EDWARD VIII (1894-1972)

Autograph Letter Signed (“Edward”) to Wilson Taylor at the Bath Club in Dover Street, written as a Staff Officer attached to the XIV Army Corps commanded by General Lord Cavan.

1¾ pages 8vo in pencil, together with the original official ‘On His Majesty’s Service’ envelope addressed by Edward in ink on which he written “By Messenger”. H.Q., 14th Corps B.[ritish] E.[xpeditionary] F.[orce], 1 July 1917.   

The young Prince Edward was genuinely anxious to take an active part in the First World War; the authorities however who feared his capture by the enemy eve more than his death prevented him from running into any real danger, and he spent much of the war visiting troops and acting as a general morale-raiser. In this letter to a friend he seems resigned and weary.

“Many thanks for your kind letter of good wishes for my birthday [Edward had celebrated his twenty-third birthday on 23 June] & all the nice things you said not that I deserved them in the least!! Old Hansell [Henry Hansell, Prince Edward’s former tutor] came up and lunched with me here about 10 days ago looking very fit & he likes his job tho its a case of 12 hrs office work a day!! It is splendid of him having come out & taken on the job of DADl [Deputy Adjutant General] Heaven only knows when I shall get home again & I can only hope for the best; I fear this year is’nt going to see the end of it all!! We had it very hot a fortnight ago over 90 F in our huts in this camp tho I love the heat!! Since then we’ve had it wet & cold tho it wont last I dont thing [sic]. . . .”

Delivery

Autographs can be delivered worldwide. Delivery costs are calculated at the time of order and items will be sent by the most appropriate means, depending on your location and the value of the item. This will usually be by Royal Mail Special Delivery within the UK and Royal Mail Tracked outside the UK. 

The current delivery charges are:

• UK:

  Royal Mail Special Delivery £9.00

• Europe:

  Europe Royal Mail Tracked £15.00
  EU customers should note that, following brexit, local VAT and customs duties may apply to their purchases. 

   USA:

• Royal Mail Tracked £25.00

  Rest of the World:

• Rest of the World Tracked £20.00

   

Export Licensing

Customers should be aware that all letters and documents over 50 years old require an export licence, which may delay delivery by anything from one to three weeks. Signed photographs are not subject to export licence regulations, and can be sent immediately.

There is no charge for the export licence and I will take care of the application, the only inconvenience to you will be the delay.

Authenticity

The authenticity of the letters and documents offered is guaranteed.

Payment

Online sales orders

Payments made via the website are processed by Shopify Inc and can be made using Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

Telephone sales orders

Items may be purchased by phone. Please contact me using the website Contact Form and I will call you within 48 hours to discuss your requirements. Payment for purchases ordered by phone can be paid upon receipt of the invoice and must be paid within 7 days. Phone orders can be paid by cheque (in pounds sterling only) or bank transfer.

Items will be reserved for one week following the order confirmation and will be dispatched either within 7 days after full payment has been received, or after any required export licenses have been granted.

Returns Policy

Should you be in any way dissatisfied with your purchase, items may be returned within six weeks of delivery and a full refund will be made upon receipt of the returned item. The item must be received by Richmond Autographs in the same condition as when dispatched.  For full details, please read our Terms and Conditions.