"THE BEST EXPERIENCES ... MEETING THE MEN WHO FIRST WALKED ON THE MOON AND ... THE NIGHT THE QUEEN AND PRINCE PHILIP CAME TO DINNER"
WILSON
(Mary, Baroness, 1916-2018, Poetess, wife of Harold, Labour Prime Minister)
Unsigned Typescript of an article that Baroness Wilson wrote for the Guardian
she starts that "It's a job completely different from that of a Member of Parliament, who has sought to be a Member ... instead of having the position thrust upon her. Many people seem to think that the Prime Minister's wife had a position of authority, whereas she is a private person, with no real power; that is one reason why, although i travelled all over the country talking to women's groups in the Labour Party, I never made a political speech ... A Prime Minister's wife is expected to be there on public occasions, to be unobtrusive at times of crisis, to be as wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove; and, to mix the metaphor, I always tried to be the wise owl in the oak - 'the more she heard, the less she spoke' ... in spite of this, I seem to have acquired a reputation for plain speaking ...", she continues for some time in general terms and then talks about her foreign visits "I've seen Moscow under snow, the river frozen and silent, the birch trees heavy and still, the Red Army goose-stepping at Moscow, their curved swords slicing the air and I particularly remember the exquisite grace of the dedicated young dancers at the Bolshoi Ballet School. I remember Washington in the spring, cherry blossom by the Potomac. An I visited President Kennedy's grave at Arlington ... I remember steel bands in Jamaica ..." and she continues relating her travels and then goes on to talk about General Election campaigns "Thank goodness they don't last long in Britain; American campaigning must be gruelling. I think the constant travelling is the worst part. I'm a bad traveller ... rushing over winding roads at night, with a police escort, and always hurrying and late. Stepping out of the car - I usually went first to avoid being swallowed up in the surging crowds - into blinding television lights, to boos and Arthur Smith, my husband's agent, with his cheerful smile and involved Liverpudlian jokes ...", finally she says that "The manner in which the Prime Minister leaves No. 10 is barborous. I'm sure no other country does it like this; the exposed front door like a public stage, the crowd in the street, one Prime Minister out, another in, within two hours, to a chorus of boos, cheers, gloating. Furniture hustled out of the back gate, it's like having the bailiffs in. The press waited for four days to see Mr Heath's piano go out, photographers climbed into Mr Callaghan's furniture van when he became Chancellor. The whole affair seems so undignified. The best experiences of all? Meeting the men who first walked on the the moon' and, of course, the night the Queen and Prince Philip came to dinner ...", 7 sides A4 together with 2 letters from Suzanne LOWRY (Guardian Journalist and Women's Editor) talking about her writing an article for them, 1 side A4 and 1 side 4to., 5th and 11th April
Item Date:
1976
Stock No:
40465
£375
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WILSON
(Woodrow, 1856-1924, 28th President of the United States)
Typed Letter Signed to Kark K. Kitchen in New York
saying that he "could not find time to dictate an article if my life depended upon it, but I am none the less obliged to you for your thought of me ...", 1 side 4to., State of New Jersey Executive Department headed paper, 28th April
Item Date:
1911
Stock No:
39179
£275
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WILSON
(Sir James Harold, 1916-1995, Labour Prime Minister 1964-1970 and 1974-1976)
Fine large Portrait Photograph, signed, inscribed and dated,
showing him seated half length at his desk, full face, with a thoughtful but pleasant look, hands together holding his pipe, 12" x 8½" in window mount 15" x 11", together with a typed Letter Signed to Mrs. Maureen P. Callaghan, saying he was "very pleased and honoured to receive" her request (for a photograph to go in the new 'Whitehall' Conference Room at her hotel), 1 side 4to., no place, 21st June
Item Date:
1983
Stock No:
66237
£175
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WINDHAM
(William, 1750-1810, M.P. and Secretary-at-War)
Autograph Letter in the third person to Mr Eden,
agreeing "to the indulgence which Mr. Eden was so good as to promise him when they met at Dr. Loughborough's, he will take the liberty of waiting upon him at twelve to-morrow", 1 side 4to., Queen Anne Street, Thursday 22nd, no place, n.y., c.
Item Date:
1790
Stock No:
13524
£40
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[WINDSOR-CLIVE
(Ivor, 2nd Earl of Plymouth, 1889-1943, Conservative MP) and Karl SELTER (1898-1958, Estonian Politician and Minister for Foreign Affairs)]
Unsigned Photo
showing him arriving at an airfield in Tallin and being met by the Estonian Minister of the Economy, 7" x 5", Tallin, 4th June
Item Date:
1935
Stock No:
40668
£50
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