A series of letters to Sir Frederick Milner (one to 'Miss Milner'), comprising: 8 Autograph Letters signed & 4 Typed Letters signed.

Bookseller Notes

Arthur John Bigge, Baron Stamfordham, was Private Secretary to King George V from the first year of his reign until Stamfordham's death on 1931; he had earlier performed the same role for Queen Victoria in the latter years of her reign. Stamfordham's influence on King George was great during years of unrest and upheaval that are reflected in part in this series of letters to Sir Frederick Milner, a former Tory MP. The letters begin in the first weeks of the Great War and conclude with a message to one of Milner's daughters conveying that the King and Queen are 'touched by [her] kind words of sympathy' regarding the death of their youngest child, Prince John, aged thirteen, whose severe epilepsy had kept him out of the public eye and caused 'an afflicted life' from which, Stamfordham reflects, death at least provided 'a release'. The letters are friendly and familiar, addressed to 'My dear Milner' throughout thanking the recipient for gifts to the King (woodcock and venison), and offering the latter's advice regarding the participation of Milner's son in the conflict, as well as relaying Bigge's own news regarding his son, John. The latter's death at the Front in 1915 is not referred to, but does explain a short break in communication. Milner's two principal philanthropic causes during wartime elicit differing responses from his contemporary: he is in absolute support, and in agreement with the King, on the need for giving continuous support to men disabled in military service; he is similarly grateful for Milner's tireless visits to hospitals, but sounds a note of caution regarding the gifts to wounded soldiers that Milner is distributing which are being represented as the King's gifts when they are 'your gift', placing the monarch in a 'false position' and exposing him to 'unfavourable criticism'. '[T]here are days', Stamfordham considers, 'when the most generous are compelled to curtail their gifts to charities'.The letters offer interesting glimpses of the Palace's point of view on the Great War: in October 1914, Stamfordham states that 'the fall of Antwerp is unfortunate', and in August the following year bemoans both 'the news from the Dardanelles' and unrest at home 'we live in anxious days & what does make one low is that should be strikes and labour troubles when all thoughts should be directed to only one object [i.e.] the defeat of our enemies'. In the same breath thanking Milner for a haunch of venison and for his report on the poor diet of troops at Gallipoli offers a slightly regrettable contrast between the circumstances of the royal household and their troops, as indeed does his reference to 'excellent sport' [i.e., shooting] at Sandringham in a letter that goes on report the deficiency in arms and equipment being endured at the Front.