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<b>Bonhams:</b> MANDELSHTAM, OSIP. 1891-1938. Autograph Manuscript, 2 pp, [Petersburg,] January 1913, entitled

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Signed Material from David Schulson Autographs - By Michael Stillman Schulson's Catalog 151. David Schulson Autographs has released their Catalog 151 of signed material. The catalogue offers material from a wide range of notable personalities, from writers to artists, poets, musical composers, musicians, political leaders, actors, scientists, cartoonists, and others of note. Schulson catalogues regularly offer a mix of famous people from America and Europe. Many entries are full, handwritten letters, others briefer notes or signed documents. If your interest is in autographed material, you will likely find something you want here. These are just a few of the items being offered in this latest Schulson catalogue. Item 24 is a letter (in French) dated March 24, 1813, from Napoleon to one of his generals. It provides great insight into how Napoleon managed his military campaigns. He was preparing for the German campaign, and Napoleon provides details on how various regiments should be moved around on the field. Normally, you would expect an overall strategy from a commander, particularly one who was also the political leader, but it is obvious that Napoleon micromanaged his campaigns, leaving nothing to chance, or to the discretion of others. He has signed the letter “NP.” Priced at $2,850. Next is a man of whom we don't know if he was friendly with Napoleon, but was well acquainted with Mrs. Napoleon, the Empress Josephine. Indeed, he was a favorite of the distaff side of French royalty for a long time, first Marie Antoinette, then Empress Josephine, and later Maria Amelia, Queen during the rule of Louis Phillippe. Despite the changing of the guards, including the violent one during the French Revolution, Pierre-Joseph Redouté escaped any bad repercussions. He was not a political man. He was an artist. His specialty was painting roses and lilies, and two centuries later he is still regarded as the greatest artist at painting roses. His Les Roses is one of the most valuable of books you can purchase. Item 28 is a receipt from 1820 headed, Les Roses, par P.J. Redouté. In it, Redouté acknowledges payment in full for Les Roses from a subscriber, Mr. Pivote. He has signed the receipt “Redouté.” It is accompanied by an 1832 letter from the secretary of Queen Maria Amelia, stating, “The Queen asked me to let you know that she spoke with interest of your business with...the Count de Montalivet and that she obtained the promise that the payment you have been waiting for will be made as soon as possible...” The Count served as Minister of the Interior under Louis Phillippe, a position which, perhaps, didn't pay quite enough to keep the Minister current on his bills. $3,750. Visual artists aren't the only ones who often found themselves in financial straits. Dylan Thomas spent much of his early career scrounging for money, though not always through collecting debts for work performed. Charitable contributions were one of his means of getting by. Thomas' work caught the eye of several poets when he began publishing in the 1930s, but that critical reputation did not quickly turn to commercial success. By the early 1940s, he was only earning very small fees for his writing. He was heavily indebted to friends when he turned to seeking financial support from established literary figures, nicely fitting the role of starving artist. Item 32 consists of several letters from 1940 that were sent to Sir Michael Sadler, a British historian and promoter of public education, who also championed Thomas' cause. One letter says that “unless he is able to raise £70 almost immediately his wife will be turned out.” Thomas was in debt at the time. Another reports, “we have received altogether £126.12.0 for Dylan Thomas. This sum ought to pay off all the debts and give him a bit of a start.” A letter from Thomas himself says, “It was a marvelous result, more than I dared hope, and I want very much to thank you for your generosity. People's kindness has changed everything...” Unfortunately, Thomas would spend far too much of his money on booze, and drank himself to death by the age of 39. $4,375.
Signed Material from David Schulson Autographs - By Michael Stillman Bob Kane's drawings of Batman and Robin. This next letter is not one of gratitude. It comes from George Bernard Shaw, to the minor, not very talented writer Erica Cotterill, a young lady who became obsessed with the older author. At first, her messages must have boosted his ego, but after a while, the stream of long-winded letters and submission of low-grade writing became a burden and annoyance on Shaw. His displeasure stopped being subtle. She was oblivious to the hints. In this 1906 letter, Shaw suggests, “My Dear Lady, Why don't you join some Socialist Society and get some work to do? There are always envelopes...and tracts to be distributed.” Not exactly inspiring words for an aspiring writer. Miss Cotterill was a socialist, and author of the play The Professional Socialist, remembered only as the play written by the nutcase who hounded George Bernard Shaw for many years. In a postscript, Shaw adds, speaking of some poems she must have submitted, “The poems are too careless in form to be satisfactory.” Item 30. $875. Item 13 is a pair of drawings dated “'93” by cartoonist Bob Kane. They are of his most famous creations, Batman and Robin. He created the superhero and his young sidekick for DC Comics in 1939 as an answer to Action Comics quick success with Superman. They have been the two greatest comic superheroes ever since, Superman comics having become somewhat more valuable, but Batman earning more notable film roles in recent years. Kane has signed the Robin drawing with the salutation, “BATS WISHES.” Kane would have been 78 years old at the time he created these drawings. $1,000. David Schulson Autographs may be reached at 973-379-3800 or info@schulsonautographs.com. Their website is www.schulsonautographs.com.

