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Auction: 26066 - Historical Documents, Autographs and Ephemera
Lot: 1222

Great Britain
Military
Montgomery of Alamein (1887-1976)
1948-1971 Correspondence from Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery to Major Thomas Howarth M.C. (1914-1988), as Headmaster of King Edward's School, Birmingham (1948-1952), Second Master of Winchester College (1952-1962) and St. Paul's School, London, comprising 104 autograph letters, 8 typed letters, 4 christmas greetings and a typed copy of the Wellington Memorial Lecture (1969), all signed "Montgomery of Alamein".
The letters addressed "My dear Tom" are written from London, Islington Mill, / Alton, Chateau de Courance, Seine-et-Oise, the Ministry of Defence and the Trianon Palace Hotel.
The content covers a wide range of affairs, including his scheduled visits to the schools and talks to the boys, his Royal Warwickshire regiment, European affairs "some chilly winds are blowing round the nations of the West at present" (July 1950) following the Conference at Fonteinbleau, "sending a large map of the world for my talk to the school" (October 1950), personnel issues, asking advice on lectures for his USA trip (1953), a visit by the boys to Islington Mill "to discuss WWII, see my house and caravans and have a good tea" (July 1955), an invitation to join him in the Royal Box at the Royal Tournament (March 1963), "Re the Royal Tournament on Saturday July 31 (1965). I shall motor up to London in the local taxi. But this is not suitable for my arrival in full Mess kit at the Tournament! So I hire a large chauffeur-driven Daimler limousine and transfer to that at some suitable place", a 1966 British postal order for 6d signed by MofA for a bet between them, House of Lords debates re defence, general school governance issues are covered, an autograph list of "Books written by me" signed (12 April 1967), a reference to his "History of Warfare" that "will be a best seller" (Sept 1968), with a number of copy letters from Howarth to Montgomery, 25 postally used envelopes, a typed letter from FM Viscount Slim to Howarth (1951) about a missed visit to his school and two magazines (1968, 1976) featuring Montgomery.
A unique archive reflecting his interest in education and his friendship with Major Howarth, worthy of closer study.

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Estimate
£3,000 to £3,200

Starting price
£2400