Rare, signed autograph letter from 1814, to lifelong friend and fellow poet Francis Hodgson, discussing Byron's impending visit. Rare ALS: "Byron", 1 page, 7x9. No place, 1814 July 18. To Mr. Hodgson. In full: "Tomorrow (Tuesday) or Wednesday at farthest expect in all -- Capt. Byron (whom you know or will know) accompanies us. If there is not convenient room - we can dispose of him at the Hostel. Excuse haste -- in the hope of seeing you&c&c." Handwritten postscript: "P.S. Many thanks for today's epistle. I shall be happy to see you so." LORD GEORGE GORDON BYRON, 6th Baron Byron of Rothdale, wrote this letter to Reverend FRANCIS HODGSON (1781-1852), a poet and scholar whom he had met when he began studying at Trinity College in Cambridge in October 1805. By the time this letter was written, Byron had been lionized in Whig society after the 1812 publication of the first two of his four cantos of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812-1818). The opening lines of the canto had first been written to Hodgson on board a ship bound for Lisbon. In October 1813, Byron, who published his wildly popular The Corsair three months later, had recommended Hodgson, who became a lifelong friend, to translate Lucien Bonaparte's Charlemagne.

Her appointment of a 2nd lieutenant of the Fifth Regiment of Foot, also signed by the Secretary of War, the Earl Grey Military Appointment signed: "Victoria Reg" as Queen of the United Kingdom. Also signed "G Grey" as Colonial Secretary. 1 page, 12¾x9½. St. James Court, London, England. 1852 January 14. Appointment of George Henry James Rowling as Second Lieutenant of the Fifth Regiment of Foot, effective from December 5, 1851. QUEEN VICTORIA (1819-1901) ascended to the throne on June 20, 1837 (her coronation ceremony was held the following year). She ruled the United Kingdom longer than any other monarch before or since, although Queen Elizabeth II, crowned in 1953, may best that record. Victoria's 63-year reign (1837 until her death in 1901) endeared her to her subjects, and she gave her name to an era, the Victorian Age. Her husband, Prince Albert, whom she married in 1840, was an able political figure himself, the Queen's close advisor until his death in 1861. The royal pair had nine children - four sons and five daughters. Victoria's reign was celebrated with two jubilees, honoring her 50 and 60 years on the throne. Britain was the world's greatest power during her reign, and she became Empress of India in 1877.

George III signed this document in 1807 to pay the representatives of a late general for the expenses he incurred in forming a regiment of foot soldiers Royal warrant signed "George R" as King of England, 2 pages, 7¾x11 (front and verso). "Our Court at St. James", Sept. 16, 1807. This document directs Lord Charles Henry Somerset, Joint Paymaster General, to pay the representative of the late General William Taylor £5,026/5/8 for his establishing the 24th Regiment of Foot, under his command, on June 16th, 1789. George III guided England through the Napoleonic Wars (1800-1815), during which the British triumphed over France and proved their naval superiority at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). Unfortunately, the king was ruled insane before peace was restored. In 1811, his son, Prince George (George IV), was appointed Regent. Lightly toned, soiled and creased. Small pieces from left corners missing. Random ink stains. Folded eight times vertically and thrice horizontally and unfolded. Tape repair on left edge and to fold on back. Otherwise in fine condition.

The King Philip V gives important and clear instructions of how the collection of alms for the Bull of the Crusade had to be done, specifying the penalties for the disobedient. It is a very important historical document! Document Signed: "I, The King", "Manuel de Messa", "Manuel Francisco Gonzalez" and "Cardinal de Molina" in iron gall ink. 12x8¼. Five pages. In part: "Philip V, for the Grace of God King of Castile, of Leon, of Aragon, of the two Sicilies, of Jerusalem, of Navarra, of Granada, of Toledo, of Valencia, of Galicia, of Mallorca, of Menorca, of Seville, of Cerdanya, of Cordoba, of Corcega, of Murcia, of Jaen, of Los Algarbes, of Algeriza, of Gibraltar, of the Canary Islands, of the eastern and western islands, islands and mainland, of the ocean, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Borgona, of Bravante and Milan, Earl of Aspuro, of Flanders, Tixol and Barcelona, Sir of Vizcaya and Molina….The Earl and Marquee of Perales Don Bentura de Pinedo has sent us a list of the ecclesiastics who serve in the Holy Crusade. In this bishopric they should give several Bulls of the Predication of this upcoming year of 1741, some of them bought on credit by many neighbors of the cities, villas and places…Dated in San Idelfonso, October 13, 1740.…"

