A one-page letter with a design for an acoustic guitar drawn by George Harrison.<ul><li>George Harrison (British, 1943-2001).</li><li>Sent to luthier Tony Zemaitis, September 1998.</li><li>Letter on George’s personal Friar Park, Henley-On-Thames letterhead.</li><li>Unframed.</li></ul> Highlights from the letter Dear Tony – this type of thing – except nicer! Script om=ॐ TAT SAT. Thanks a lot for remembering me – love to Ann – see you later love George

Handwritten Drawing and Letter

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/books-&amp;-manuscripts/book?locale=en&amp;Book%20Type=Signed%2520and%2520Inscribed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">signed</a>&nbsp;lithograph of the illustration drawn for ‘Here Comes The Sun’, the 1969&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Beatles&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Beatles</a>&nbsp;song written by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=George%20Harrison&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">George Harrison</a>.&nbsp;<ul><li>Keith West (British, born 1943).</li><li>Genesis Publications, 1986.</li><li>Edition 13/850.</li><li>Signed by George Harrison and Keith West.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> An original lithograph of the illustration drawn for ‘Here Comes The Sun’, the 1969 Beatles song written by George Harrison. The song is from the ‘Abbey Road’ album and is featured in the Genesis Publications book Songs By George Harrison which contains a selection of George’s compositions coupled together with illustrations drawn by artist Keith West that were inspired by the songs. The lithograph is hand signed by George and Keith in pencil in the lower left corner and numbered 13/850 in the lower right corner. It has also been signed again by Keith in the lower right corner.

Signed Here Comes The Sun Lithograph 13/850

School photographs of <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=John%20Lennon&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John Lennon</a>, <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Paul%20McCartney&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Paul McCartney</a> and <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=George%20Harrison&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">George Harrison</a>.<ul><li>Sold as a set of 2.</li><li>Includes a black and white panoramic photograph of the pupils of the Lower School of Liverpool Institute High School in 1956, featuring Paul McCartney and George Harrison: Paul McCartney is stood on the top row on the left side and George Harrison is on the next row down on the right side.</li><li>The photograph also features Paul McCartney’s brother Mike, part time member of The Quarrymen Ivan Vaughan and The Beatles road manager Neil Aspinall.</li><li>Also included is a black and white panoramic school photograph of Quarry Bank High School, Liverpool in May 1955 featuring John Lennon: John is in the third from top row towards the center.</li><li>The photograph also features John’s friend Pete Shotton.</li><li>Each is presented unframed.</li></ul>

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, And George Harrison School Photographs

A sepia photographic contact sheet print of George Harrison, November 1960.<ul><li>Astrid Kirchherr (German, 1938–2020).</li><li>Taken in Hamburg, Germany as part of an early Beatles photo session.</li><li>The print has been signed in the lower-left corner by Kirchherr in pencil.</li><li>Unframed.</li><li>Astrid Kirchherr was known for her association with the Beatles and her photographs of the band's early days in Hamburg.</li></ul>

George Harrison Photographic Contact Sheet

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/books-&amp;-manuscripts/book?locale=en&amp;Book%20Type=Signed%2520and%2520Inscribed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">signed</a>&nbsp;lithograph of the illustration drawn for ‘Taxman,' the 1966&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Beatles&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Beatles</a>&nbsp;song written by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=George%20Harrison&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">George Harrison</a>.&nbsp;<ul><li>Keith West (British, born 1943).</li><li>Genesis Publications, 1986.</li><li>Edition 13/850.</li><li>Signed by George Harrison and Keith West.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> An original lithograph of the illustration drawn for ‘Taxman’, the 1966 Beatles song written by George Harrison. The song is from the ‘Revolver’ album and is featured in the Genesis Publications book Songs By George Harrison which contains a selection of George’s compositions coupled together with illustrations drawn by artist Keith West that were inspired by the songs. The lithograph is hand signed by George and Keith in pencil in the lower left corner and numbered 13/850 in the lower right corner. It has also been signed again by Keith in the lower right corner.

