News | October 3, 2023

Queen Mother Letter to James Barrie Featuring Queen Elizabeth II Drawing to Auction

Everard Auctions

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, signed autograph letter to author James Barrie (1860-1937) with envelope, and accompanying crayon drawing by then-Princess Elizabeth of York, later Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain. Estimate $3,000-$5,000.

Early Chaucer folios, Samuel Pepys’ diary, a 1652 Don Quixote, plus letters and photos signed by British royals will feature in Everard Auctions' October 19 ‘The Anglophile and The Professor' auction.

The sale will feature English books and manuscripts from the collection of Professor Ronald Onorato, as well as manuscripts and ephemera with a focus on British royalty from the Estate of William H Rasch.  

The Manuscripts and Ephemera category is led by an autograph letter signed by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother (1900-2002) to James Barrie (1860-1937) the author of Peter Pan. It comes with an original drawing by the then young Princess Elizabeth of York, later Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022). Estimated at $3,000-$5,000.

Among multiple lots of signed photographs and holiday cards from members of the British Royal Family is a signed family portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with her husband Prince Philip and their children, Charles, Anne and Andrew, together with one of her beloved corgis. It is signed by Elizabeth and Philip and dated 1964. This lot is estimated at $1,000-$2,000. Also listed is a rare signed and inscribed cabinet card depicting The Duke of Clarence and the future King George V, dated 1881. It is estimated at $1,000-$1,500.

Rare photographic cabinet card signed and inscribed by George V, King of Great Britain (1865-1936) and Christian Edward Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence (1864-1892
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Everard Auctions

Rare photographic cabinet card signed and inscribed by George V, King of Great Britain (1865-1936) and Christian Edward Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence (1864-1892

Charles II, King of England (1630-1685), signed manuscript document, dated Nov. 26, 1656 at Court in Bruges
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Everard Auctions

Charles II, King of England (1630-1685), signed manuscript document, dated Nov. 26, 1656 at Court in Bruges

Geoffrey Chaucer, The Works, (London, 1687)
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Everard Auctions

Geoffrey Chaucer, The Works, (London, 1687)

Philippe de Commines, Historie of Commines (London, 1596)
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Everard Auctions

Philippe de Commines, Historie of Commines (London, 1596)

Ben Johnson, The Works, (London, 1692)
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Everard Auctions

Ben Johnson, The Works, (London, 1692)

Samuel Pepys, Memoirs of Samuel Pepys, His Diary from 1659-1669, Volumes I & II, (London, Colburn, 1825)
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Everard Auctions

Samuel Pepys, Memoirs of Samuel Pepys, His Diary from 1659-1669, Volumes I & II, (London, Colburn, 1825)

Other royal items include a long autograph letter signed by Alexandra Feodorovna (1872-1918), wife of Tsar Nicholas II, who was murdered at Ekaterinburg. The letter is estimated at $800-1,200. A manuscript document signed and dated November 26, 1656 by Charles II, King of England (1630-1685), while in exile in Bruges. has an estimate of $800-$1,200. Items of historical significance include an autograph letter signed by the hero of the Battle of Trafalgar, Admiral Lord Nelson (estimate: $1,500-2,000). 

The standout folio in the auction is The Workes of Geoffrey Chaucer (London, Thomas Petit, circa 1550). This important early leatherbound edition of Chaucer’s works (estimate: $5,000-$8,000) is one of four variants of the undated fourth collected edition, published simultaneously by four London booksellers. It is the last edition of William Thynne's highly regarded version of The Workes of Chaucer. A later 1687 edition of the works of Chaucer is also included in the sale with an estimate of $800-$1,200.

Also going under the hammer is Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote, (London, 1652, estimate: $1,500-$2,500). This folio is the second edition in English, translated by Thomas Shelton. Shelton's first edition in 1612 was the first translation in any language from the original Spanish.  

Other highlights from the book collection include:

  • a two-volume Pepys’ Diary (London, Colburn, 1825), bound in striking red leather (estimate: $700-$1,000)
  • Ben Johnson’s The Works, (London, 1692) (estimate of $700-$1,000)
  • French diplomat Philippe de Commines’ Historie of Commines (London, 1596), first-edition, leatherbound folio (estimate: $800-$1,200)