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Auction: 21066 - Historical Documents, Postal History and Autographs
Lot: 104

Great Britain
The Collection of Mr. Horace Jack Crisp, Valet to King Edward VIII
Abdication Day 11th December 1936
"This is to certify that these are the last two signatures of King Edward VIII (as King) signed by him on the morning before he left England after he had signed the Abdication Paper, and told me to have them copyed in the lids of two cigarette boxes with the coat of arms of the Prince of Wales and that I should let Sir Walter Monkton & Mr A.G. Allen have them.
H.J. Crisp / Valet to HM at that time"

Two square pieces of paper in the handwriting of the King read:
"Walter Monkton /from / Edward RI / 11th Dec 1936" and
"A. G. Allen / from / Edward RI / 11th Dec. 1936"

The signature of King Edward VIII as King is rare.
These unique inscriptions, signed and dated in this manner, are true witnesses to history, as was Jack Crisp, present throughout the abdication crisis. His note giving both the background and provenance add immeasurably to their historical significance.

Walter Monckton and A.G. Allen were lawyers advising the King at this crucial time.
The silver cigarette box presented to Walter Monckton is referred to on page 296 of "The Windsor Story" by J. Bryan III and Charles J.V. Murphy, Granada Publishing Limited, London 1979.
"The Duke of Windsor, whose demands on Monckton's time and talents had been far heavier than his brother's, gave him nothing in recompense except a pair of cuff links - later stolen by a laundryman in India - and a silver cigarette box inscribed in a facsimile of his handwriting:
Walter Monkton (sic)
From
Edward R.I. 11th Dec. 1936"
A copy of the book is included.


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Sold for
£3,200

Starting price
£950