Metz: P. Didion, [1870]. Wonderful military certificate of competency in the art of cane fighting. Soldiers were expected to pass many different competencies. This particular diploma was awarded to Monsieur Joseph Franc of the 115th French Infantry Regiment. Complete with the ink signatures of attending instructors. Undated, but circa 1870. 325 x 490 mm (12¾ x 19¼ inches). Has some stains and closed tears, but generally in a good condition. In the 1800s carrying a walking stick / cane was a symbol of a gentleman who was fashion conscious, but one who was also ready to defend himself. Whilst fencing was still practiced, it did not enjoy the same popularity with the newly empowered bourgeoisie. Enterprising fencing masters soon translated their skills to the use of the walking stick or la canne. Fascinatingly, 'la canne de combat' is still a sport practiced today by thousands of cannistes around the world. Magnifique certificat militaire de compétence dans l'art du combat à la canne. Les soldats devaient acquérir de nombreuses compétences différentes. Ce diplôme particulier a été décerné à Monsieur Joseph Franc du 115e Régiment d'Infanterie Française. Compléter avec les signatures à l'encre des instructeurs présents. Non daté, mais vers 1870. 325 x 490 mm (12¾ x 19¼ pouces). A quelques taches et déchirures fermées, mais généralement en bon état. Dans les années 1800, porter une canne / une canne était le symbole d'un gentleman soucieux de la mode, mais également prêt à se défendre. Alors que l'escrime était encore pratiquée, elle ne jouissait pas de la même popularité auprès de la bourgeoisie nouvellement investie. Les maîtres d'armes entreprenants ont rapidement traduit leurs compétences dans l'utilisation de la canne ou de la canne. Fascinant, la canne de combat est toujours un sport pratiqué aujourd'hui par des milliers de cannistes à travers le monde.

Totnes: James Cauty: 2007. Limited Edition Print onto 315 gsm archival paper. Edition of 99 - numbered and stamped (this is 35/99). Believe the Magic, OMK Page Edition. 'Operation Magic Kingdom' was a billboard and street poster campaign in London (2007) against the Iraq war. Also released as stamps and prints. OMK blind stamped and hand numbered in pencil to front. Also official CNPD red stamp on back. With 4 binding holes in the left hand margin. Dimensions: 35,8 cm x 30.5cm James (Jimmy) Cauty, was formerly a musician with the band 'The Orb', and was a member of 'KLF'. More recently, he has been an artist, creating works of dissent, and working alongside artists such as Banksy and Billy Childish. He has been involved in Steve Lowe's L-13 Light Industrial workshop. He created the gift shop at Banksy's 'Dismaland'. His work also toured as part of the ADP (Aftermath Dislocation Principle) Riot Tour.

New York: Arianne Lancell / Alsparck, 1983. Original lithograph of a bearded man in a Winter hat. Part of a suite of work based on Carmilla, the gothic novel by the Irish writer Sheridan Le Fanu. Signed in pencil. Numbered 29 / 297 copies. Authenticated by the artist's own dry stamp (a cat's head). On vellum. Very good condition as the work has never been framed. Sold unframed. 555 x 455 mm (21¾ x 18 inches).
The description for this character in the novel reads: This evening there arrived from Gratz the grave, dark-faced son of the picture-cleaner, with a horse and cart laden with two large packing cases, having many pictures in each. Lithographie originale d'un homme barbu dans un chapeau d'hiver. Fait partie d'une série d'œuvres basées sur Carmilla, le roman gothique de l'écrivain irlandais Sheridan Le Fanu. Signé au crayon. Numéroté 29 / 297 exemplaires. Authentifié par le propre tampon sec de l'artiste (une tête de chat). Sur vélin. Très bon état car l'oeuvre n'a jamais été encadrée. Vendu sans cadre. 555 x 455 mm (21¾ x 18 pouces).
La description de ce personnage dans le roman se lit comme suit : Ce soir arriva de Gratz le fils grave et sombre du nettoyeur de tableaux, avec un cheval et une charrette chargés de deux grandes caisses d'emballage, contenant chacune de nombreuses images.

Totnes: James Cauty, 2005. Limited Edition Print onto 315 gsm archival paper. Edition of 29 stamped and numbered (this is 10/29). Part of the 'Stamps of Mass Destruction' campaign also released as stamps and prints. Stamped and hand numbered in ink on front, showing "Cautese National Postal Disservice" and the "C.N.P.D. Stamps of Mass Destruction Limited Edition". With this print is the COA (Certificate of Authentication) from Cauty - an attractive design, numbered. This is one of James Cauty's famous anti-occupation of Iraq protest prints. These stamps were the subject of a legal action in 2003 by UK's Royal Mail alleging copyright infringement. Dimensions: 32.8 x 30.5 cm. James (Jimmy) Cauty, was formerly a musician with the band 'The Orb', and was a member of 'KLF'. More recently, he has been an artist, creating works of dissent, and working alongside artists such as Banksy and Billy Childish. He has been involved in Steve Lowe's L-13 Light Industrial workshop. He created the gift shop at Banksy's 'Dismaland'. His work also toured as part of the ADP (Aftermath Dislocation Principle) Riot Tour.