Color photo of the royal couple with their staffs, signed by both on the 12x10  mount and dated 1991. Extremely scarce! Rare Photo Mount signed: "Charles 1991" and "Diana". Color, 12x10 overall, image 10x7½ (two surfaces). The Prince and Princess of Wales are pictured with their staffs. Thirty-two-year-old Charles, Prince of Wales, had married 20-year-old Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. Prince William, second in line to the throne, was born in 1982 and Prince Harry, third in line, was born in 1984. The Prince and Princess of Wales separated in 1992, a year after signing this photograph, and their divorce became final on August 28, 1996. One year and three days later, on August 31, 1997, 36-year-old Diana, who had been stripped of her title, Her Royal Highness, by her former mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, was killed in a car crash in Paris. Signed photographs of the Prince and Princess of Wales are rarely encountered. While Christmas cards picturing the couple appear on the market from time to time, signed photographs, especially ones of this size, are extremely scarce. Signatures light in areas but fully legible. Fine condition. Accompanied by PSA/DNA LOA.

The then-Prince Regent sends letter to Queen Maria Carolina of Two Sicilies, de facto ruler of her husband King Ferdinand I's kingdoms, about the appointment of a new commander of British Forces in Sicily in the midst of Europe's Napoleonic Wars. A letter of historical importance! Manuscript letter signed: "George PR" as Prince Regent of the United Kingdom, 1 page, conjoined pages, front and verso, 7¼x9¾ folded. Carlton House, London, England. 1811 June 4. Addressed to "His Majesty/The King of the Two Sicilies", but begins "Madam". In full: "Circumstances having rendered it expedient the Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Military Forces in the Mediterranean, should also be invested with a Diplomatic Character and reside at the Court of His Sicilian Majesty; In consequence of the tired Fidelity, Zeal and Talents of Lieutenant General Lord William Cavendish Bentinck, I have made choice in the Name and on Behalf of His Majesty, of that Officer to discharge these Functions, and have accordingly conferred upon him, on His Majesty's Behalf, the Chief Command of His Majesty's said Forces, with the Character of His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.…"

The Holy Roman Empress who married her cousin Charles V signed this document in 1536 Document Signed: "Yo la Reyna" ("I the Queen"), 1p, 11¾x16½. No place. Date: October 8, 1536. In Spanish, not translated. Queen Isabella of Portugal (1503-1539) was an infant of Portugal by birth. She travelled to Seville to marry her first cousin Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. He ruled much of Europe at the time. The wedding was celebrated on March 10, 1526 in the palace of Alcazar of Seville, and even though it was a political union, the marriage proved to be a true love story. When her husband was away throughout the 1530s, Isabella served as the Regent of Spain. Isabella died in May 1539, when her sixth pregnancy ended in a stillbirth. Her husband was away at the time and her premature death affected him deeply; he never remarried and dressed in black for the rest of his life. Her son Philip succeeded the Portuguese throne, claiming his mother's rights temporarily uniting the Iberian Peninsula under one crown in what would later be called the Iberian Union. Fragile. Folds, 1 touches 1 letter of signature. Partial separation of folds affects some text. Stained, some stains touch text.

The King Philip II issues a rare license to Pro Notary Fausto Reeballo, who was a native of Milan, to be able to have, regardless been an alien, four hundred ducats of rent in his kingdoms. Manuscript Document Signed: "Yo El Rey" and "Don Luis de Salazar". 12x8¼. One page. Fully Translated in English: "The King. The proto notary Fausto Reballo, who was born in the city of Lody in the state of Milan, has begged us that knowing where he is going and that our ancestors have served us and will serve. You will have to be native of these kingdoms in order to have a rent on personal benefits and other pieces for the church, according to your mercy, and we did not think it was right. In this letter we give you permission to possess maximum four hundred ducats that equal one hundred fifty thousand marcos of rent every year, destined to benefits or pensions, or to any other rent for the church that since the day of this letter on, you might be dispossessed. For instance, we will only make you natural of these kingdoms, even though you are an alien. We apologize for any laws and pragmatics opposed to it, but they are still valid. So, we order you not to have more than the first four hundred ducats for the church from which you were deprived.…"

