Fine Autograph Letter Signed “Winston S. Churchill”, London

Handwritten by Churchill on February 17, 1937.
A warm, caring, 2 page letter of condolence from Winston Churchill to Pauline Spender-Clay upon the passing of her husband Herbert (Bertie).

Captain Herbert Henry Spender-Clay (June 4, 1875- February 15, 1937) was an English soldier and politician. From 1910-1937 he was in the House of Commons. Pauline Spender-Clay (nee Astor) and Herbert Spender-Clay were married on October 29, 1904.

The handwritten letter in full:

My dear Pauline,

It was with deep sorrow that I read on arriving in Paris that Bertie was no more. I venture to send you these few lines of heartfelt sympathy in the measureless loss which has befallen you’ It is more than 45 years since we were Sandhurst cadets together, & my memories are vivid& numerous of our riding & paper chases and even steeple chases. With one or two others now gone we made a small group who used to visit Brighton at week ends & play endless vingt-et-un for shillings. How it all comes back! & our life is over— we are all in the evening & moving on. It must be some comfort to you in your grief to read the tributes paid on every side to Bertie’s position & work in the House of Commons. How well deserved they are I know well from my own experience. Please accept my sympathy & I pray you may find strength to bear the years to come.

Yours (?)

Winston S. Churchill

Pauline Astor was born in New York on September 24, 1880 &  died in Guernsey May 5, 1972 at the age of 91. She was the daughter of William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor and Mary Astor (Paul), Viscountess Astor.

Item #295