Signed Taxman Lithograph 13/850

A <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/books-&amp;-manuscripts/book?locale=en&amp;Book%20Type=Signed%2520and%2520Inscribed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">signed</a> lithograph of the illustration drawn for ‘Piggies’, the 1968 <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Beatles&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Beatles</a> song written by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=George%20Harrison&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">George Harrison</a>.&nbsp;<ul><li>Keith West (British, born 1943).</li><li>Genesis Publications, 1986.</li><li>Edition 13/850.</li><li>Signed by George Harrison and Keith West.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> The song is from the ‘White Album’ and is featured in the Genesis Publications book Songs By George Harrison which contains a selection of George’s compositions coupled together with illustrations drawn by artist Keith West that were inspired by the songs. The lithograph is hand signed by George and Keith in pencil in the lower left corner and numbered 13/850 in the lower right corner. It has also been signed again by Keith in the lower right corner.

Signed Piggies Lithograph 13/850

<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=George+Harrison&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">George Harrison</a>: Volume 1 &amp; Volume 2 CD edition books, <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/books-&amp;-manuscripts/book?locale=en&amp;Book%20Type=Signed%2520and%2520Inscribed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">signed</a> by Harrison and artist <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Keith+West&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Keith West</a>.<ul><li>Sold as a set of 2 volumes.</li><li>George Harrison (English).</li><li>Illustrated by Keith West.</li><li>Genesis Publications.</li></ul> Volume 1:&nbsp;<ul><li>Number 1007 of 2500 limited edition copies.</li><li>Individually numbered and personally autographed by George Harrison and Keith West.&nbsp;</li><li>This book is hand-bound in black three-quarter leather with gild tooling and presented in a hand-made solander box.</li><li>A CD housed in a sliding drawer inside the two-tray solander box, contains previously unreleased material.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;Volume 2:&nbsp;<ul><li>Number 856 of 2500 limited edition copies.</li><li>Hand signed by George Harrison and Keith West.</li><li>Contains 59 songs by George Harrison including I Me Mine, My Sweet Lord and All Things Must Pass.</li><li>Hand-bound in a black three-quarter leather binding and presented in a two-tray solander box.</li><li>A CD housed in a sliding drawer inside the two-tray solander box, contains previously unreleased material.&nbsp;</li><li>It comes in the original mailing box.</li></ul> In 1985 artist Keith West, one of the finest botanical watercolor artists in the world, was introduced to George Harrison, and so began a close collaboration to produce a stunning set of watercolors illustrating the composer’s many memorable songs.&nbsp;

George Harrison: Volume 1 and Volume 2 CD Edition | Signed by George Harrison and Keith West

Black and white photographic print of three members of The Beatles taken by Astrid Kirchherr in November 1960 at Heiligengeistfeld Square in Hamburg, Germany as part of the Beatles’ first photo session.<ul><li>Astrid Kirchherr (German).</li><li>Features George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and John Lennon around a truck.</li><li>Unframed.</li></ul>

George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and John Lennon Photograph

A <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/books-&amp;-manuscripts/book?Book%20Subject=Autographed%2520and%2520Signed%2520Material" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">signed</a> leather bound copy of I Me Mine by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=George%20Harrison&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">George Harrison</a>.<ul><li>George Harrison (English).</li><li>Genesis Publications.</li><li>This is No. 772 of 2000 limited edition copies, each hand signed by George Harrison.</li><li>Bound in brown leather, presented with slipcase.</li></ul> I Me Mine was published in 1980, the culmination of several years of work. It contains 83 of George’s song lyrics printed in superb facsimile with the story behind each one in the composer’s words. The book was published bound in a variety of different leathers including light and dark brown, light and dark green, black and a small variety of 23 other colors, this copy is bound in brown.

