French diplomat (1805-1894) who spearheaded the project to build the Suez Canal. Collection of four items signed by Lesseps, including: a carte-de-visite bust portrait by Mathieu-Deroche of Paris, signed in fountain pen, "Ferd. de Lesseps"; an AQS in French signed "Fer. de Lesseps," in full (translated), "Oriental Proverb: An ounce of fear weighs more than a hundredweight of friendship. Christian Maxim: Love ye one another"; and an endorsement in French signed within the text at the bottom of a one-page manuscript notice concerning guests visiting "channel construction sites," (translated), "The guests will not get their tickets for Calais themselves. They will ask for the saloon car reserved for Mr. de Lesseps thanks to the good offices of Mr. Cousin, Inspector of the Northern Railroads." In overall fine condition.