Description:

George Bernard Shaw
n.p., ca. December 17, 1936
George Bernard Shaw 1936 Abdication Press Questionnaire, Signed & With 330+ Words In His Hand!
Archive

An interesting archive relating to the 1936 abdication of King Edward VIII, as interpreted by Irish writer and pundit George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950). The lot includes an original typed letter signed cover sheet featuring Shaw's signature and handwritten postscript; a 2pp partly typed questionnaire with autograph responses in Shaw's hand, totaling some 326 words; a 2pp carbon copy of Shaw's responses, typed; and a bonus vintage photograph showing a bronze medallion of Shaw, with typed notes from artist Theodore Spicer-Simson verso. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, a few extra wrinkles, and gentle toning. Isolated chipped edges as well as partially rusted paperclip or pin impressions. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition, which is overall very good to near fine. The average size of the correspondence is 8.5" x 11."

George Bernard Shaw, a Hearst Newspapers contributor, was asked to opine about the recent abdication of King Edward VIII. Shaw had plenty to say about the matter: he had just published a pro-Edward VIII playlet called "The King, the Constitution, and the Lady" in the "Evening Standard" on December 5, 1936, during the middle of the abdication crisis. In Shaw's political farce, a young king - clearly modeled after Edward VIII - wishes to marry a twice-divorced American named Daisy Bell. Shaw sees no scandal in this, and his playlet ultimately champions the love-struck king's cause. Shaw was largely sympathetic to King Edward's situation, and disapproved of the pressures, both state and ecclesiastical, that Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin and the Archbishop of Canterbury were exerting against King Edward.

Edward faced an incredibly difficult decision that pitted his personal life against his royal obligations: sacrifice American socialite Wallis Simpson, the woman he loved; or sacrifice the throne? The stance of sitting British leadership, canon law of the Church of England, and longstanding cultural traditions dictated that Edward could not marry Simpson and keep his crown; thus, a choice had to be made. Edward VIII signed the official Instrument of Abdication on December 10, 1936. The following day, on December 11, 1936, the "Act of Parliament: His Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act of 1936" was introduced and immediately passed.

The lot includes:

1. A 1p typed letter signed by Hearst Newspapers editor T.C. Watson, signed by him as "T.C. Watson" near center. December 16, 1936. [London, England.] On watermarked stationery complete with "Hearst Newspapers" letterhead. Shaw has added a signed manuscript note near the bottom as: "This is all I can do in / great haste. / GBS / 17-12-'36." Pencil-docketed "File" at upper left.

In part: "Dear Mr. Shaw, I wonder if you could find time to answer the following questionnaire?"

2. A 2pp partly typed questionnaire submitted by Watson to Shaw, with handwritten responses by Shaw. Shaw's autograph notes total approximately 326 words and include several contemporary cross-outs and edits.

The questionnaire reads in full, with original usage:

[Typed] "Having regard to the fact that he is an unrepentant celibate do you think the present Archbishop of Canterbury is fitted in any way either to judge or venture an opinion or even tender advice on the sort of a wife a King of England should marry?

[Shaw's autograph note] If there is any virtue in the Apostolic Succession the Archbishop of Canterbury is qualified to judge, to form opinions, and to tender advice on every subject in the heavens above, the earth beneath, and the waters under the earth. But he is officially bound by the injunction 'Whom God hath joined let not man put asunder'; and as the call of God to the Duke of Windsor and his future duchess seems to be unequivocal, the Archbishop cannot very well criticise the divine choice.

[Typed] Under the present monarchial system is a wife really necessary for a King of England to help him to carry out his duties?

[Shaw's autograph note] A wife is necessary to every man and a husband to every woman, no matter what their rank is. The representative social unit is a married couple. The Popes would have far more influence if they were married.

[Typed] Would you remove the official status of the Church of England and place Church of England worshippers on the same plane as the Roman Catholics, Jews, Nonconformists etc. and therefore remove the appointment of Archbishops and Bishops from the realm of the government of the day?

[Shaw's autograph note] Possibly it would be better to give them all a status if we could afford it. But in this connexion I am more concerned about the eastern religions, especially the Moslems and the profound Indian creeds, then with our Bible sects. The most pressing change is the elimination of superstition and sectarianism from the ceremonies and professions of faith and good intentions exacted from the Emperor of India on his coronation. It is a scandal that I in any English court of law can affirm instead of taking an oath whilst the unfortunate king-emperor is obliged to insult hundreds of millions of his subjects by professing to believe that they are accursed and damned.

[Typed] Was the Archbishop of Canterbury justified in making his attack on the late King's circle of friends after the King's abdication? Or should he have made it before the late King actually abdicated?

[Shaw's autograph note] The Archbishop may argue that it would have been unbecoming on his part, and even arguably unconstitutional, to criticize the Head of the Church and the Defender of the Faith. But he is under no such restriction as to a gentleman who no longer holds those dignities. He is therefore free to say that he objects to the Duke of Windsor's set as being rowdy. To which the Duke is free to reply that he objects to the Archbishop's set as being dull. That is all it comes to."

3. A 2pp carbon copy of Shaw's responses, typed, headlined "By George Bernard Shaw, © 1936 by Universal Service" at top. Shaw's responses have been reproduced faithfully, but inconsistencies of spelling and punctuation have been silently corrected.

4. A vintage photograph showing a bronze medallion of Shaw, with typed notes from French sculptor Theodore Spicer-Simson (1871-1959) verso recounting correspondence exchanged between the pair in January - May 1922. The black and white glossy print is wrinkled near the edges and curled. 5" x 7."

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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  • Dimensions: average size: 8.5" x 11"
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