- 425
King Edward VIII.
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- King Edward VIII.
- Blotting paper used to blot the royal signatures on the Instrument of Abdication
- ink on paper
with the reversed signatures of the King ("Edward RI") and his three brothers the Duke of York and future King George VI ("Albert"), the Duke of Gloucester ("Henry"), and the Duke of Kent ("George"), one folding sheet of pink blotting paper (303 x 454mm), 10 December 1936
"...By breakfast the next morning the official copies of the Instrument of Abdication and the companion Royal Message, locked up in my familiar red despatch box, were already on my desk. My three brothers arrived at the Fort about ten o'clock ... we assembled immediately in the octagonal drawing-room. And as if in harmony with the lifting of the almost intolerable pressure of the last few weeks, the fog which for some days had added to the gloom had also lifted.
Sitting at the desk, with my three brothers watching, I began to sign the documents. There were seven copies of one, and eight of the other - just why there should be this discrepancy I never knew ... It was all quite informal. The room was filled with a dignified dull murmur. When I had signed the last document I yielded the chair to my brothers, who in turn appended their signatures as witnesses in their order of precedence...Like a swimmer surfacing from a great depth, I left the room and stepped outside, inhaling the fresh morning air..." (A King's Story, p.407)
An unusual relic of the signing of the document that shook the British monarchy became the defining moment in the life of Edward VIII. The former King kept this blotting paper as a memento of the occasion, and shortly afterwards presented it to a leading foreign diplomat.
"...By breakfast the next morning the official copies of the Instrument of Abdication and the companion Royal Message, locked up in my familiar red despatch box, were already on my desk. My three brothers arrived at the Fort about ten o'clock ... we assembled immediately in the octagonal drawing-room. And as if in harmony with the lifting of the almost intolerable pressure of the last few weeks, the fog which for some days had added to the gloom had also lifted.
Sitting at the desk, with my three brothers watching, I began to sign the documents. There were seven copies of one, and eight of the other - just why there should be this discrepancy I never knew ... It was all quite informal. The room was filled with a dignified dull murmur. When I had signed the last document I yielded the chair to my brothers, who in turn appended their signatures as witnesses in their order of precedence...Like a swimmer surfacing from a great depth, I left the room and stepped outside, inhaling the fresh morning air..." (A King's Story, p.407)
An unusual relic of the signing of the document that shook the British monarchy became the defining moment in the life of Edward VIII. The former King kept this blotting paper as a memento of the occasion, and shortly afterwards presented it to a leading foreign diplomat.
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."