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100 NELSON – CLARKE, James Stanier, & John McArthur. The Life of Admiral Lord Nelson. London: Printed by T. Bensley, for T. Cadell and W. Davies, and W. Miller, 1809 nelson the legend First edition of “one of the main foundation stones of the Nelson legend” (Cannadine, p. 99), wonderfully illustrated with plates by Richard Westall and battle scenes by Nicholas Pocock, printed by one of the best printers of the day on superior quality paper, in all a fitting tribute to the national hero. This handsome copy has appropriate maritime provenance, firstly with the armorial bookplate of John Lind (1750–1831), physician to Haslar Royal Naval Hospital, a position in which he succeeded his father, who was author of A Treatise of the Scurvy (1753); secondly with the bookplate of Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Gowlland (1903–1988), with a typed letter signed by C. M. Bruce of the Admiralty, recording the book’s presentation to him in 1935 as winner of the Henry Leigh Carslake Prize, an essay competition “to reward Naval Observers who wrote compellingly on topics surrounding the Fleet Air Arm” (Dreadnought Project website). At the time of presentation, Gowlland was serving at the School of Naval Co-operation, Lee-on-Solent; previously he had been on observer duties with various ships of the Atlantic Fleet and in the Mediterranean. 2 volumes, quarto (340 × 270 mm). Contemporary russia neatly rebacked with the original spines laid down, spines lettered in gilt, covers bordered in gilt and blind, marbled endpapers and edges. Frontispiece and 3 other plates to vol. I, 7 plates to vol. II, 4 of them accompanied by plans, headpieces, vignettes, and facsimiles to the text, double page pedigree to vol. I. A little rubbed at extremities, slight tape mark to front endpaper of vol. I (where letter previously tipped-in), small wax stain at fore edge of vol. I encroaching just slightly onto blank margin of a couple of gatherings, some light browning and scattered foxing, but overall a very good copy. ¶ Cowie 173; Lowndes II p. 473; NMN , II, 921. David Cannadine, ed., Admiral Lord Nelson: Context and Legacy , 2005. £3,250 [46705]
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99 NEHRU, Jawaharlal. Portrait photograph inscribed to German foreign minister Heinrich von Brentano. [1956] presented to the west german foreign minister Inscribed by Nehru at foot “To Dr Heinrich von Brentano with all good wishes Jawaharlal Nehru 16.7.1956”. Heinrich von Brentano (1904–1964) was West German foreign minister from 1955 to 1961; Nehru was prime minister of India throughout the same period. Diplomatic relations between India and West Germany were established in 1951. The photograph was inscribed during Nehru’s first visit to West Germany. “Diplomatically well prepared, Nehru’s first visit to Germany as India’s prime minister in July 1956 was a success. Nehru was impressed with the cordial reception and also by his conversations with [chancellor] Adenauer” (Rothermund, p. 4). Nehru and Brentano’s relations were generally positive. Nehru skilfully cultivated both sides during the Cold War, but leant towards the West, and he refrained from recognizing East Germany. West Germany provided economic aid to India, and German cultural institutes were founded in several Indian cities. West Germany and India’s relations would decline in the coming two decades, with Germany condemning the Indian annexation of Goa in 1961, and criticizing India’s support for the liberation movement in East Pakistan. Nehru’s portrait was taken by Yousuf Karsh, one of the great photographers of the 20th century, whose sitters included Churchill, Eisenhower, Khrushchev, Truman, and Indira Gandhi. Portrait photograph, 29 × 24 cm, with original protective acetate, housed in original brown leather presentation folder. Slight toning to photograph with small stain at bottom right corner, minor rubbing to folder; very good. ¶ Dietmar Rothermund, “Indo-German Relations: From Cautious Beginning to Robust Partnership”, India Quarterly , vol. 66, no. 1, 2010. £3,000 [158532]
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