Nov 20, 2014 - Sale 2367

Sale 2367 - Lot 58

Price Realized: $ 7,500
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 3,500 - $ 5,000
ON HIS ESCAPE FROM PRISON DURING THE BOER WAR CHURCHILL, WINSTON S. Autograph Letter Signed, to Ada Hacquoil ("Dear Madam"), denying that he received any assistance from [Rev. James] Godfrey in his escape [from the Boer prison that held him in 1899] and approving of Lord Robert's censure of Godfrey. 1 page, 8vo, with blank integral leaf; minor scattered soiling, horizontal folds; matted with four portraits on cigarette cards and framed. "105 Mount Street" [London], 30 November 1900
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"Mr. Godfrey, who was the Anglican clergyman in Pretoria, in no way assisted me to escape. On the contrary he adopted a violent anti-British attitude and in my opinion he thoroughly deserved Lord Robert's censure."
with--a letter, dated March 12, 1954, on "Prime Minister" stationery, from Churchill's personal secretary to Hacquoil stating that "Churchill is not in a position to advise you on the question you ask him."
In 1899, Churchill arrived in South Africa to begin reporting on the Boer war as a correspondent for the Morning Post; soon after arriving, he was captured by the Boers and imprisoned. After his legendary escape, he returned to the war as a correspondent and also as a soldier, participating in the capture of Pretoria. Churchill recorded his experiences in the book London to Ladysmith, 1900.
Ms. Hacquoil was a niece of Rev. Godfrey (b. 1861), who was acting-vicar of St. Alban's Cathedral in Pretoria.