Autograph, Mohandas Karamchand GANDHI, on House of Commons n...

Estimate

£500 - £600

Autograph, Mohandas Karamchand GANDHI, on House of Commons notepaper, obtained in person in 1931 by Sheila Friend his driver and being sold on behalf of her son. Sheila Anderson ne Friend worked as a driver in London from 1927 to 1935 for an American Socialist, Kathleen Foot. She also drove prominent Labour Politicians including Ernest Bevin, Nye Bevan, Stafford Cripps, Michael Foot, George Lansbury. She drove other leading figures of the day such as authoress Vera Brittain and actor Jack Warner. In 1931 when Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi made an extensive speaking tour of England Sheila had the opportunity to drive him. She picked up Gandhi and his assistant Madeleine Slade (known as Mirabai, or Mira) and asked if she could obtain his autograph. Miss Slade suggested waiting until they reached the House of Commons, where Gandhi was to address Labour MPs and other supporters, and there he gave his autograph on a piece of House of Commons notepaper. Sheila Anderson's story has been covered in the Nottingham Evening Post. The autograph is sold with a photocopy of the Evening Post article and a hand written listing of Mrs. Anderson's notable passengers. The autograph is being sold by Mrs. Anderson's son