Highly unusual and amusing unsigned letter in Shaw’s hand, at the conclusion of a two-page letter written to him by Ronald Ashton dated May 16, 1933. The history of the letter begins with a vintage newspaper clipping which accompanies the lot. In part: “A friend tells me that Bernard Shaw recently executed his will, and … when published … it will be as interesting and revealing as is nearly everything that comes from his pen…. I am told … that Mr. Shaw has bequeathed his head…. Shaw’s brain is so remarkable that scientific men are anxious to study its structure.” The clipping evidently “inspired” one Ronald Ashton to write to Shaw with a rather unusual proposal. This ALS by Ashton reads, in part: “If the enclosed newspaper cutting is serious I shall be glad to pay you £5000 cash for your head for use for scientific purposes. While I am not a scientist I am sufficiently interested to have endured two chairs in the last 15 years. And I am prepared to give £5000 if the cause of science can be furthered by an examination of your skull & hair on the lines suggested. I have inherited a large fortune made out of the cotton industry & child labour, & am anxious to dispose of it in my lifetime as I feel an unhappy possessor. I may say that I was the guest of Professor Einstein at Christ Church College, Oxford, twelve months ago. Will you kindly let me know if my offer is agreeable to you so that in the event of acceptance details can be arranged.” Shaw pens his response below: “Sorry that I cannot conveniently do without my head just at present, and that when I have finished with it it will be at the disposal of the Royal College of Surgeons. I could not very well revoke this bequest in favor of a private individual without knowing what, exactly he proposes to do with it.” Accompanied by a letter from Shaw’s secretary to a Dr. Pailthorpe, forwarding the letter and suggesting that “you may be able to think of some way of touching the gentleman for a portion of his fortune,” as well as a 1972 letter from the Royal College of Surgeons to collector Jerry Granat, stating that they never actually received Shaw’s head. Tape to reverse of Shaw letter (invisible from front) and light toning from previous framing, otherwise fine. Unique, to say the least! R&R COA. From the Jerry Granat collection.
