Edward & Wallis, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor
Collection of cards, letters and volumes

A unique collection of cards, letters and books related to Edward and Wallis, from the collection of J. Bernard Rickatson-Hatt, including: a typed account of proceedings in the divorce between Wallis and Ernest Simpson, mentioning Wallis taking the oath in the witness box and answering the questions asked by her lawyer Mr. Norman Birkett, whose aim was to base the case on adultery committed by Ernest Simpson (though it was widely understood to be a arranged scenario to allow the marriage to the King), eleven pages, Ipswich, 27 October 1936; a 1937 Christmas card for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, featuring a silver-embossed W&E cipher and a detailed, engraved portrait of the couple; a typed letter signed (“Edward”) thanking Bernard “for the clippings from the London and Provincial newspapers relating to the Embassy dinner party in Paris” and adding “It was indeed well reported with both dignity and tact, and I am pleased to know that your friends cooperated so willingly. I am also glad that America cabled full reports and that it has reached the Dominions and Colonies”, one page, Hotel du cap d ’Antibes, 7 June 1938; typed transcripts of letters between Edward and Bernard, including one marked ‘Very confidential’ in which Edward asks that “any renewal of newspaper interest in us or the consequent attention of reporters, should be met with good publicity”, Chateau de la Maye, Versailles, 18 May 1938, and a transcript of letter to Bernard from Ernest Simpson; a second typed letter signed (“Edward”)to Bernard, reading “When I saw you in London in September I told you that I would let you know any time that the Duchess and myself had any special news relating to our war activities which might be of public interest and worth publishing. I am therefore writing to inform you that the Duchess was invited last month to join the Section Sanitaire Automobile de la Croix Rouge, and that, as a member of that organisation she has recently spent two days in the forward areas of the French Army, visiting hospitals and attending to other duties undertaken by the S.S.A.”, two pages, 24 Boulevard Suchet, 23 December 1939; a card on monogrammed stationery, signed “Wallis Windsor” and “Edward” and reading “We are thinking of you this Christmas and send our best wishes for the New Year 1940”; photographs and papers related to Bernard Rickatson-Hatt; a copy of the Duke of Windsor’s biography A King’s Story’, first edition, with handwritten inscription “To Bernard, wish best wishes from Edward, May 1951” attached to verso of front free endpaper, dust-jacket, handling wear and tape residue to spine, 4to, 1951; a copy of the Duchess’s biography The Heart Has Its Reasons, first edition, signed and inscribed to half-title “To Bernard, with my love, Wallis”, dust-jacket, some handling wear, 4to, 1956; and other volumes related to Edward and Wallis Windsor, v.s. (qty)

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Dimensions: v.s.

John Bernard Rickatson-Hatt, then by descent.

***Rickatson-Hatt served in the Army (1915 - 1925) before joining Reuters. He was Reuters' Chief Correspondent in the United States (1926 - 1931) and Editor-in-Chief (1931 - 1941) after which he moved to the Bank of England as an Adviser to the Governors. He was a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, as well as of Ernest Simpson.