Signed Copy of I Me Mine

A two page <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/books-&amp;-manuscripts/book?locale=en&amp;Book%20Subject=Manuscripts%252C%2520Letters%252C%2520Documents%252C%2520Ephemera&amp;Book%20Subject=Manuscripts%252C%2520Letters%252C%2520Documents" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">letter</a> in black ink on Plaza Hotel letterhead paper in the hand of <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?locale=en&amp;Book%20Subject=Manuscripts%252C%2520Letters%252C%2520Documents%252C%2520Ephemera&amp;Book%20Subject=Manuscripts%252C%2520Letters%252C%2520Documents&amp;query=George%20Harrison&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">George Harrison</a> and sent to Pattie Boyd on the 1st November 1971.<ul><li>George Harrison (English).</li><li>The letter, written over four sides, was sent by George after his arrival in New York to work on the ‘Concert For Bangladesh’ album and film.</li><li>He had traveled to the city from France onboard the S.S. France ocean liner in October 1971.</li><li>The letter comes with two Plaza Hotel envelopes that George has addressed to Pattie at Friar Park in Henley-On-Thames and an Apple New York envelope, postmarked 1st November that has George has also addressed to Pattie.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> In the letter, George describes his journey aboard The S. S. France as being not as good as the QE2 writing:‘More straights in Tuxedos and not as many things to do, I read a lot in the cabin.’ He discusses editing the ‘Concert for Bangladesh’ for television, he mentions that Bob [Dylan] would be coming to look at his part in the film and that Ravi will arrive later the same day to look at his performance in the film. George goes on to complain of a wrangle over the cover artwork for the album box set of ‘The Concert for Bangladesh’, with Harrison resolute in his preference for a haunting photo of a malnourished child on the front and jokes that the delay has brought about the near simultaneous release of Ravi Shankar’s ‘Raga’, ‘The Concert for Bangladesh’ and Paul McCartney’s ‘Wild Life’, all coming in the same month! The letter has been transcribed exactly how George has written it. All of George’s grammatical errors and incorrect usage of capital letters have been retained. It reads as follows: ‘(212) PL 9.3000 ROOM 601Monday EveningDear Pattie,Hello, Hope you are O.K. I tried to call you when I got here but there was no Greg in the Lodge – can you call me through Apple at ABKCO or the Plaza to say hello to Hubby! It’s a drag not being able to speak to you. You can call ABKCO and tell them a time, and I’ll call the Lodge.The ‘France’ was not as good as QE2 more straights in Tuxedos and not as many things to do, so I read a lot in the cabin.Started looking at the film and it should be O.K. for a T.V. show – but a lot of Juggling to do – to get what I would like. The camera men were not too hip on the Rock part – but Ravi’s part seems well covered. Ravi is gong to be at the Plaza on Wednesday – so I am going to try and get a Rough Cut together by then – so he can tell me where to edit the music – as it should be reduced for T.V, as 15 minutes should be enough for the Film. We have to get the film to about 54 minutes total, for an Hour show. Neil and I are going to work now (tonight) so as to get it started. Bob is coming in the Morning, so we will have to work on his part tomorrow day, and then Ravi’s again in the evening, and it will save us time if Ravi has something to see before he leaves town, and his Bit is too hard to edit without him (the sound track).Saw a great wash basin in a window – full size white with blue flowers but with just one Tap in the centre – havent been back when its open (the shop) but will get it, if its there, not too much, when I go back. Here are youre (sic) shoes – hope they are O.K. Don’t I write crazy!!! Very fast before Ringo goes to the Airport –What have you been doing? Hope you’re O.K I miss you – I’m starving – many grilled cheese sandwiches – Love you – Call me or tell me when I can call you at the Lodge.Do you need anything from N.Y. cos I will go shopping for a day or 2. Still haven’t been to Lill Nassau’s but I passed her window one night and there is some great stuff – Hope I can get the Bed Piece Without spending to much bread in there. Saw a good shop with Indian fabric + cushions etc. which is what I want for my room 206 Are there shops in London with that stuff, as the cushions are so big it would be daft to carry them home – but I can. What do you think? The Electric Yo-Yo’s are for Paul and Janet (after you finish playing with them.)Eddie Veal was funny in N.Y. with his arm Bands and we took him to the Aceto Bar.How’s the House? D. Tapp? Any Problems?How’s Dad? – our Lou is Coming Tomorrow so that’s going to confuse me for a while. Shit!Has Quinnell done the stairs and rails in 203/4 109 yet?The Bangla Desh Proof of the Box front with the Guitar, was awful – so I had to jump on that and change it and shout at them and Now it will be O.K. with the original Idea of the Kid – its such a pain in the arse all that messing around – just Because they didnt like the truth any it will be O.K. in the end except we now have RAGA – B/Desh and Paul all coming out in the same month – well I know which will win! (Ha-Ha)Love you – Love to Ted – Gred – and KledGeorge’

