MACDONALD JAMES RAMSAY: (1866-1937)

MACDONALD JAMES RAMSAY: (1866-1937) British Prime Minister 1924, 1929-35. An excellent T.L.S., J. Ramsay MacDonald, two pages, 4to, The Hillocks, Lossiemouth (although on the printed stationery of the Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, Whitehall), 30th December 1931, to Ernest J. Titler of the Shaftesbury Advertising Agency Ltd., marked Private & Confidential. MacDonald states ´The paragraphs that have been appearing in the newspapers, especially in the "Daily Herald", that I am trying to go back to the Labour Party, and have appointed emissaries to make soundings, are rather embarrassing and untrue. They have been repeated, however, in a tone which indicates that the writers have got something in their minds´, and continues ´If I were clear of my immediate burdens I should show them that in spite of their excommunications I am a member of the Labour movement, and would defy them and all their caucuses to turn me out of it. But what I should do would be to try to get the movement back to its proper position, and rescue it from being a glorified board of guardians´, before concluding ´The Labour Party has been misled, and is being kept misinformed by two of the most disreputable papers now published, the Herald and Reynolds. That is what I want to rectify in the interests of the whole movement´. Accompanied by the original envelope. A letter of fine political content. Together with a second, earlier T.L.S., J. Ramsay MacDonald, one page, 4to, 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, 11th March 1931, also to Ernest J. Titler, on the printed stationery of the Prime Minister. MacDonald states that he has received the programme for Titler´s concert, and wishes that he could attend, however explaining ´....the House of Commons will be sitting that evening and Government business taken, and no doubt there will be Divisions. I am afraid it would be impossible for me to leave the ship in those circumstances.....´. Also including Ishbel MacDonald (1903-1982) eldest daughter of Ramsay MacDonald and the hostess of 10 Downing Street during her father´s time in office. A.L.S., Ishbel, one page, 4to, Upper Frognal Lodge, Hampstead, London, 17th November 1937, to Ernest [Titler], on black bordered mourning stationery. Writing shortly after the death of her father, MacDonald thanks her correspondent for their kind letter and messages of sympathy and continues ´If you and your mother or father would like to go to the Abbey get in touch with Alister [her brother] .....or just chance it. The Abbey will be open to the public´, accompanied by a second A.L.S.. Ishbel, two pages, 4to, Upper Frognal Lodge, Hampstead, London, 19th November 1937, also to Titler and on black bordered mourning stationery, stating that she had written her previous letter too soon and explaining ´Since making our first list we have been told that it is too long, and we have had to cut it right down to little more than relatives. The National Labour executive is being asked with official people, and everyone else has to take their chance. The greater part of the Abbey will be unreserved seats, so you are not cut out, but you will see that it is not possible for us to reserve seats......I am terribly sorry.....Do forgive me´. Accompanied by the original envelope. Further including an interesting, small group of printed ephemera and letters (2) relating to Ramsay MacDonald and his family, including T.Ls.S. by MacDonald´s private secretary Rose Rosenberg, and Parliamentary Private Secretary Frank Markham, two official unsigned 10 Downing Street Christmas greetings cards from Ramsay MacDonald, 1933/34 and 1934/35, a printed National Labour Committee menu for a luncheon to meet Ramsay MacDonald, Stanley Baldwin and John Simon at the Trocadero Restaurant in London on 6th November 1933, two pieces relating to the marriage of Joan Margaret MacDonald with a reception at Chequers, 20th September 1932, etc. Some light age wear and minor faults, G to generally VG, 13