Signed Material from David Schulson Autographs

- By Michael Stillman

Schulson's Catalog 151.

David Schulson Autographs has released their Catalog 151 of signed material. The catalogue offers material from a wide range of notable personalities, from writers to artists, poets, musical composers, musicians, political leaders, actors, scientists, cartoonists, and others of note. Schulson catalogues regularly offer a mix of famous people from America and Europe. Many entries are full, handwritten letters, others briefer notes or signed documents. If your interest is in autographed material, you will likely find something you want here. These are just a few of the items being offered in this latest Schulson catalogue.

Item 24 is a letter (in French) dated March 24, 1813, from Napoleon to one of his generals. It provides great insight into how Napoleon managed his military campaigns. He was preparing for the German campaign, and Napoleon provides details on how various regiments should be moved around on the field. Normally, you would expect an overall strategy from a commander, particularly one who was also the political leader, but it is obvious that Napoleon micromanaged his campaigns, leaving nothing to chance, or to the discretion of others. He has signed the letter “NP.” Priced at $2,850.

Next is a man of whom we don't know if he was friendly with Napoleon, but was well acquainted with Mrs. Napoleon, the Empress Josephine. Indeed, he was a favorite of the distaff side of French royalty for a long time, first Marie Antoinette, then Empress Josephine, and later Maria Amelia, Queen during the rule of Louis Phillippe. Despite the changing of the guards, including the violent one during the French Revolution, Pierre-Joseph Redouté escaped any bad repercussions. He was not a political man. He was an artist. His specialty was painting roses and lilies, and two centuries later he is still regarded as the greatest artist at painting roses. His Les Roses is one of the most valuable of books you can purchase. Item 28 is a receipt from 1820 headed, Les Roses, par P.J. Redouté. In it, Redouté acknowledges payment in full for Les Roses from a subscriber, Mr. Pivote. He has signed the receipt “Redouté.” It is accompanied by an 1832 letter from the secretary of Queen Maria Amelia, stating, “The Queen asked me to let you know that she spoke with interest of your business with...the Count de Montalivet and that she obtained the promise that the payment you have been waiting for will be made as soon as possible...” The Count served as Minister of the Interior under Louis Phillippe, a position which, perhaps, didn't pay quite enough to keep the Minister current on his bills. $3,750.

Visual artists aren't the only ones who often found themselves in financial straits. Dylan Thomas spent much of his early career scrounging for money, though not always through collecting debts for work performed. Charitable contributions were one of his means of getting by. Thomas' work caught the eye of several poets when he began publishing in the 1930s, but that critical reputation did not quickly turn to commercial success. By the early 1940s, he was only earning very small fees for his writing. He was heavily indebted to friends when he turned to seeking financial support from established literary figures, nicely fitting the role of starving artist. Item 32 consists of several letters from 1940 that were sent to Sir Michael Sadler, a British historian and promoter of public education, who also championed Thomas' cause. One letter says that “unless he is able to raise £70 almost immediately his wife will be turned out.” Thomas was in debt at the time. Another reports, “we have received altogether £126.12.0 for Dylan Thomas. This sum ought to pay off all the debts and give him a bit of a start.” A letter from Thomas himself says, “It was a marvelous result, more than I dared hope, and I want very much to thank you for your generosity. People's kindness has changed everything...” Unfortunately, Thomas would spend far too much of his money on booze, and drank himself to death by the age of 39. $4,375.

Signed Material from David Schulson Autographs

- By Michael Stillman

Bob Kane's drawings of Batman and Robin.

This next letter is not one of gratitude. It comes from George Bernard Shaw, to the minor, not very talented writer Erica Cotterill, a young lady who became obsessed with the older author. At first, her messages must have boosted his ego, but after a while, the stream of long-winded letters and submission of low-grade writing became a burden and annoyance on Shaw. His displeasure stopped being subtle. She was oblivious to the hints. In this 1906 letter, Shaw suggests, “My Dear Lady, Why don't you join some Socialist Society and get some work to do? There are always envelopes...and tracts to be distributed.” Not exactly inspiring words for an aspiring writer. Miss Cotterill was a socialist, and author of the play The Professional Socialist, remembered only as the play written by the nutcase who hounded George Bernard Shaw for many years. In a postscript, Shaw adds, speaking of some poems she must have submitted, “The poems are too careless in form to be satisfactory.” Item 30. $875.

Item 13 is a pair of drawings dated “'93” by cartoonist Bob Kane. They are of his most famous creations, Batman and Robin. He created the superhero and his young sidekick for DC Comics in 1939 as an answer to Action Comics quick success with Superman. They have been the two greatest comic superheroes ever since, Superman comics having become somewhat more valuable, but Batman earning more notable film roles in recent years. Kane has signed the Robin drawing with the salutation, “BATS WISHES.” Kane would have been 78 years old at the time he created these drawings. $1,000.

David Schulson Autographs may be reached at 973-379-3800 or info@schulsonautographs.com. Their website is www.schulsonautographs.com.