Start of the sale:
Friday, 20 July 2018 at 09:37
Item n°608342563
Sale ends:
Tuesday, 31 July 2018 at 10:30
Lot:
#5001
Catalogue:
Estimated price:
between £3,500.00 and £5,000.00
1936 OUTSTANDING AND UNIQUE ROYAL CORRESPONDENCE & GIFT. Eight wonderful items relating to the personal relationship between the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and the Queen Mother) and Frank Webber L.R.I.B.A. architect and a director of the builders William Willet Ltd of Sloane Square during the time he was in charge of the design and building of the two new wings at the Royal Lodge, Windsor. Includes three letters handwritten and signed "Albert" the Duke of York, a Christmas card with a personal note from the (by then) King, a silver cigarette case given by their majesty's to Mr Webber and a couple of envelopes hand addressed by the Duke. The first letter on "Birkhall, Ballater" notepaper dated 25th August 1935 "Dear Mr Webber...Please carry on with this work & let me know at intervals how the work is progressing..." signed "Albert" shows royal interest in the costs and alterations required. The second letter on "Glamis Castle" notepaper written on 15th October 1935 to a Mr Freeman Smith of the co-contractors Lenyon & Morant Ltd, Decorators thanking him for the works so far undertaken and "You are very lucky in having a man like Webber in your firm.... I have found him invaluable in all my dealings with him & your firm..." again signed "Albert" - this is accompanied by a letter from Freeman- Smith to Webber "I feel I would like you to keep the enclosed letter" which nicely illustrates how Mr Webber received it; The third letter written on "Royal Lodge" notepaper on 3rd November 1935 to Mr Webber referring to additional small jobs and the "brushing room" signed "Albert" making reference to “Annie” (the Dukes name for the Duchess, which he used in private) with the envelope hand addressed by the Duke and endorsed by him “A”. About this time the Duke and Duchess of York gave Mr Webber a present of an elegant silver cigarette box (140mm x 92mm x 47mm) by the Crown Jewellers Garrard & Co. Ltd bearing the monogram "A & E" (Albert and Elizabeth) Mr Webber recalled the Duchess saying "I know you do not smoke but your wife can keep pins in it!". Finally a 1936 Christmas Card incorporating an aerial photograph of the Royal Lodge signed both "Elizabeth" and "Albert" in their hands with an additional handwritten note "The House that Webber built!!" in the Dukes hand on Royal Lodge paper originally attached by paper clip to appear opposite the photograph - it is interesting to note that this cheery message and card was penned at the height of the abdication crisis which came to a head on 10 December, the card being mailed on 22 December (the damaged envelope, also hand addressed by the then King and endorsed "A" is also included!) An outstanding and intact group accompanied by a letter from Mr Webbers son giving further details and background. Includes 4 letters with 3 signed “Albert”, 1 Christmas card signed “Elizabeth” and “Albert”, 2 envelopes hand addressed by the Duke before and after his brothers abdication and a silver cigarette box by Garrards with the Duke and Duchesses personal monogram. Amazing. For more images, please visit https://www.sandafayre.com/itemdetails.aspx?s=629453
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