Post over more than four decades. Rockwell was commissioned to paint the portraits of Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, as well as those of foreign figures, including Gamal Abdel Nasser and Jawaharlal nehru. One of his last works was a portrait of Judy Garland in 1969. A custodianship of Rockwell's paintings and drawings was established with Rockwell's help and is located near his home in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Photo credit: D. Jay Culver, 1944 - Culver Pictures, NYC

Rockwell was prolific and produced over 4,000 original works, most of which have either been destroyed by fire or are in permanent collections. He was also commissioned to illustrate over 40 books. Rockwell's work was dismissed by serious art critics in his lifetime. Many of his works appear overly sweet in modern critics' eyes, especially the Saturday Evening Post covers, which tend toward idealistic or sentimentalized portrayals of American life -- this has led to the often-deprecatory adjective "Rockwellesque." Nevertheless, in later years, Rockwell began to receive more attention as a painter when he chose more serious subjects such as the series on racism for Look magazine. One example of this more serious work is The Problem we All Live With, that dealt with the issue of school racial integration. The painting depicts a young African-American girl, Ruby Bridges, flanked by white federal marshalls, walking to school past a wall defaced by racist graffiti. In 1999, The New Yorker art critic Peter Schjeldahl said of Rockwell in ArtNews: "Rockwell is terrific. It's become too tedious to pretend he isn't."

A REMARKABLE FOLIO on the theatre of the 1920s:

Leon Moussinac's Tendances nouvelles du theatre (1931).

New Trends of the Theater: the choice of scenery, costumes, staging details of the representations used in the most original of these last fifteen years, preceded by remarks on recent research on the art of theater.

Edited by Leon Moussinac (1890-1964). Published by: Editions Albert Levy, Paris, 1931.

This remarkable, large, folio contains 124 leaves of collotype plates, many in color pochoir by Saude. In unbound sheets, as issued with some tissue guards. A limited edition run of 600, of which this is number 208.

The unbound sheets allow for easy display of the color plates, which are arranged by title of the ballet or play. This is a remarkable panorama of avant-garde theatre, mostly European, but including Soviet and even some American productions of the first third of the 20th century. As important as the study of Diaghilev, Craig, Max Reinhart, Appia, Piscator, there is also a comprehensive study of smaller companies who were influenced by major companies such as the Ballets Russes.

The wealth of illustrations showing the décor and actual productions from a wide range of avant-garde productions during the 1920s is nowhere else collected. Contains actual photographic reproductions from performances or rehearsals such as Parade, a ballet for Diaghilev with costumes by Picasso. The introduction discusses the importance of the Ballets Russes as “L’organisme vivant de la Scene” and pictures three Diaghilev: Gontcharova’s costume for Lithurgie, 1924 and Picasso’s Le Tricorne, 1919, and Larionoff’s Bouffon 1915.

Leon Moussinac was one of the most prolific and influential French critics/theorists of theatre and cinema during the 1920s.

In fair to good condition, this folio has a retail, fair-market, value of $2,500-3,000. The copy we offer here is in poor to fair condition, spine separated, generalized water staining on many pages. Nevertheless, many of the collotype plates depicting costumes, and black and white photography are NOT DAMAGED and in good condition.

This is an excellent reference work which we offer, as is, for $475.00 (a nominal additional sum for shipping and handling as it is a heavy volume). We can also arrange to have minor conservation done to the folio for $250.00 that would, at least, reinforce the spine and pages. One may wish to purchase the volume for the plates alone which could be matted and framed.

Unique James Montgomery Flagg Signed Quip

CRONKITE, Walter Leland

"The Most Trusted Man in America"

Postal first day cover honoring another journalist, Walter Lippman, signed in blue marker pen. Professionally matted along with a 11"x14" black and white litho print portrait of Cronkite with his ever present pipe, from an original by Canadian photographer Yousef Karsh. Handsome display piece. $ 175

(1916-2009) American broadcast journalist, best known as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years (1962-81). During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 70s, he was often cited in viewer opinion polls as the most trusted man in America because of his professional experience and kindly demeanor. Although he reported many events from 1937-81, including bombing in WWII, the Nuremberg trials, combat in the Vietnam War, the death of JFK, Watergate, adn the Iran hostage Crisis, he was known for extensive TV coverage of the US space program. He was the only non-NASA recipient of a Moon-rock award. The Beatles' first American TV broadcast was with Walter Cronkite. Following one of his central tenets to "report the news, don't become it," the title "anchor" was invented as his role. In later years, he appeared as a host or guest-star in many TV broadcasts.

TRUDEAU, Pierre (1919-2000)

Official color portrait: 5"x7" matte-finish image. Nota bene: this is the "authorized signature - autopen" portrait not authentically signed. Photograph is in excellent condition. $ 50

The fifteenth Prime Minister of Canada from 1968 to 1979 and, again, from 1980 to 1984. Phenomenally charasmatic politician who, from the late 1960s to mid 80s dominated the Canadian political scene and aroused passionate reactions. "Reason before passion" was his personal motto.

