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Auction: 17020 - Autographs, Historical Documents, Ephemera and Postal History
Lot: 946

Autographs
Edward, Prince of Wales and Mrs Freda Dudley Ward
1920 (4 January) from York Cottage, Sandringham. An eight sided autograph letter written in pencil by the Prince of Wales to his mistress Mrs Freda Dudley Ward, with the original envelope addressed in ink to her in Regent's Park. London postmarked at Sandringham, Norfolk, sealed on the reverse with a black wax seal incorporating a spider, as used on the correspondence from the Prince to her.


Signed "David" at the conclusion, written atop page one.



Another highly emotional and personal letter to "My vewy vewy own precious darling, beloved little Fredie". The Prince had clearly committed a verbal indiscretion and chastises himself over four pages, referring to himself as "... your foul silly little boy ..." and "... I have to crave your sweet forgiveness darling and be the pathetic little boy again … I am a hopelessly weak little fool and I curse myself for everything as I've really been foul to you lately (or anyway what I consider foul) by coming to you day after day in such a hopelessly depressed and sloppy mood. Still you are so divine to me and understand me so completely…".



He continues on more serious matters, "... I didn't shoot too badly and got 8 woodcock … and I think H.M. is favourably impressed as he's rather inclined to judge people by their powers of shooting tho of course that is silly." A reference to his father, King George V.



A highly significant letter giving great insight into the character of the Prince of Wales at the time and the demons he fought concerning his position within the Royal Family, the constrictions placed upon him and his emotional state of mind. Photo


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Estimate
£800 to £1,000