Every day Sophie Dupre presents two items from her large stock of signed photographs, autograph letters, autographs for sale, royal memoralbilia and antiquarian manuscripts.
The photographs are presented with the catalogue descriptions.
On this day... see what happened on your special day
March 03
On this day in 1861 Alexander II of Russia, 'the Liberator' signed the Emancipation Manifesto, freeing serfs and in 1887 Anne Sullivan began to teach the 6 year old blind-deaf Helen Keller. Helen became an author, political activist, and lecturer and was the first deafblind person to earn a bachelor of arts degree.
ALEXANDER II (‘The Liberator’, 1818-1881, Emperor of Russia from 1855)
Fine decree document, in Russian with translation, signed ‘Aleksandr’ addressed to the Chapter of the Russian Imperial and Royal Orders, saying that “as reward for the outstanding zeal and devoted service of Lieutenant, 1st Artillery Guards Brigade, Gavriil Mikhailov”, he has “been pleased to appoint him Knight of Our Imperial and Royal Order of St Stanislas, third class”, and ordering “the Chapter to send the insignia ... and the document to the aforesaid”, signed also in Russian “General-Adjutant Count Adlerberg” (Alexander Vladimirovich, 1818-1888), the Emperor’s closest adviser and friend, 9th August1867, the document 1 side folio, Moscow, 21st June 1867
KELLER (Helen, 1880-1968, Deaf & Blind American Writer, Lecturer & Scholar)
Fine Typed Letter Signed to Mr Thurber, apparently James (1894-1961, the almost blind humorist and New Yorker cartoonist), thanking him “with a happy heart ... for being interested in the work of the American Foundation for the Blind”, his “generous gift has kindled a light which will throw its beam of usefulness wondrously far” in their “dark world”, talking of the Association’s study of “the employments in which the blind are actually ... wage-earners, and other callings which might be possible to them ... When the blind are usefully employed, they feel greater than their misfortune because their human pride is satisfied with the sweetness of accomplishment”, sending a folder [not present], and ending “May the light of joy shine in your heart because of your kindness!”, 1 side 4to, 93 Seminole Avenue, Forest Hills, New York, 14th December 1928
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