EDWARD VIII (1894-1972). King of Great Britain and Ireland. Abdicated in 1936.
Autograph Letter Signed ('David') in pencil to his mistress Freda Dudley Ward, 4 pages 8vo on separate leaves, with the original typewritten envelope, 9 June 1919. A letter of considerable historical interest, suggesting that his brother Albert (the future King George VI), was conducting an illicit affair with Sheila, Lady Loughborough.

'... I simply couldn't hit a ball at golf & Bertie beat my head off, f- him ... we motored on to Winchester reaching Lankhills at 5:30. After tea I managed to lure Loughie [Lord Lougborough] away on the pretext of wanting to play a few more holes of golf on the local course, so as to give Sheilie a chance of being alone with Bertie; they said they were tired & we left them ...'

A very long letter, printed with several passages omitted in Letters from a Prince, ed. by Rupert Godfrey, London, 1998, pages 149-150.

£2250 [No: 26201]