Description:

George VI of England King

Future George VI ALS Regarding George V's Death: "He had lived such a selfless life, + had set us all so great an example, that if we follow his ideals we cannot go far wrong..."

 

2pp ALS on "The Royal Lodge, The Great Park, Windsor, Berks" watermarked mourning stationery, inscribed overall and signed by future George VI as "Albert" on the second page. In very good to near fine condition, with light paper folds and wrinkles. Each page measures 4.25" x 6.75."

 

Future George VI and then Duke of York Albert Frederick Arthur George (1895-1952) wrote this note on February 15, 1936 from the Royal Lodge, his 30-room country retreat near Windsor Castle. In it, he thanked an unknown correspondent for condolences on the recent death of his father, George V (1865-1936).

 

"My dear George,

 

I was so pleased to receive your very kind letter of sympathy about the death of my father. It came as a great shock to me + it has left such a blank in my life.

 

He had lived such a selfless life, + had set us all so great an example, that if we follow his ideals we cannot go far wrong.

 

Again thanking you so very much

 

Yours very sincerely

 

Albert".

 

George V had died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease less than a month earlier, on January 20, 1936. Albert's elder brother, who would be styled Edward VIII, ruled for 11 months before abdicating in mid-December 1936. Here, "the spare" gave his thoughts on leadership, not knowing that less than a year later he would have the opportunity to follow his own advice.

 

George VI faced two enormous challenges during his 16-year reign: World War II and postcolonialism. The accidental monarch kept morale high by delivering patriotic wartime speeches on the radio, overcoming his lifetime speech impediment and natural timidity. He also oversaw the transition from British Empire to the Commonwealth of Nations.

 

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