DOCUMENT TO WELSH NONCONFORMISTS SIGNED BY WINSTON CHURCHILL

CHURCHILL, Winston. Printed document signed. London: July 11, 1910. Black-bordered printed document, one page, 8 by 12-1/2 inches. Framed with portrait of Churchill, entire piece measures 20 by 20 inches. $4500.

Printed document, a 1910 letter of appreciation signed by Churchill, sent on behalf of King George V to Welsh Nonconformists for their resolution on the death of King Edward VII.

The document, finished in hand and signed by Churchill as Secretary of State for the Home Office, July 11, 1910 and sent to R. Davies, Esq., Tuhwntirbwlch, Portmadoc [Wales], reads in full, “I am commanded by The King to convey to you hereby His Majesty’s Thanks for the Loyal and Dutiful Resolution of the nonconformists of Portmadoc on the occasion of the lamented death of His late Majesty King Edward the Seventh. I am to say that the expression of sympathy with Queen Alexandra has been laid before Her Majesty, who desires me to communicate to you Her Thanks.” On May 6, 1910, after a reign of less than 10 years, King Edward VII died and was succeeded by his son as King George V. The Nonconformists of Portmadoc who had sent this resolution were Christians who refused to conform to the Church of England. Under magnification, there appears to be some black shading under Churchill’s brown ink signature; this may have been caused by splaying of the ink or, when Churchill signed this letter, the ink was very light and he signed his name a second time, going over his first signature.

Three horizontal folds, none through Churchill’s signature. Handsomely framed and in fine condition.