Simpson, Wallis

"WE do remember last March 12th[.] I hope these will never be the 'missing links'.", 1 page, 8vo, headed stationery of the Prince of Wales (the first "E" in the note formed from the letterhead cipher) at St James's Palace, London, integral autograph address panel ("H.R.H. The Prince of Wales"), [?12 March 1935], mounted, framed and glazed, original folds 

Property from the Collections of The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Sotheby's, New York, 19 February 1998, lot 474

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."

A RARE SURVIVING EARLY NOTE FROM WALLIS SIMPSON TO THE PRINCE OF WALES. When the note was sold in the 1998 Windsor sale it was accompanied with a dried gardenia, but this has since crumbled to dust. The note dates from 1935, after the two had begun referring to themselves as "WE" (taking the initial letters of their names) in their correspondence. However the significant date of "last March 12th" surely refers to 12 March 1934, which fell during the period when the love affair between the two was first ignited. The Prince's mistress, and Wallis's friend, Lady Furness had left for the US on 25 January 1934. In her memoir Furness recalls asking Wallis to "look after" the Prince during her absence; when she returned on 22 March, she soon discovered that "she had looked after him exceedingly well" (Bloch, Wallis & Edward: Letters 1931-37 (1986), pp.84 and 91). This note was probably written on the anniversary of the date being commemorated, when Wallis Simpson was certainly staying at St James's Palace (she wrote another letter on St James's Palace stationery on 13 March 1935).