Holograph Addressed Envelope.
England's World War Two prime minister (1940-45, 1951-55) was a high-level statesman and six-decade Member of Parliament; a prolific writer as well, his 6-volume memoir "The Second World War" is a classic and his 4-volume "A History of the English-Speaking Peoples" highly regarded, in 1953 he was awarded the 1953 Nobel Prize for literature. Item #52509
Envelope addressed (not signed) in his hand, 5" X 4", n.p., n.y. [but bearing red postal cancellation in London on 29 November 1942]. Very good. Mildly age toned and edgeworn, with single triangular 1½" chip at upper right. Churchill addresses this buff-colored envelope in blue ink at center: "Vernon Bartlett Esq M.P. / House of Commons / S.W. 1." Likely a postal employee pencilled a line through "House of Commons," adding "News-Chronicle" below it, and pencilled a line through Churchill's postal code and substituted "EC4" below. (Bartlett served as diplomatic correspondent for this daily newspaper from 1933 to 1954.) Black circular "First Lord of the Treasury" inkstamp -- a post Churchill held automatically as prime minister -- appears at lower left. Bartlett (1893-1983) was a Member of Parliament (1938-50) as well as journalist and author. He and Churchill shared certain views, though they differed on many. A notable correspondence between the two took place in November 1942, apparently concerning Bartlett's critique of the wartime government's policies -- presumably published in a newspaper article. Churchill penned him a letter of praise for his views and this was likely the envelope bearing that letter (today housed at the Churchill Archives Centre). Upper left corner bears small pencilled notation by Mary A. Benjamin (1905-98), dean of American autograph dealers and author of the 1946 classic "Autographs: A Key to Collecting." Just a handwriting sample, not signed, but unusual and with intriguing background -- and accompanied by a superb original glossy 10" X 8" news agency photograph. Near fine. Miniscule miniature staple hole in margin at lower left (not affecting image). Mimeographed descriptive text neatly tipped to the verso captions the image "Momentous F.D.R. -- Churchill Meeting on High Seas," dates it 14 August 1941, and describes the scene: "President Roosevelt, left, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill pictured during their historic meeting on the high seas aboard H.M.S. Prince of Wales, August 10th, at which they formulated the peace aims of the Democratic powers...." This closeup image shows Roosevelt and Churchill seated on deck shows chatting amiably.
Price: $750.00