Description:

Winston S. Churchill
Royal Palace, Brussels, Belgium, September 28, 1946
Winston Churchill PSA/DNA TLS Re: 1946 Blackpool Conservative Party Conference, Where He Reiterated Calls for United Europe First Presented A Few Weeks Earlier at Zurich University Address, With Outstanding Provenance!
TLS
A 1p typed letter signed by former British premier Winston Churchill (1874-1965), as "Yours sincerely, / Winston S. Churchill" near bottom center. Churchill has additionally inscribed the words "My dear Sir" as a salutation, as well as the word "much" above the first line of the second paragraph. September 28, 1946. Royal Palace, Brussels, Belgium. On watermarked laid stationery with Churchill's London address at 28, Hyde Park Gate embossed at the letterhead. Expected wear including flattened paper folds, the central horizontal fold with minor closed tears at either edge. Hole-punched and with minor paper loss at the upper left corner. Else very good to near fine. 8" x 10." The letter is accompanied by a vintage photograph related to the events discussed in Churchill's letter, to be further described below. A letter of provenance from the letter recipient's descendant is included. With PSA/DNA LOA.

Winston Churchill addressed this letter to James Simpson, Mayor of Latham St. Annes (1945-46). In a letter dated September 23, 1946, Simpson had invited Churchill to make an appearance at the town hall of Latham St. Annes, a small seaside town in the Borough of Fylde in Lancashire, England located about eight miles southeast of Blackpool. Churchill was scheduled to be in the area in early October in order to accept the Freedom of the City of Blackpool, and to attend a Conservative Party Conference in the city. At this time, Churchill was a sitting member of parliament representing Woodford, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Leader of the Conservative Party. His letter underscores how busy he is.

Churchill wrote in part:

"… I and my daughter, Miss Mary Churchill [future Mary Soames, Baroness Soames (1922-2014)], will be pleased to visit the Town Hall and sign the distinguished visitors' book.

I shall be very much pressed during my visit to Blackpool as, not only have I the Freedom Ceremony on Friday, October 4, but also much political work in connection with the Party Conference. I hope therefore you will not mind if I do not stay more than five minutes…"

Churchill visited the Town Hall at Latham St. Annes sometime during his Blackpool itinerary, as can be seen in the vintage photograph included in the lot. The black and white gelatin silver print shows Churchill signing the open guest book; Mayor James Simpson, wearing his mayoral chain of office and fur-trimmed robe, can be seen at Churchill's left. The photograph is inscribed "Uncle Jim / Winston Church--" in the upper right corner verso, above some extensive mounting traces. Near fine. 7.875" x 5.875."

During his visit, Churchill received the Freedom of the City of Blackpool, an honorary award granted to dignitaries; recipients were called freemen. The tradition was a legacy from the Middle Ages, when serfs were awarded their freedom. At this ceremony, as well as at the Conservative Party Conference at Blackpool, Churchill recycled ideas from an earlier speech into his public statements.

Just two weeks before, on September 19, 1946, Churchill had delivered an address at the University of Zurich that electrified post-war Europe. In his speech, Churchill articulated the philosophical underpinnings of what would become the European Union. To rebuild Europe, Churchill pointed to a "sovereign remedy" -- "to recreate the European fabric, or as much of it as we can, and to provide it with a structure under which it can dwell in peace, safety and freedom. We must build a kind of United States of Europe… I believe that the larger synthesis can only survive if it is founded upon broad natural groupings. There is already a natural grouping in the Western Hemisphere…. These do not weaken, on the contrary they strengthen, the world organization… And why should there not be a European group which could give a sense of enlarged patriotism and common citizenship to the distracted peoples of this mighty continent?"

At the Conservative Party conference in Blackpool on October 4, 1946, Churchill renewed his calls for a pan-European political entity. Churchill asked his audience, "Why should we not also have a United States of Europe… Let Europe arise. Let there be friendship among her people. Let bitter feuds and quarrels pass away. We cannot afford to go forward dragging these hatreds upon us…"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Provenance: The Churchill signed letter is accompanied by a letter of authenticity provided by Ann Merryweather, the great-niece of Mayor James Simpson. In her signed statement dated October 28, 2012, Merryweather wrote in part: "James and Margaret Simpson were Mayor and Mayoress of Lytham St. Annes in September 1946… I confirm that these documents are genuine and that I remember the occasion of Mr. Churchill's visit to Lytham St. Annes Town Hall…"

    A Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA Authentication Services, certification number AO07048, dated May 2, 2024, comes with the lot.
  • Dimensions: 8" x 10"
  • Medium: TLS

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