Group lot of three documents issued to South African Jurist Charles W. H. Lansdown, containing three DSs signed by important world leaders: American President Franklin D. Roosevelt, King George V, and South African Prime Minister J. B. M. Hertzog. The lot includes:
DS as president, signed “Franklin D. Roosevelt,” one page, 10 x 14, May 8, 1933. President Roosevelt appoints Lansdown as “the American non-national Member of the Permanent International Commission provided for in the Treaty of Arbitration and Conciliation between the United States and Switzerland, signed at Washington February 16, 1931.” Signed at the conclusion by Franklin D. Roosevelt and countersigned by Secretary of State Cordell Hull.
DS, signed “George R. I.,” two pages, 9.75 x 14.75, March 11, 1930. The king appoints Lansdown as “Our undoubted Commissioner, Procurator, and Plenipotentiary in respect of Our Union of South Africa,” at the forthcoming “Conference at the Hague concerning the Codification of International Law.” Signed at the top of the first page by King George V.
DS, signed “J. B. M. Herzog,” one page, 8.5 x 13.5, February 18, 1930. Prime Minister Herzog appoints Lansdown, “Advocate of the Supreme Court of the Union of South Africa, to be the Delegate of the Union of South Africa” at an International Conference that “will take place at The Hague of the 13 March, 1930, for the Codification of International Law, and more particularly for the consideration of the documentation to be submitted to the Conference, dealing with questions of Nationality, Territorial Waters and Responsibility of States for Damage caused in their territory to the person or property of Foreigners.” Signed at the conclusion by Herzog. In overall very good to fine condition, with staining to Herzog, edge toning to George, and edge wear to Roosevelt.
The League of Nations Codification Conference was held in The Hague from March 13th to April 12, 1930, to formulate accepted rules in international law for subjects that until then were not addressed thoroughly. The conference's main achievement was the conclusion of the first international convention on the conflict of nationality laws. The conference dealt with three main issues on its agenda: nationality laws of various states; territorial waters; and responsibility of states for damage done in their territory to the person or property of foreigners.
