Description:

George Bernard Shaw
Hertfordshire, England, October 28, 1909
George Bernard Shaw ANS to New York Times "American presidents used to be lawyers and are now anarchists"
ANS

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950). Autograph note to the New York Times signed "G. Bernard Shaw." with a snarky quip about American presidents. 1p on Shaw's own stationery card, 3.5" x 5.5", Welwyn, Herfordshire, England, October 28, 1909. Light toning and ever-so-slight edge darkening, mailing stamps on recto and verso, else excellent condition and beautifully signed.

George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright and polemicist, critic, and political activist, most known for writing works such as Pygmalion, Major Barbara, The Doctor's Dilemma, and Caesar and Cleopatra. He received critical acclaim and popular success, being awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925. Shaw also became quite vocal in political matters, leaving a legacy of controversial and sometimes contradictory ideals.

In this note he writes to the New York Times attacking Charles William Eliot, then in his last year as president at Harvard University, as well as implying that then President Theodore Roosevelt is an anarchist. The note presented here in full:

"Is Dr. Eliot quite sure of his facts? It happens to be almost exactly 50 years since I began to "take notice" (as my nurse called it); and I have not observed any vital change, except that the American presidents used to be lawyers and are now anarchists.
G. Bernard Shaw."

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: 5.5" x 3.5"
  • Medium: ANS

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