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Auction: 20025 - Historical Documents, Postal History and Autographs
Lot: 647

Great Britain
Sir William Henry Birkbeck
c.1906 exhaustive manuscript and typescript by Birkbeck, the first page of which is titled "A Scheme for the Organisation of the British Army upon Japanese Lines" with two "Ruling Factors": reconciling "the number of men required" with "the sum of money annually available for their provision" and that "The strength of the army must depend upon the objective for which it is to be maintained". Continuing with the redefinition of the Army's purpose as set out in 1888, suggesting instead "The effective support of the civil power throughout the Empire". Document complete with a suggested breakdown of spending on each section of the military. Sold together with 1906 (29 April) ALS from Baden-Powell congratulating Birkbeck on his proposal and providing suggestions of his own. A fascinating group of document envisaging the reworking of the army, much inspired by the strength of the Japanese at the time.

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Estimate
£1,000 to £1,200

Starting price
£900