George Harrison Handwritten Letter To Pattie Boyd

A <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=George%20Harrison&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">George Harrison</a> <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/books-&amp;-manuscripts/book/art-&amp;-design/photography" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">photobook</a>, <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/books-&amp;-manuscripts/book?Book%20Type=Signed%2520and%2520Inscribed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">signed</a> by George Harrison.<ul><li>George Harrison (English).</li><li>Foreword by Eric Clapton.</li><li>England: Genesis Publications, 1993.</li><li>Includes close to 500 previously unpublished photographs.</li><li>This is No. 1142 of 3500 limited edition copies, each of which is signed by George Harrison.</li><li>‘Live In Japan’ includes a double CD with original artwork and a total of 19 live tracks. </li><li>A souvenir pack containing a laminated 'After Show' pass and Eric's and George's guitar picks accompanies this volume. </li><li>The book is bound in black leather with gold and red tooling and gilt-edged pages.</li></ul> The foreword by Eric Clapton explains how George was persuaded to return to touring after a break of 17 years. The first (and longest) chapter is written by George himself and details his thoughts and feelings on taking to the road after such a long absence. It includes George's personal recollections of the tour and memories of times on the road with The Beatles. Subsequent chapters are written by each member of Eric Clapton's band and reveal private moments behind the scenes, during sound checks, on stage and in transit. The final chapter by John Harris (who engineered the ‘Live In Japan’ CD) provides a revealing account of working with George Harrison in the studio.

