A typed letter signed by Winston S. Churchill on Chartwell letterhead, 18 April 1939, to Reeves Shaw, editor of The Strand Magazine, concerning a proposed article on Anthony Eden. Churchill writes: "I think I might undertake this for you unless events in the next few days sharpen unduly. I have a great deal on hand at the present time, and the situation is changing so rapidly that it is difficult to make plans."
The hesitation was warranted. Franco had declared victory in Spain on 1 April, Mussolini invaded Albania on the 7th, Britain introduced conscription within the month, and Hitler was about to repudiate the Anglo-German Naval Agreement. Shaw's invitation of 6 April had asked for "a frank character study of Mr. Anthony Eden," conceding the subject might present "embarrassments" (Churchill Archives Center, CHAR 8/624), and proposed £250 for some 3,000 words; Eden had resigned as Foreign Secretary in February 1938 in protest at appeasement, making any candid assessment by his closest political ally a delicate commission.
Churchill accepted, and the article appeared in the August 1939 Strand, weeks before the outbreak of war. In it he reported that Americans saw Eden as "the young Sir Galahad, who stood for the great causes of freedom and the maintenance of law against tyranny and aggression," and predicted, "it may well be that he will lead our country in days when leadership will ever more be needed." Eden served as Churchill's wartime Foreign Secretary and succeeded him as Prime Minister.
Single sheet, typed on one side with autograph salutation and signature. Central creases where folded, slight chips and short closed tears at fold ends, light toning; good overall.
Provenance: Sotheby's, 22 July 1982, lot 154.
A typed letter signed by Winston S. Churchill on Chartwell letterhead, 18 April 1939, to Reeves Shaw, editor of The Strand Magazine, concerning a proposed article on Anthony Eden. Churchill writes: "I think I might undertake this for you unless events in the next few days sharpen unduly. I have a great deal on hand at the present time, and the situation is changing so rapidly that it is difficult to make plans."
The hesitation was warranted. Franco had declared victory in Spain on 1 April, Mussolini invaded Albania on the 7th, Britain introduced conscription within the month, and Hitler was about to repudiate the Anglo-German Naval Agreement. Shaw's invitation of 6 April had asked for "a frank character study of Mr. Anthony Eden," conceding the subject might present "embarrassments" (Churchill Archives Center, CHAR 8/624), and proposed £250 for some 3,000 words; Eden had resigned as Foreign Secretary in February 1938 in protest at appeasement, making any candid assessment by his closest political ally a delicate commission.
Churchill accepted, and the article appeared in the August 1939 Strand, weeks before the outbreak of war. In it he reported that Americans saw Eden as "the young Sir Galahad, who stood for the great causes of freedom and the maintenance of law against tyranny and aggression," and predicted, "it may well be that he will lead our country in days when leadership will ever more be needed." Eden served as Churchill's wartime Foreign Secretary and succeeded him as Prime Minister.
Single sheet, typed on one side with autograph salutation and signature. Central creases where folded, slight chips and short closed tears at fold ends, light toning; good overall.
Provenance: Sotheby's, 22 July 1982, lot 154.
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