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Lot 353
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Herbert Henry Asquith Extensive Archive of Letters [360+] to Mrs. Hilda Harrison, 1915-1927
Herbert Henry Asquith Extensive Archive of Letters [360+] to Mrs. Hilda Harrison, 1915-1927
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Description:

Herbert Henry Asquith
England, ca. 1916-1928
Herbert Henry Asquith Extensive Archive of Letters [360+] to Mrs. Hilda Harrison, 1915-1927
Archive
A large archive of over 360 autograph letters signed by Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith. Together over 1,200 pages, most measuring 4.75" x 7.25", various places, dating from 1916 to 1928. Most are signed "H", "H.H.A.", or signed in Greek, addressed to Mrs. Hilda Harrison (salutations often "Darling" or in Greek). Written on various stationery, including "10 Downing Street", the House of Commons, and The Wharf. Included in the archive is a notebook containing over 100 pages of holograph notes and newspaper clippings on various literary and political subjects. There is also a small group of letters from Margot Asquith and Violet Bonham Carter to Mrs. Harrison. All with expected mail folds. A few dozen later-dated letters were torn in half and inexpertly repaired. A few with chipping or small tears at the edges. Light toning and soiling. Some with later markings or notes made in pencil, likely made while compiling "Asquith's Memories and Reflections" (1928). Boldly signed by Asquith. Please refer to the photographs for further condition information.

*We strongly recommend that interested parties view the collection in person by appointment at our offices.

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The massive archive covers a large and important part of Asquith's life, from his time as Prime Minister to his final years. He and Harrison write on a wide variety of topics including politics (e.g., his reasons for resigning as Prime Minister and recalling his meeting with President Woodrow Wilson), the First World War (e.g., his feelings of loss upon the deaths of his son Raymond and Harrison's husband), classical literature, music, visual arts, and family life. Asquith frequently provided Harrison with recommendations of books to encourage her study of Greek and discussion on Milton, Shakespeare, Goethe, Macaulay, Eugene O'Neill, Edith Wharton, Enid Bagnold, P.G. Wodehouse, and many more.

Highlights from the collection:

October 11, 1916 [following the death of Raymond Asquith]: "I have been a long time in answering your sweet letter. This has been a great blow to me & I am much shaken by it. There is, or ought to be, every kind of consolation, & I have numberless letters from all parts of the world…But I don't know that it all helps one very much…I slept Saturday & Sunday at the Wharf, which was fairly restful: but since then I have been plunged up to the neck in Cabinets & Committees & war affairs. To-day I braced myself up to propose the Vote of Credit in the house of Commons: a trying & difficult speech, especially the last part of it. Got on better than I expected, as everyone was very kind and sympathetic…"

December 10, 1916: "...When I fully realised what a position had been created, I saw that I could not go on without dishonour or impotence, or both; and nothing could have been worse for the country & the war. Curiously enough, almost exactly the same thing has been going on in France, where the same forces have been at work producing nearly, if not quite, the same result. You cannot imagine what a relief it is not to have the daily stream of boxes and telegrams; not to mention Cabinets and Committees and colleagues &c... The King offered me the Garter, but of course I refused. I am glad you are reading the Book of Job: I think I must refresh my memory of it..."

September 21, 1917 [following the death of Major Roland Harrisson]: "I have just heard from Lucy your terrible news. It must have happened while I was out there. Somehow in all the tragedies, actual or possible, of the war, this one had never extended into my imagination. That you, of all women, should be called on to face this cruel desolation of your life is to me all but unthinkable. Darling my heart bleeds for you, and I would to give more than I can tell to be able to put a healing finger on your brow…I shall be thinking of you constantly, and feeling for and with you, and longing (be sure of that) - if only I can - to help…"

October 27, 1917: " I take from your last letter that you are beginning to tire of your 'Library' life, & pining for the air of the country. Is it necessary that you should stay as long as you originally planned in such uncongenial surroundings?... Lucy is still pursuing her artistic education at the State School with undiminished vision. She dined here last night with the Glenconners & some others. Pamela sat next to me, but we carefully eschewed the evening close, and had a 'literary' conversation. She is a great Jane Austen-ite, and had just returned from a lecture on that immortal woman: so I was glad to be able to stump her out completely by asking her what was the Christian name of Mr. Darcy in 'Pride & Prejudice.' I wonder if you know? So far as I remember, there is only one clue to it in the whole book…"

April 27, 1920: " …you should know how much you have been & are, and…will be, to me. But for you I should have been tempted to almost desperate things. Slandered and back-bitten by unscrupulous enemies, and scolded and goaded by well-meaning and ill-judging friends, your sanity and unfailing understanding and incomparable sweetness, and perfect companionship, have been, and are my salvation. So you can understand how & why I cling to you, my best beloved..."

Margot Asquith ALS, postmarked January 31, 1928: "I think you sd come & stay the night so as to catch Henry when he is well enough to enjoy talking to you. He has short but very clear moments now, & is in some ways better. He was very bad I heard the last time you saw him…[PS] He & I speak of you often with love."

Margot Asquith ALS, "Mon. 13th" [February 13, 1928]: "Henry is dying & we have sent for the children. You must come any-time that suits. None of us will leave here. He knew me & kissed me last night. He is asleep. He has a very sore throat & the blood vessels are not feeding his lungs. He is too weak to get rid of the phlegm & congestion."

Herbert Henry Asquith (1852-1928) was elected as Prime Minister in 1908 and held the position until 1916. He was the last Liberal Party prime minister to command a majority government and played a role in passing numerous major Liberal welfare reforms. He saw Great Britain and the British Empire into the First World War in 1914, but soon gained widespread criticism for the failure of the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915. His eldest son, Raymond, was killed at the Somme in September 1916, and Asquith was forced to resign as PM at the end of that same year. For the remainder of the war he served as the Wartime Opposition Leader, but was never able to fully regain power in Parliament. Asquith suffered several strokes in his final years, the third one occurring at the end of 1927. He passed away at the age of 75 on February 15, 1928 - just two days after Margot Asquith's letter to Mrs. Harrisson seen above.

Margot Asquith (1864-1945) was a socialite and intellectual in addition to being the spouse of Britain's most influential statesman of the time. She was Asquith's second wife and the couple's high-profile social and political connections gave them unprecedented access to European celebrities.

Hilda Harrisson (1888-1972) was the wife of Major Roland Harrison and one of H. H. Asquith's close friends. Rumors that the two may have had an affair have never been proven, but Asquith did pay special attention to her and her daughter Anne Symonds (née Harrisson; 1916-2017). He became a regular presence in their household and supported Hilda financially, letting her stay over in London and Sutton Courtenay. Regardless of the nature of the relationship, the two remained close until his death, and Asquith left £2500 to her in his will. Anne would go on to become a popular English broadcaster for the BBC World Service, reporting on culture and politics.

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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