Typed letter signed : Plymouth, to Sean O'Casey, 1944 March 2.

Record ID: 
401227
Accession number: 
MA 4210.10
Author: 
Astor, Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, Viscountess, 1879-1964.
Date: 
1944 March 2.
Credit: 
Purchased, 1983.
Description: 
1 item (2 pages) ; 20.5 x 12.8 cm
Notes: 

On stationery embossed in red with "The Lady Mayoress" in the upper left corner and "3, Elliot Terrace, / The Hoe, / Plymouth" in the upper right corner. "Lady Astor" is written under "The Lord Mayoress" in an unknown hand.

Summary: 

Discussing his pro-Stalin position, family matters, and George Bernard Shaw's inheritance from his wife; saying "May I say you are not a real Irishman, as I am not a real Virginian, or we would never have left our native lands! Virginian [sic?] knows enough about Ireland to make her turn from it with a shudder! You've never been and never will be a slave"; adding "If you are now pro-Stalin you will certainly have to change your gait, for nobody has advanced more than he has in the last ten years. I am very pro-Sean O'Casey and really do long to see you. I wish I could have you at St. James's Square for a fortnight or a month to get your play ready, but alas, we occupy one room in the basement"; commenting on her quiet time in Cornwall; adding "G.B.S. has just written to tell me that General Montgomery's A.D.C. arrived in a car to fix up a meeting for him on Saturday afternoon at John's studio - but that doesn't excite him. What is really driving him crazy is not getting any of Charlotte's money. You never saw a Communist behave so badly about being taxed; I've no doubt you would behave just as badly if you were in his shoes!;" including an autograph postscript.

Provenance: 
Purchased on the Acquisitions Fund in honor of Mrs. Vincent Astor, February 1983.