For the collector of Victoriana or autographs of noted writers, here is an authentic signature of the English 19th century novelist and satirist WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY (1811-1863), found on what appears to be a library slip. The writing on the slip refers to the borrowing of the book "Histoire de la Reine Zarah et les Zarasiens", 1712. This little piece of history gives some indication of the reading habits of the famous author...

An original copper plate engraved map, with hand coloring of country outlines, and also in the cartouche, titled there, at lower left, "A Map of Turky, Arabia and Persia", the first edition by Georges de l'Isle in 1701, this being the somewhat later revised 1721 edition by noted cartographer of the day John Senex (1678-ca. 1740). This map, 19" by 23" (22 1/2" by 26 1/2" as framed) was considered to be the first modern map of the Arabian Peninsula before the middle of the 18th century...

For the history buff and autograph collector, an opportunity to acquire a nicely presented 1926 Italian document bearing the bold signatures of both King Vittorio Emanuele III (1869-1947) and Benito Mussolini (1883-1945), the infamous Italian dictator known as "Il Duce". The document, entirely in Italian, appears to deal with perfunctory details of an appointment, perhaps a 1920's military appointment of one Baldassare Francesco...

An albumen photograph of the Swedish flagged Olga on the Nile river. The riverboats were known as dahabiya and typically travelled from Cairo upriver to either Luxor or Aswan on a forty or fifty day journey. Travel on one of these dahabiya was usually luxurious, for the times. The flag on the stern mast is that of Sweden, the one on the foremast is that of Egypt, then part of the Ottoman Empire. Very faintly signed in the negative lower left, “Lengaki” and in the lower right, “No. 613...

An unsigned albumen photograph titled in the negative in the lower left, “590. Shachem (Nablous).” The photograph depicts trees in the foreground, a crumbling square stone tower, the city of Nablus and the hills beyond. It is mounted on tan paper. The image is 6 1/8 x 8 1/8 inches (15.5 x 20.5 cm) mounted in a 10 x 13 inches (25 x 33 cm) mat.

Condition: Good with small surface imperfections and a little discoloration along the left edge.

An albumen photograph of the Ghats from across the River Ganges. On the shore below the photographer is a man in the stern of a small boat and another boat to the far left with a large expanse of river dividing them from the bathing Ghats lined up on the far bank of the Ganges. The studio stamp for Thomas A. Rust (English, 1841-1904) is on the back. Also, on the back in pencil, “General view of Bathing Ghats Benares.” 8 1/8 x 10 7/8 inches (20.5 x 28 cm)...

Very nicely presented, wall-ready antique map centered on the Americas, 1784, by Paris-based late 18th century cartographer Jean Janvier. The map, 19" by 25 3/4"inside the mat and 30 3/4" by 36 3/4" in new black ornate frame, is generally in fresh, clean condition, with center fold and some unevenness of the paper, which photographs as shadows or brown areas...

An absolutely gorgeous and superior unheated, untreated ruby from the famed gem mines of Mogok weighing 1.23ct. Gorgeous shade of purplish red, and certificated as such, absolutely beautiful! The stone is, astonishingly, eye clean table up and almost but not quite loupe clean as well - overall clarity is almost unprecedented in this excellence for the genre - unheated ruby from this origin will inevitably have multiple inclusions but this one is exceptionally clean indeed...

A handwritten letter mounted on an old board, along with old photographic reproductions of two of the artist's works, by well listed French 19th century artist JEAN-JACQUES HENNER (1829-1905). The letter is entirely in French, written in old brown ink, on one page (though there are three other unused sides), and is undated. An old mat with hand-drawn and painted borders (removable) is fitted over openings made for the letter and photos...

A sepia toned silver print of a Bedouin shepherd with his flock grazing on sparsely covered ground below a hill. In the lower right corner is the blind stamp, “American Colony/Jerusalem.” The original dates from around 1920 and this would appear to be a print of roughly that age. The Number 161 is stamped on the back. The photograph is 8 ¼ x 11 ¼ inches includes a thin margin.

Condition: excellent...

An albumen photograph by Felis Bonfils (French 1829-1885) showing a group of dahabiya moored on Gezira Island with the original Kasr el Nil bridge over the Nile at Cairo showing in the background. The bridge opened in 1872. Dahabiya were boats for tourists cruising up the Nile to either Luxor or Aswan on trips lasting respectively about forty or fifty days. These were luxury tourist accommodation and the central experience of a tour of Egypt in the late 19th century...

An albumen photograph of the Kas Mahal, the Royal residence inside the Red Fort at Agra built by Shah Jahan from 1632 to 1640. The photo shows the building and in the distance on the right the Taj Mahal. Signed in the negative, “Rust,” and possibly with the number 8. Also, on the reverse is the photographer’s stamp...

An absolutely gorgeous natural Melo pearl from the glorious waters of the Andaman Sea weighing 6.41ct. Colour is a lovely hue of yellowish orange, possibly a tad lighter compared to our pics, absolutely natural and absolutely lovely. Beautiful natural patterns as evidenced by our pics. The shape is a baroque pear/drop shape, ideal for a stunning designer pendant. We will accept only a close offer on the pearl - it already represents excellent value. Polished. Absolutely perfect for a stunning de...

Most appealing grade A Jadeite Jade Cabochon weighing 1.83ct. The jade is Grade A, untreated, from Burma, a medium hue of green in colour, most attractive, very good translucency. Very attractive indeed and absolutely grade A jade directly from the source. Shipping $18 registered airmail

Extremely Rare Panjshir/Swat Emerald 5.46ct, Minor Oil GRS Certificate. Colour is a delightful deep green. Minor oil only. Fully GRS certificated. Exceptionally rare and collectible, and absolutely certain to appreciate in value as time goes by. Shipping DHL

An absolutely stunning Saltwater Akoya Pearl necklace from Japan featuring this array of wonderful natural coloured cultured Pearls. These are cultured pearls and NOT Chinese freshwater pearls! Wonderful lustre. Inevitably marked in places on most pearls but when worn, wow does this look fantastic! Lovely lustre and excellent roundness. 8.90mm down to 8.50mm approx. Clasp is silver top, GSV bottom. We only ship DHL and can only ship to destinations currently accepted by them

A simply exceptional, rare and completely untreated/unheated Sapphire from Mogok in Burma weighing an impressive 3.06ct. The colour is an almost pure hue of medium blue, not too light and not too dark, just as blue sapphire should be - extremely lovely indeed. The gem has *exceptional* clarity for an Unheated Burmese sapphire and is not only eye clean to all but the very eagle eyed but simply has some tiny inclusions and banding visible only under magnification. This is one of the best value Bur...

A simply stunning and completely unheated/untreated Blue Sapphire from the famous gem mines of Ratnapura in Sri Lanka weighing an extrardinary 13.65ct. Colour is a superb medium blue in colour - absolutely gorgeous. The stone is virtually eye clean to all but the very eagle eyed and the overall clarity is stunning for such a large unheated sapphire! Cutting is to the highest of international standards and there is no windowing in the stone - the gem is additionally extremely bright and lively w...