Sean O’CASEY (1880-1964)

Autograph Letter Signed (“Sean O’Casey”) to Beatrice King of the Anglo-Soviet Medical Aid Fund, agreeing to her using his name, and adding that “my wife is busy with an Exhibition of Photos of Soviet Life . . .”

1 page 4to, Tingritte, Totnes, 4 January 1941 [but probably 1942].   

“Allright; if you want to use my name, & think it may be of some use to you (God help you), use it.

Spluttering about in the throes of Influenza, I have but the energy to wish God speed to the gathering of the Allied Clans to send greetings, as well as tanks & guns, to the glorious Peoples of the Soviet Union. . . P.S. My wife is busy with an Exhibition of Photos of Soviet Life here, to be opened tomorrow, to help concentrate thought on medical aid for the U.S.S.R. . .”

O’Casey was a life-long supporter of the Soviet Union and referred to himself as a Communist. In this instance, however, his support was very much part of the mainstream. In the wake of Winston Churchill’s stated intention of providing support for the Soviet Union, Britain’s allies in the war against Fascist Germany, various societies were set up during the course of 1941, including Beatrice King’s Women’s Anglo-Soviet Committee, Sybil Thorndike’s Five Arts Fund, and the British Red Cross Aid for Russia Fund, headed by Clementine Churchill. These organizations did not come into existence until 1941, after the collapse of the Nazi-Soviet pact, so it would seem that O’Casey made an error in dating his letter 1941, a common mistake for many at the beginning of each year.

There is a slight hole at the top left of the letter where a staple has been removed, but it is otherwise in very good condition.

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