SABIN, ALBERT (1906-93)

Immunologist. born in Bialystok, Russia (now Poland). Emigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1920 and began to concentrate on biomedical research even in medical school. At Cincinnati Children's Hospital and the University of Cincinnati (1938-69), he developed the live-virus vaccine against poliomyletis as well as vaccines against dengue and sandfly fever. The first tests of his polio vaccine were conducted in 1957, outside the U.S. because American doctors were not convinced that the method was better than Jonas Salk's killed-virus vaccine; the American tests began in 1960, and in the years since, the Sabin vaccine has replaced the Salk vaccine throughout most of the world. At age 77, Sabin was paralyzed for three months by polyneuritis, thus interrupting his research in Mexico on an aerosol measles vaccine. He consulted with the National Institutes of Health on programs to vaccinate children in impoverished areas of the world (1984-86). Among his many awards are the 1971 national Medcal of Science and, in 1986, the Medal of Freedom. Small signed white card, accomplished in fountain pen ink. Professionally matted with a four-stamp plate of commemorative stamps. Wonderful gift for a physician or scientist. $ 165

PERON, JUAN (1895-1974)

Dedicated and signed formal portrait dated October 1951. Text in Spanish: A la senora Dona Alba Maria de Ramirez, con todo mi afecto y consideracion, Buenos Aires, 5 de octubre 1951. Translation: To Mrs. Alba Maria Rodriguez, with all my love and regards." Image size 6.5"x8.5". Fine condition other than top corners lightly bent and with a light crease at bottom right that barely touches the signature. $ 275

Argentine colonel and politician, elected President of Argentina three times after serving in several government positions including Labor Secretary and Vice President. He returned to power in 1973 and served for nine months, until his death in 1974 when he was succeeded by his third wife Isabel Martínez. Perón and his second wife, Eva, were immensely popular among many of the Argentine people and are still considered icons by the Peronist Party.

Founder of the

Roycroft Movement

HUBBARD, ELBERT (1856-1915) - Author, publisher, lecturer, philosopher, founder of the Roycroft Movement. Died tragically with the sinking of the Lusitania. Desirable one-page, Typewritten Letter Signed on Roycroft letterhead, 1912, promoting his Fra subscription services. Very good condition. Accompanied by a 4"x6" sepia tone litho-print image of Hubbard. Professionally double-matted in dark green and siena tones, and framed. $ 395

ROOSEVELT, ANNA ELEANOR (1884-1962) - First Lady, author, United Nations representative, humanitarian. White House Typewritten Letter Signed, one page, 1940, to a Texas State Representative regarding the adoption of a child by one of his constituents. Accompanied by original envelope. Professionally double-matted along with a 5"x7" black and white, matte-finish image of Mrs. Roosevelt speaking before the United Nations. Glass and gilt wooden frame. $ 650

WIESEL, ELIE (1928- ) Romanian-born novelist and human rights activist. His life has been devoted to writing and speaking about the Holocaust, with the aim of ensuring that it is never forgotten. Wiesel was one of the principal forces behind establishing the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. His first novel, Night (1956), was first published in Yiddish, and is based on his experiences in the death camps. Other novels include Dawn (1961) and Jews of Silence (1967). He has authored plays, retellings of biblical stories, and Hasidic tales. In 1986 Wiesel received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work as a "messenger to mankind". Signature on a white card, professionally matted in rich burgundy leatherette board along with a color, lithoprint portrait of Wiesel from an original photograph by Yousef Karsh of Ottawa. Overall dimensions are 11.5"x15.25".

$ 175

"...I have one thing that counts, and that is my heart; it burns in my soul, it aches in my flesh, and it ignites my nerves: that is my love for the people and Peron." Evita

DUARTE DE PERON, MARIA EVA (Evita) (1919-1952)

Click for Larger Image

WILLIAMS, TENNESSEE (1911-83) One of the most celebrated playwrights of the 20th Century. Signed playbill for Vieux Carre, which has been professionally mattd with a 8"x10" black and white glossy photograph of the writer. Williams has dedicated the St. James Theatre playbill thus: "To my dear Jordan, with love always, Tennessee." Matted in a pearl-grey suede board, encased in glass and a burnished dark metallic frame. Overall measurements are 16.5"13.25" $ 650

1980 Republican National Convention

POLITICAL BROADSIDE - An 8"x10" color glossy sheet bearing an elephant watermark in the center and, at the bottom in red black and blue ink "1980 Republican National Convention." Sheet has been affixed to larger white board. Most of the signatures were accomplished in blue, black and brown marker pen. A few have faded over time (Haldeman, Geo Bush) and a couple are indecipherable. Those we recognize are: Ronald Reagan, John Connolly, Walter Cronkite, Robert Trout, Mel Larson, Edwin Newman, Bob Dole and Bill Brock. There may be a hurriedly penned Pat Buchanan as well. To signatures are dedicated "to Terry." Desirable political memorabilia. Professionally double-matted along with a 8"x10" color glossy formal portrait of Ronald Reagan, encased in museum-grade conoservation glass. $ 375

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All items that we offer are subject to prior sale. Prices are in effect at the time of offering but may change without notice. New York residents must add 8.75% sales tax. Telephone inquiries welcome Mon-Sat 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (EST). You may also email us at ron@weekesautographs.com

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