Lot 400
Chamberlain, Neville (1869-1940) Prime minister of Great Britain (1937-1949), best known for his appeasement policy toward Nazi Germany; he signed the Munich Accord with Hitler on Sept. 29, 1938, which conceded the Sudetenland area of Czechoslovakia. Historic Autograph Note Signed "Neville," one page, 6¼ x 5 in., Oct. 2, 1938. Written to powerful newspaper baron Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook (1879-1964) three days after Chamberlain had traveled to Munich and signed the agreement with Hitler which was supposed to bring "peace in our time." Chamberlain writes, "My dear Max, Your note gave me great pleasure. Thank you. Yours ever Neville." The note paper, which is engraved "Chequers / Butler's Cross Aylesbury / Bucks," has a couple of small holes in blank areas and is backed by a white sheet of paper.
According to A.J.P. Taylor's biography of Lord Beaverbrook, Beaverbrook had written Chamberlain on September 28, saying "My dear Neville, My faith is very great, but not so immense as my joy and delight over your reward…." (p. 385)
On September 30, the headline of Beaverbrook's The Daily Express read, "Britain will not be involved in a European war this year, or next year either." On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland and on September 3, Britain declared war on Germany.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 10,000.
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