THE KING ORDERS PAYMENT FOR PROVISIONS ISSUED "TO OUR FORCES IN NORTH AMERICA" TWO MONTHS BEFORE HIS FORCES TAKE FORT TICONDEROGA FROM THE FRENCH; AFTER THE KING'S DEATH THE FOLLOWING YEAR, IT WAS DECIDED THAT MONEY TO PAY FOR FORCES IN NORTH AMERICA SHOULD BE RAISED BY TAXING THE COLONISTS THEMSELVES KING GEORGE II. Historic Manuscript DS: "George R" as King of England, 2p, 9x14½, front and verso. Our Court at Kensington, 1759 April 28. "To Our Right Trusty and Welbeloved Councillor Henry Fox Esqr Paymaster General of Our Guards Garrisons and Land Forces". Countersigned: "Hollis Newcastle" as Prime Minister, "H.B. Legge" as Chancellor of the Exchequer and "Bessborough" as Commissioner of Revenue.

Manuscript LS: "Matthias" as Governor of Austria, 1½p, 8¼x12¾. Vienna, 1605 April 12. To the Abbot of Neuberg. In German, not translated. The letter concerns clerical and legal matters, including the suppression of a local rebellion. Matthias was Governor General of Spanish Netherlands (1577-1581) and was appointed Governor of Austria in 1593 by his brother, Emperor Rudolf. Matthias was crowned King of Bohemia in 1617 and of Hungary in 1618. Matthias was Holy Roman Emperor from 1612-1619. Full, 2¼-inch seal on verso of integral leaf, light show through at left margin of first page. Lightly creased and foxed. Chipped at edges. 2 minor holes at lower horizontal fold affect signature in unknown hand on second page. 2 minor holes and ½-inch tear at fold on integral address leaf, which is lightly browned. Fragile, but fine condition considering its age.

The King Philip IV responds to a letter sent by the Countess of Salvatierra (signing with old Spanish signature) in which she informs him of the improvement in the health of his daughter Infanta Maria Theresa and the opinion of the doctors about the trip of the Infanta. The King responds with joy for the good news and for seeing her soon Autograph Letter Signed: "Yo, El Rey F." and "La condesa de Salbatiera" in iron gall ink. 8¼x11¾, folded. 16½x11¾, flat. Two pages. Fully Translated in English:" May God protect Her Highness, she had a good night but coughed a few times, however, Your Highness does not have any cough during the day and ate her soups with so much joy. Your Highness has had a good evening and has been happy and just as Your Majesty, she is now friends with the music and is better than in other days. Obeying the mandate of Your Majesty I asked the physicians if there was any inconvenience for Her Highness to go to the retreat and all pf them but Pedro Miguel said they did not see any inconvenience for Her Highness to go there so Your Majesty, order what you believe convenient to do. I only have one inconvenience about it, and it is that Her Highness is going to be very uncomfortable in the berth. It is been a beautiful day here.…"

A unique and absolutely breathtaking document! This is an illuminated legal judgment written in gothic Spanish in 1588 to King Philip II. It's less a legal document and more a work of art, with vivid and eye-popping page-sized illuminations of the Virgin Mary and a coat of arms as well as illuminated text on vellum pages, and it's bound in purple velvet covers with braided four-color cord. Must be seen- and held - to be believed! Illuminated book signed: "Felipe Ortega" "Antonio Benal", "Martin de Bareda", "De Rosales". 87 pages (some blank), 9¼x12½, vellum pages. Covers are pressed layers of paper covered in purple velvet and with cloth paste downs inside, bound in white, blue, red and yellow braided cord. Written in 1588. Written in Spanish. Partial Translated in English: "King of Castile, of Leon, of Aragon, of Jerusalem, of Portugal, of Navarra, of Granada, of Toledo, of Valencia, of Galicia, of Mallorca, of Seville, of Cerdena, of Cordoba, of Corcega, of Murcia, of Jalem, of Gibraltar, of the Canarias Islands, of the western and eastern islands, of the islands in firm sand, of the ocean, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Borgona, sir of Biscay...…"