Totnes: James Cauty, 2005. Limited Edition Print onto 315 gsm archival paper. Edition of 65 stamped and numbered (this is 06/65). Part of the 'Stamps of Mass Destruction' campaign also released as stamps and prints. Stamped and hand numbered in ink to front. "Cautese National Postal Disservice" certificate inclused. Has the "C.N.P.D. Stamps of Mass Destruction Limited Edition". This is one of James Cauty's famous anti-occupation of Iraq protest prints. These stamps were the subject of a legal action in 2003 by Royal Mail alleging copyright infringement. Dimensions: 32.8 x 30.5 cm. James (Jimmy) Cauty, was formerly a musician with the band 'The Orb', and was a member of 'KLF'. More recently, he has been an artist, creating works of dissent, and working alongside artists such as Banksy and Billy Childish. He has been involved in Steve Lowe's L-13 Light Industrial workshop. He created the gift shop at Banksy's 'Dismaland'. His work also toured as part of the ADP (Aftermath Dislocation Principle) Riot Tour.

London: G. Baxter, 1853. Two framed prints of famous images. One is entitled: "Australia. News from Home". This first depicting a group of men inside a wooden building in Australia. Two of whom appear indigenous. The other entitled: "News from Abroad". This showing a family gathered around for the reading of a letter, whilst on the wall there is a poster promoting emigration to Australia. Both from paintings by Harden Sidney Melville, and engraved, printed and published by G. Baxter. They are cropped, so no longer have the Baxter stamp at the bottom. Tipped on to card and mounted in wooden frames under glass. Each measures: 110 mm x 150 mm. Total size including frame: 260 mm x 290 mm. They have a label to the rear which says they were framed by The Petersfield Book Shop. In very good condition. (Price is for the pair).

Paris: Rüe de la Harpe vis a vis le Soleil d'Or, 1737. Original etching. Depicts a follower of Bacchus in the centre, on the left a man with a thyrsus standing in a giant cup and drinking from a conch shell; and on the right a statue of Pan on a plinth. Etching is annotated in the lower left Bouchardon del. Under gold edged duck egg blue passe-partout. Has a small area of green (paint?) to bottom left. Otherwise very good. Actual image size: 210 x 145 mm (8¼ x 5¾ inches). Gravure originale. Représente un disciple de Bacchus au centre, à gauche un homme avec un thyrse debout dans une coupe géante et buvant dans une conque ; et à droite une statue de Pan sur un socle. L'eau-forte est annotée en bas à gauche Bouchardon del. Sous passe-partout bleu canard bordé d'or. A une petite zone de vert (peinture?) En bas à gauche. Sinon très bien. Taille réelle de l'image : 210 x 145 mm (8¼ x 5¾ pouces).

Valencia: Hija de E. Mirabet, 1928. An anonymous colour lithographic poster, mounted on linen. "Chang and Fak-Hong's United Magicians presents The Bhuda". 63.5 x 44 cm. Chang and Fak Hong were a popular illusionist duo of the 1920s and 1930s, renowned throughout Europe and the United States. Very good condition. A few foxing spots to the white and cream edges. Slight fraying to the undressed linen edge. Overall very attractive. Affiche lithographique couleur anonyme, marouflée sur toile de lin. "Les magiciens unis de Chang et Fak-Hong présentent le Bhuda". 63,5 x 44 cm. Chang et Fak Hong étaient un duo illusionniste populaire des années 1920 et 1930, renommé dans toute l'Europe et les États-Unis. Très bonne condition. Quelques rousseurs sur les bords blanc et crème. Légère effilochage au bord du lin dévêtu. Globalement très attractif.

London: F.G. Moon, 1842. A lovely copy of this tinted lithograph, produced by the skilled lithographer Louis Haghe and published by F.G. Moon. The publisher's details are printed in the plate, and state that it was printed 1st December 1842. Framed in a more recent dark green passe partout and dark hardwood frame. The visible area of the lithograph is 540 x 380 mm (21¼ by 15 inches). It will be slightly larger under the passe partout - the sheet size is 23 5/8" x 17 1/4". Frame size is 720 x 560 mm (28¼ x 22 inches). If sold online will be sold without frame. David Roberts, (1796-1864) was a successful Scottish artist, in 1838 traveled throughout the Middle East and produced many paintings. On his return to England, he and lithographer Louis Haghe published a hand-coloured six volume set of his works covering Egypt and Nubia and the Holy Land.