[WWI] Neville Chamberlain TLS and Sir Basil Zaharoff Signed Card

A pair of items - including a Neville Chamberlain and a Basil Zaharoff signed card. The letter, 1p, measuring 8" x 8", London, dated July 15, 1930, is signed "N. Chamberlain" and addressed to B.A. Campbell. Chamberlain declines a Sunday invitation due to "some very responsible and arduous duties in connection with the organisation (sic) of the Conservative Party." The small card, measuring 4.25" x 3.5", No place, undated, is signed "Truly yours, Basil Zaharoff." With biographical information written on verso in another hand. The letter has flattened folds and is boldly signed. The card has light toning throughout and is boldly signed. Both have mounting residue on verso, causing some staining to the front of the typed letter.

Arthur Neville Chamberlain (1869-1940) was a British politician of the Conservative Party and served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from May 1937 to May 1940. He entered politics in 1911 and was made Director of National Service during the First World War by Prime Minister David Lloyd George. In this position, Chamberlain was responsible for co-ordinating conscription and ensuring that essential war industries were properly staffed to maintain an effective business.

Sir Basil Zaharoff (1849-1936) was a Greek arms dealer, industrialist, and part-time con man. While one of the richest men in the world, Zaharoff's success was built from aggressive and questionable business tactics. He frequently would sell weapons to opposing sides in a conflict and would sometimes deliver fake or faulty machinery. During WWI, he had close ties to David Lloyd George and worked to ensure that Greece joined the Allied side. He also worked for Vickers, a munitions firm, which produced 3 cruisers, 53 submarines, 3 auxiliary vessels, 62 light vessels, 2,328 cannons, 8,000,000 tonnes of steel ordnance, 90,000 mines, 22,000 torpedoes, 5,500 airplanes, and 100,000 machine guns for the war effort. At the end of the war, it's estimated that Zaharoff had laid out £50 million for the Allied cause.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!