George Harrison: Live In Japan

A 6-page letter written by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Pattie+Boyd&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pattie Boyd</a> to her mother on the 7th of November, 1970, while she was staying with George Harrison at Frenchman’s Cove, Jamacia, West Indies.<ul><li>Patti Boyd (English).</li><li>Written on embossed Frenchman’s cove letterhead.</li><li>The contents illustrate the fractious relationship between Paul and George during this period, the former Beatles ongoing solo work, George’s friendship with Bob Dylan, the Charles Manson murder case and more.</li><li>Accompanied by the original mailing envelope which is postmarked Jamacia November 11 1970.</li></ul> The Letter Reads:&nbsp; ‘Dearest Mums,&nbsp;&nbsp;Hope you are well and not too cold on your bike! We were in New York for just over a week while George made sure his record was cut properly for America before its put into production. After a bit of trouble its perfect now. Paul McCartney and Linda are in N.Y. while he is making a record so we went to see them because Paul wanted to see George about leaving the Beatles completely. It was strange to see them there as we haven’t seen them for so long. We also saw Bob Dylan and his 5 children – we went to their country house and stayed the night. It was lovely, the countryside was so beautiful – full of trees mostly silver beech and the colours were indiscribly beautiful so many reds, golds oranges and yellows. That’s not spelt right sorry!&nbsp;&nbsp;We went to a couple of big dinner parties much to Georges horror and my delight! Anyway after 5 hours flight and 2 hours drive we are staying at a beautiful place. There is a main hotel and about 12 bungalows of which we have one, this includes a butler and maid – very nice. We arrived yesterday, the place stopped in Montego Bay where the customs check woman was horrified to see that my smallpox vaccination ran out about 3 months ago. She immediately gave me one, but couldn’t understand how I got into America without it. I managed it because Allen Kleins heavy man met us at New York airport and rushed us through immigration and customs without them checking anything – he must be very influencial! (sic)&nbsp;&nbsp;It rained heavily last night and was very grey today but smells very sweet and fresh although its very horrid. When we arrived the customs asked George how much money he had then said we would have to drive back 70 miles two days later to see someone from their tourist board. The reason is either that George has long hair too much money or too little or that we are English – he wouldn’t say – all he said was “that’s what I say”. I understand their feeling towards the English people is not good.&nbsp;&nbsp;Everyone has a little battery powered golf cart to drive around the estate in – there is about 40 acres of pools, rocks, gold course and tennis court. We went to the beach which is in a cove like this:-&nbsp;&nbsp;Please give my love to David + Boo when you write or see them. Oh yes we didn’t go to Australia because we decided it was too far. We were going to go to Los Angeles for a few days to break up the long journey to Australia but when we arrived in N.Y. the press that met us said if we go to L.A. George could be called up by the lawyers in the Charles Manson case to answer questions about Beatle songs influencing Charles Manson. It’s so absurd but we didn’t want to take the risk – so we’re here instead. I’ll send a pretty postcard when I find them. Take care – love to Jenny when you talk to her.&nbsp;&nbsp;Lots of love from George + Pattie’.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pattie opens the letter stating that they were in New York while George was putting the finishing touches to his album, All Things Must Pass, which would be released on the 30th November 1970. She also mentions that Paul and Linda were there as well recording an album, RAM, released on the 21st of May, 1971.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pattie also mentions a meeting that Paul and George had to split up The Beatles for good. On page 570 of Barry Miles’ book Many Years From Now Paul is quoted as saying ‘I remember having one classic conversation with George Harrison. I said, ‘Look, George, I want to get off the label,’ and as I say it now I almost feel like I’m lying with the devil’s tongue, but I swear George said to me, ‘You’ll stay on the fucking label. Hare Krishna.’ That’s how it was, that’s how the times were.’.&nbsp;&nbsp;She goes on to tell her mother about visiting Bob Dylan’s home in Woodstock and how beautiful it was.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pattie opens the second paragraph saying that they had been to a couple of dinner parties, in her book Wonderful Tonight she references the dinner parties stating:&nbsp;&nbsp;‘While we were in New York we went to a couple of big dinner parties, to George’s horror and my delight. One was given by Ahmet Ertegun, the cofounder of Atlantic Records, the other was given by Robert Stigwood. George hated parties unless they were exclusively for his friends. Put me into a room full of people and I come to life. Sometimes George and I, both Pisceans, were like the symbolic fish swimming in opposite directions. George seemed torn between the deep beneath us and the glitter on the surface, and I was so dazzled by what sparkled above that I couldn’t look down for fear of what might be lurking there.’.&nbsp;&nbsp;She then goes on to describe the couple’s trip to Jamaica, which she again covered in her book Wonderful Tonight:&nbsp;&nbsp;‘We went to Jamaica and it was a disaster from the start, beginning with the smallpox problem. Immigration then said, probably because we were white, British, long haired, and had money, that we had to report back to Montego Bay two days later, a journey of seventy miles, to see someone from the Tourist Board. There was no explanation. The man just said, “That’s what I say.” As I told my diary, There were such bad vibes everywhere. We stayed in a hugely expensive hotel at Frenchman’s Cove. It rained every day except one. Our room, which came with a butler and a maid, was in one of about a dozen bungalows in the grounds and we were given a little golf cart to get to and from the main building. After dinner we would go back to our bungalow and George would play his guitar. One night when it was raining I walked outside and recorded it all - the sound of him playing, and the sound of the rain and the jungle and the noises of the night. It was an amazing combination.’.&nbsp;&nbsp;On page five of the letter, Pattie draws a map of the area that they are staying in.&nbsp;&nbsp;Interestingly, towards the end of the letter Pattie states that they could not travel to Los Angeles as they did not want to be drawn in to the then on going court case of Charles Manson who claimed that various lyrics from the Beatles White album had caused him to commit murder.&nbsp;

Handwritten Letter by Patti Boyd To Her Mother

Bibliotheca Brookeriana VIII

SOCIO, NOBILE. Tractatus de temporibus, et modis, recte purgandi in morbis. Nobilis Socii Salodiensis medici. Venice: (Bartolomeo Cesano), 1550

SOCIO, NOBILE. Tractatus de temporibus, et modis, recte purgandi in morbis. Nobilis Socii Salodiensis medici. Venice: (Bartolomeo Cesano), 1550 “Ilse Schunke first called attention to this binder, whom she called the ‘Leermauresken-Meister’, a name I have translated as the ‘Arabesque Outline Tool Binder’. The shop was active in Venice in the 1560s” (Hobson and Culot, item 16). Hobson goes on to cite nine ducal commissions, four other manuscripts and five printed books bound by the same shop; Laura Nuvoloni has added another two works, extending the shop's activity to 1571, in "Commissioni dogali: Venetian bookbindings in the British Library" in 'For the love of binding', Studies in bookbinding history presented to Mirjam Foot, (London 2000), pp.81-109 (pp.92-93 and Fig. 16). 8vo (158 x 103mm). Roman and italic types, 29 lines plus headline. Collation: A–R8 S6: 142 leaves. Woodcut printer’s devices on title and at end, woodcut initials. (Dampstaining towards end). Binding: Contemporary Venetian brown morocco, by the Arabesque Outline Binder, rectangular frame formed by double interlacing gilt fillets with cinquefoil at each point of interlacing, gilt leafy tools at corners, central gilt circular design formed by leafy tools, gold rings around sides and cruciform tool at centre, spine with 3 full and 4 half bands, edges gilt and lightly gauffered with dotwork pattern. (Joints slightly rubbed.) Provenance: George Leib Harrison (1811–1885), of Philadelphia, engraved armorial bookplate. Acquisition: Purchased in 1976 from John Fleming, New York. References: Edit16 24116; USTC 856953

