Scarce collection of seven TLSs from British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to BBC personality Jimmy Savile, which also includes a TLS to Savile from Thatcher’s successor, Tony Blair. The Thatcher letters, each signed “Yours sincerely, Margaret Thatcher” and “Yours ever, Margaret Thatcher,” also feature handwritten salutations and valedictions from the ‘Iron Lady.’ The letters, each one page, typed on 10 Downing Street letterhead ranging in size from 6 x 8.25 to 8 x 11.75, and dated between December 20, 1979 (seven months into her premiership) and July 19, 1983, contain messages of thanks and congratulations on Savile’s sundry charitable endeavors. Highlighted passages include:
December 20, 1979: “You appear to have had an enormous success with your run/walk/stagger/limp and I know just how much preparation and effort you put into this excellent cause. May I please take you up on your offer of contributing something to a Charity of my choice. For many years I have been associated with the NSPCC and I am certain that they would be grateful for any help that you can give them.”
February 6, 1980: “You were absolutely splendid this morning and I am so very grateful to you for making this donation to the NSPCC possible.”
April 14, 1980: “Geoffrey Howe announced in the Budget two significant changes in the way the covenant system works, which I am sure will encourage more people to use it. The first is that the period for which covenants to charity must be capable of running is being reduced from seven years to four, so that people will no longer have to commit themselves to such a long time. The second is that from next year we shall allow tax relief on covenant payments to run at the higher personal income tax rate and not just at the basic rate as at present.”
June 5, 1980: “Caroline tells me that you have been absolutely marvellous about finding some ‘entertainers’ to help with my childrens party on Saturday. As you have gone to so much effort it will almost certainly not rain, but it will be a great comfort to me to know that there is some sort of back-up. I will naturally thank the people who come most profusely, but I just wanted you to know how extremely grateful I am to you for taking so much trouble.”
October 27, 1981: “I am delighted to hear that The Duke of Edinburgh is going to lay the Foundation Stone on 24 November and I was heartened about the £300,000 from the Townswomens Guild. Very many congratulations on being awarded the title Knight Commander of St. Gregory by the Holy See. This is richly deserved. I hope you enjoyed the ceremony on Friday at the Apostolic Delegation.”
July 22, 1982: “The news on the Stoke Mandeville Appeal is quite excellent. What an achievement.”
July 19, 1983: “I was delighted to hear of your Opening on 3 August and I understand that Norman Fowler has accepted your invitation to attend.”
The Blair letter, signed “Best wishes, yours sincerely, Tony Blair,” one page, 8.25 x 11.75, 10 Downing Street letterhead, May 19, 1997, roughly two weeks after the start of Blair’s premiership, in part: “I am very grateful to you for having taken the trouble to send me such a kind message. Your congratulations and good wishes are very much appreciated. There is a huge amount to do but, with your support, much that can be achieved. You also raised the possibility of a visit. As I am sure you can imagine, I am still at the stage of planning my engagements and it is difficult to make any commitments at this stage. However, I will certainly bear your kind invitation in mind.” Blair adds the salutation and valediction in his own hand. In overall fine condition, with a stain to one letter, and some edge creasing to several others.
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