2007 was a banner year for auctions hosted by R.M. Smythe & Co. with record prices achieved In 2007 R.M. Smythe hosted six major auctions and set record prices for historical autographs, currency, coins, stocks bonds and antiques
- Final Bid $6,500
British statesman, war-time Prime Minister and Nobel laureate (1874-1965). Choice Typewritten Document Signed "Winston L.S. Churchill," 1-1/5 pages, 4to, on parchment, London, January 18, 1957. Churchill's signature is penned at the conclusion [partially through seal] and is witnessed by a solicitor. Bears embossed revenue stamp at head. A "Supplemental Agreement" to the existing book contract between "The Right Honourable Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill K.G., O.M., C.H., M.P. of Chartwell Westerham in the County of Kent...and Cassell & Company Limited...in the City of London" amending the existing agreement between them "to the extent that the Publishers shall despatch proofs of the Third and Fourth Volumes of 'A History of the English-Speaking Peoples'...as soon after the thirty-first day of January one thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven as the printers can provide them...Save as aforesaid the provisions of the Principal Agreement shall remain in full force and effect..." In exceptionally fine condition. Churchill's four-volume work A History of the English-Speaking Peoples was published between 1956 and 1958, and was the last major literary work completed by him before his death in 1965. This great work had a somewhat checkered life however. It was commissioned by Newman Flower and the contract was signed in 1933. Although Churchill continued to work on the manuscript, his public duties did not enable him to complete the work by the outbreak of war in 1939; when he returned to his old post as First Lord of the Admiralty he delivered 450,000 words to the publisher in the best shape he had been able to give them, covering his subject from the beginnings to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. When, after the mighty events of the next six years and the loss of the election of 1945, Sir Winston had the time and the inclination once more to take up his pen, it was to the new project, his Second World War, that he turned first. With these six volumes happily completed, he was able to look again at the unfinished History of the English-Speaking Peoples which had been laid aside in such ominous circumstances so many years before. Churchill had recently served his last term as Prime Minister [1951-55], during which time he had been awarded the Nobel prize in literature [1953]. An extremely scarce agreement between Churchill and his publisher covering one of his most important works.
Sale #271 - Lot#159 - Presale Estimate $3,000 and Up - Final Bid $4250
NELSON, HORATIO British naval officer (1758-1805); in 1800, he blockaded Malta and Naples, held by French and Neapolitan Jacobins; annulled Cardinal Ruffo's proposed terms to rebels, received absolute surrender; restored Neapolitan royal family to power; became romantically involved with Emma Hamilton, the wife of Naples consul Sir William Hamilton; promoted Vice Admiral; created Duke of Bronte by Ferdinand I of Naples; died in the battle of Trafalgar. Choice Manuscript Letter Signed "Nelson & Bronte" as Vice Admiral of the Blue, 1 page, small 4to [8-1/4" x 8-1/2"], on his ship, the
