Autograph Letter Signed.
This conservative British politician was a long-time Member of Parliament, and is well remembered for his tenure as Government Chief Whip (Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury) from 1931 to 1940; he served as Churchill's Secretary of State for War from 1940 to 1942. ALS, 4pp, 4½" X 7¼", London, England, n.y. [1937] February 15. Addressed to Pauline Astor Spender Clay (1880-1972, widow of Herbert Henry Spender Clay, 1875-1937, Member of Parliament and Privy Counsellor). Very good. Very good. Slight soiling to first page; single staple hole (not affecting text) at upper left corner of both leaves. On letterhead bearing an oval "Treasury S.W." blind emboss, Margessen writes graciously about the death of his friend, the recipient's spouse: "I am distressed beyond words to hear the tragic news of Bertie's death. It is an unbelievable shock and I grieve for you more than I can say. I loved Bertie. No man ever had a more loyal and real friend than he was to me. I relied on him and his judgment, he was always willing to be consulted and to advise. He never failed me. His going makes a terrible gap impossible to fill. The sad news will shock his host of friends in the House of Commons profoundly. He was much loved and respected and had no enemies. There are few about whom that can be said with truth...." Beautifully penned in black ink in Margessen's unusual stylized script. Item #31635
Price: $55.00