View 1 of Lot 286: Socio, Tractatus de temporibus, et modis, recte purgandi in morbis, Venice, 1550, Venetian brown morocco gilt

socio, tractatus de temporibus, et modis, recte purgandi in morbis, venice, 1550, venetian brown morocco gilt

Fine Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

Washington, George Autograph letter signed (“Go: Washington”), one page (329 x 203 mm) on a leaf of laid paper, New Windsor, [New York], 14 May 1781, to Jonathan Trumbull; lightly soiled, some short, closed marginal tears, tipped to a mat board. Shortly before his historic conference with General Rochambeau at the Joseph Webb House in Wethersfield, Connecticut—where the Franco-American strategy for the siege of Yorktown was planned—Washington warmly welcomes Jonathan Trumbull as his military secretary, replacing Robert Hanson Harrison, who had been appointed chief judge of the Maryland General Court: “In answer to your favor of the 10th, which came to my hands last night, I have to assure you, that your joining my family in the first part of June will be very convenient for me, and that I shall be happy in the event.” The commander-in-chief concludes the letter “With very great esteem & regard.” The General acceded to Trumbull’s request for a brief delay, and his general orders for 8 June record that “Jonathan Trumbull Esqr. Junior is appointed Secretary to the Commander in Chief and to be respected accordingly” (Papers, p. 389). Washington initially proffered the position to Trumbull on 16 April, and on 10 May Trumbull replied, “I have now the Honor to inform that I have determined to accept the Offer—provided your Excellency can dispense with a Delay which unavoidable Appointments of Public Business will occasion—these Appointments, made previous to your Excellencys Call with the necessary Preperations for joining—will take my Time to the first Part of June.” (Papers, pp. 75–76). At Washington’s headquarters, Trumbull joined a “family” that included Tench Tilghman and David Humphreys. Trumbull remained in office through Yorktown and until the end of the war, and his name is most frequently met with as the countersignature on the discharges of Continental soldiers being paroled from active service. “[T]hree of Washington’s most experienced aides-de-camp departed his family during 1781: Harrison, Hamilton, and Meade. The general moved quickly to fill the vacancies with Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., Dr. David Cobb, and William Stephens Smith. … When Washington lost the valuable services of Robert Hanson Harrison, he cast about for an outstanding writer to replace him. As he had done sometimes in the past when he needed help, Washington turned for assistance to the talented Trumbull family of Connecticut. That state’s governor, Jonathan Trumbull, was the patriarch of the family and one of Washington’s staunchest allies. When the general was desperate for men or food during the war, his best hope was to turn to Governor Trumbull, whom he purportedly called, ‘Brother Jonathan.’ … Governor Trumbull had four sons, all of whom played an active role in the Revolution. … It was Governor Trumbull’s namesake, Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., … replaced Harrison as Washington’s military secretary” (Lefkowitz, p. 232). REFERENCES The Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series, ed. Ferraro, vol. 32, pp. 75–76 (footnote 3 to Trumbull’s letter of 10 May); cf. Arthur S. Lefkowitz, George Washington’s Indispensable Men: The 32 Aides-de-Camp Who Helped Win American Independence (Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 2003) PROVENANCE Christie’s New York, 5 December 2006, lot 325 (undesignated consignor; “The Property of a Gentleman”)

View 1 of Lot 1043: Washington, George | Autograph letter signed  welcoming Jonathan Trumbull to his “family” as an aide-de-camp, 1781

Results for "George Harrison"