FRENCH REVOLUTIONARY HISTORIAN FRANÇOIS MIGNET WRITES A LETTER AS PERPETUAL SECRETARY OF THE FRENCH ACADÉMIE DES SCIENCES MORALES ET POLITIQUES

FRANÇOIS MIGNET (1796-1884). Mignet was a French historian who wrote actively in support of the French revolutionaries.

ALS. 2pgs. 5” x 8”. September 5, 1840. Paris. An autograph letter signed “Mignet”. It was written in French on letterhead of the “Institut de France Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques”, a French academic institution for law, politics, philosophy, and finance. Mignet was a member and perpetual secretary (“Le Secrétaire perpétuel de l’Académie”). The letter is in good condition with a small amount of water staining in the upper part of the letter.

NOBEL PRIZE WINNER FRÉDÉRIC MISTRAL WRITES TO THE DAUGHTER OF HIS FELLOW PROVENCAL POET FELIX GRAS

FRÉDÉRIC MISTRAL (1830-1914).  Mistral was a French writer who often used the Occitan language.  He was awarded the 1904 Nobel Prize in Literature.

ALS. 3pg. 5” x 8”. June 21, 1901. Maiano.  An autograph letter signed “F. Mistral” in the Occitan language.  A note at the top indicates this was written to a daughter of Felix Gras just months after Gras died; Felix Gras (1844-1901) was a poet and novelist from Provence.  There are a couple of pencil notes, and the letter is in fine condition with a dark autograph.

ALS. 1pg. 5” x 8”. 1824. Paris. An autograph letter signed “J. Mathieu Montmorency” in French. I do not have a translation for it. It is written on thin paper and has two faint mailing folds.

A RARE WILLIAM MORRIS AUTOGRAPH LETTER TO A FELLOW SOCIALIST ACTIVIST

WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896). A British designer, writer, and socialist activist, Morris is best known as a major participant in the Arts and Crafts Movement.

ALS. 1pg. August 26. [no year]. Kelmscott, House, Hammersmith. An autograph letter signed “William Morris”. He wrote to his friend and fellow socialist Charles Rowley, seemingly declining an invitation to give a speech. “Dear Sir Many thanks for your kind invitation but I am sorry to say I cannot engage myself any more at present, as my list is very full. I am Dear Sir Yours faithfully William Morris”. In very good condition with some toning. There is also a diagonal line, like a cross-out, through the entire text. Morris autograph letters are rare.

LETTER BY SWAMI NIKHILANANDA, LEADING HINDU SCHOLAR, ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM

SWAMI NIKHILANANDA (1895-1973). Nikhilananda was a writer and theorist and leader of the Ramakrishna Order of Hindu mysticism.  He was a direct disciple of Sri Sarada Devi, the wife of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a nineteenth-century Hindu mystic. Followers of Ramakrishna established the Ramakrishna Mission, an educational and religious center in India. In 1933, Nikhilananda founded the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York, a branch of Ramakrishna Mission, and remained its head until his death in 1973. Nikhilananda was also considered a brilliant speaker and was invited to lecture at different universities, churches, synagogues, and, undoubtedly, television opportunities like this one.

TLS. 1 pg. 8” x 10”. October 19. 1962. New York. A typed letter signed “Nikhilananda” to “Dr. Herman Harvey”: “I very much appreciate your kind letter of October 15, suggesting that I take part in a Television program with various distinguished people. I understand that the participants will discuss belief, values, and personal commitments, and also the search for meaning, and basis for belief in ones [sic] personal life. I shall be happy to take part in it. I have devoted my whole life to the study and interpretation of individual problems and human values from the standpoint of Hindu religion and community. Naturally I would like to speak from this point of view…I would particularly like to know how long I would be expected to speak and whether you want me to read a paper. Also how soon you would want me to prepare…” Dr. Herman Harvey was an Associate Professor of Psychology at USC and host of the CBS television series, “Child Psychology on TV.” No evidence can be found if they participated together in a television program. The lower left corner of the letter is missing, but that does not impact the text and the letter is in good condition otherwise.

DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER FREDERICK NORTH AUTHORIZES ANNUITY PAYMENTS FROM A SINKING FUND

FREDERICK NORTH, LORD NORTH (1732-1792). North was Prime Minister of Great Britain during the American Revolution.

DS. 2pgs. January 10, 1780. Whitehall Treasury Chambers, London. A handwritten document signed “North” as Prime Minister, “Ch. Cornwall” and “Palmerston” on the verso. The document authorizes the recipient to take money out of a sinking fund to pay annuities. “An account of the Deficiency of the Funds established granted anno 1778 on the 5^th day of January 1780…After Our hearty Commendations By virtue of an act passed…For raising a certain sum of Money by way of Annuities and for establishing a Lottery These are to authorize and require you to set apart and apply out of the sinking fund the sum of one hundred eighteen thousand two hundred thirty four pounds eleven shillings and three pence halfpenny to satisfy the Deficiency of the Fund for paying the said annuities as stated in the annexed account to the 5^th day of January 1780. For which this shall be your Warrant…North Ch. Cornwall Palmerston”. Although the document is dated during the American Revolutionary War, it is unclear whether the document relates to the war at all. Charles Cornwall (1735-1789) was a longtime member of the British House of Commons; Henry Temple, 2^nd Viscount Palmerston (1739-1802) was a British politician. The document is in good condition; it was cut from a larger sheet and inlaid onto another page. There is spotting and a few tiny holes that were repaired.