BALDWIN STANLEY: (1867-1947) British Prime Minister 1923-24, 1924-29 and 1935-37. A.L.S., Stanley Baldwin, one page ...

BALDWIN STANLEY: (1867-1947) British Prime Minister 1923-24, 1924-29 and 1935-37. A.L.S., Stanley Baldwin, one page, 8vo, Astley Hall, Stourport, 6th January 1937, to 'My dear Maiullier'. Baldwin writes, in full, 'That is as pretty a little book as I have seen for many a day and as pretty a note inside! I thank you'. Together with Lucy Baldwin (1869-1945) English Writer, wife of Stanley Baldwin. An interesting A.L.S., Lucy Baldwin, two pages, 8vo, Chequers, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, 9th June 1923, to Mr. Holiday. Baldwin states that she has given her husband her correspondent's message and that he was touched by the thought, adding 'He assures me that he doesn't smoke too much & I don't really think that he does for if ever he feels that he has had a pipe or two extra he knocks off & can restrict himself to a certain number for a day…..He never smokes before breakfast. But very often if he has a big speech to prepare he smokes before & after it as a relief to nerves. It is the photographers who always demand the pipe! I don't think that I have ever seen him write with a pipe in his mouth, but it is a great help I am told to thinking especially when people have a tale to unfold & he can think whilst smoking & so not betray his thoughts. You see a man who is clean shaved is at a disadvantage & having no moustache cannot conceal the play of the lips. A pipe helps this…..' VG, 2