Photographs, Autographs and Ephemera

ROYALTY. A black and white photograph of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor signed to the card mount by both sitters, inscribed 'To A.G. Allen' and dated 1946 in ink, overall 32cm x 23.5cm. Provenance: Sir Albert George Allen (1888-1956) and thence by descent. Note: Sir Albert George Allen was the Duke of Windsor's solicitor during the period of the abdication. Allen was educated at North Malvern School. During the war he served as captain and Brigade Major. He was twice mentioned in despatches and was awarded the D.S.O. and the Military Cross. In 1930 he jointly founded the law firm Allen and Overy. He was nicknamed 'Poker Face' by the then King Edward VIII as they worked together through the political upheaval resulting from his decision to marry Wallis Simpson.

ROYALTY. A pair of 9ct gold oval cufflinks engraved with an unidentified armorial and initials, Birmingham 1899, 3.7g, together with a card inscribed 'For Mr Allen in remembrance of my husband' and printed 'Duchess of Kent', an envelope addressed to 'A.J. Allen Esq.' and a newspaper clipping relating to Mr Albert George Allen's visit to Fort Belvedere. Provenance: Sir Albert George Allen (1888-1956) and thence by descent. Note: Sir Albert George Allen was the Duke of Windsor's solicitor during the period of the abdication. Allen was educated at North Malvern School. During the war he served as captain and Brigade Major. He was twice mentioned in despatches and was awarded the D.S.O. and the Military Cross. In 1930 he jointly founded the law firm Allen and Overy. He was nicknamed 'Poker Face' by the then King Edward VIII as they worked together through the political upheaval resulting from his decision to marry Wallis Simpson.

ROYALTY. A silver cigarette case with engine-turned front and back, the hinged front with Edward VIII royal cypher, the interior with engraved inscription 'A.G. Allen from Edward R.I. 11th Dec 1936', hallmarked London 1934 by Ramsden & Roed, 9cm x 6.3cm, 104g, together with a piece of 'The Fort' letterhead paper also bearing the King's cypher. Provenance: Sir Albert George Allen (1888-1956) and thence by descent. Note: Sir Albert George Allen was the Duke of Windsor's solicitor during the period of the abdication. Allen was educated at North Malvern School. During the war he served as captain and Brigade Major. He was twice mentioned in despatches and was awarded the D.S.O. and the Military Cross. In 1930 he jointly founded the law firm Allen and Overy. He was nicknamed 'Poker Face' by the then King Edward VIII as they worked together through the political upheaval resulting from his decision to marry Wallis Simpson.

ROYALTY. Two fine linen handkerchiefs with embroidered entwined initials 'E.P.', together with a card inscribed 'With Best wishes from Edward P' and printed 'The Prince of Wales'. Provenance: Sir Albert George Allen (1888-1956) and thence by descent. Note: Sir Albert George Allen was the Duke of Windsor's solicitor during the period of the abdication. Allen was educated at North Malvern School. During the war he served as captain and Brigade Major. He was twice mentioned in despatches and was awarded the D.S.O. and the Military Cross. In 1930 he jointly founded the law firm Allen and Overy. He was nicknamed 'Poker Face' by the then King Edward VIII as they worked together through the political upheaval resulting from his decision to marry Wallis Simpson.

ROYALTY. An archive of material compiled by A.G. Allen relating to Wallis Windsor and Edward, Duke of Windsor, including manuscript notes and minutes taken by Allen during meetings with Edward during the events leading up to the King's abdication, accompanied with typed-up versions, a letter from King George VI, and also including Christmas cards from The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Christmas cards from Princess Marina, and photographs of related interest. Provenance: Sir Albert George Allen (1888-1956) and thence by descent. Note: this fascinating archive includes George Allen's 'Confidential Notes' in the days preceding the abdication. It includes details of telephone conversations and meetings with eminent persons, the handling of the press, a radio broadcast, and hints towards the prominence Edward held for him and his wife to obtain the H.R.H. title. The letter from King George VI to 'Dear Allen' and dated January 10th 1943 thanks the recipient 'for sending the very clear statement of the Duke of Kent's affairs' and continues that the King hopes 'it will be possible to find some way of augmenting the Duchess's income. Sir Albert George Allen was the Duke of Windsor's solicitor during the period of the abdication. Allen was educated at North Malvern School. During the war he served as captain and Brigade Major. He was twice mentioned in despatches and was awarded the D.S.O. and the Military Cross. In 1930 he jointly founded the law firm Allen and Overy. He was nicknamed 'Poker Face' by the then King Edward VIII as they worked together through the political upheaval resulting from his decision to marry Wallis Simpson.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. Two Christmas cards signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the years 1971 and 1972.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. Two Christmas cards signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the years 1973 and 1974.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. A Christmas card signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the year 1975.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. A Christmas card signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the year 1977, The Silver Jubilee year.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. A group of 3 Christmas cards signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the years 1979, 1980 and 1982.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. A group of 3 Christmas cards signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the years 1983, 1984 and 1985.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. A group of 3 Christmas cards signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the years 1987, 1988 and 1989.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. A group of 3 Christmas cards signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the years 1990, 1991 and 1992.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. A group of 4 Christmas cards signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the years 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. Two Christmas cards signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the years 1999 and 2000.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. Two Christmas cards signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the years 2003 and 2004.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. A group of 3 Christmas cards signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the years 2006, 2008 and 2009.

AUTOGRAPHS, QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCE PHILIP. Two Christmas cards signed in ink, possibly autopen, by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the years 2010 and 2015.

MOTOR RACING. A collection of 30 black and white photographs of 1913-1914 motor races, 17cm x 21.5cm, including the Isle of Man TT and the French Grand Prix, most annotated in pencil to the reverse, often with driver and car details.