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Winston Churchill

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
Winston Churchill

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Auction Date:2019 Nov 06 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:15th Floor WeWork, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
World War II-dated TLS signed “Yours, v. t., Winston S. Churchill,” one page, 7.5 x 9.5, Prime Minister letterhead, July 25, 1943. Letter to Captain George Elliston, in full: "Thank you so much for your letter and for the Official Report of the proceedings in the Guildhall on June 30, which you have so kindly sent me." Churchill adds the salutation in his own hand. In fine condition, with a single file hole to the upper left corner. Accompanied by two admission tickets, a luncheon invitation, and an information pamphlet related to the "Presentation of the Freedom of the City of London to the Right Hon. Winston Spencer-Churchill" in Guildhall on June 30, 1943. Also accompanied by the original mailing envelope and a letter to Elliston from the clerk of the Chamberlain's Court inquiring whether he will be attending the ceremony.

The granting of the Honorary Freedom of the City of London is extremely rare and generally awarded only to Royalty, Heads of State, or figures of genuine global standing. It is the greatest honor the city of London can bestow and usually takes place in Guildhall in the presence of the Common Council and the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen, along with invited guests. A section of Churchill's acceptance speech delivered at the Guildhall ceremony is as follows: 'Of all the wars we have ever waged in the long continuity of our history, there has never been one which more truly united the entire British people and the British races throughout the world than this present fearful struggle for the freedom and progress of mankind.

We entered it of our own free will without being directly assaulted. We entered it upon a conviction of purpose which was clearly comprehended by all classes and parties and by the whole mass of the people and we have persevered together through good and evil fortune without the slightest weakening of our will power or division of our strength.

We entered it ill prepared and almost unarmed. We entered it without counting the cost and upon a single stupendous impulse at the call of honor. We strove long, too long, for peace and suffered thereby, but from the moment when we gave our guarantee that we would not stand by idly and see Poland trampled down by domination we have never looked back, never flagged, never doubted, never flinched. We were sure of our duty and we have discharged and will discharge it without swerving or slackening to the end.

We seek no profit, we want no territory or aggrandizement. We expect no reward and we will accept no compromise. It is on that footing that we wish to be judged, first in our own consciences and afterward by posterity.'