[Isobel Cripps [Lady Cripps], overseas aid organizer.] Two duplicated Second World War handbills, in the form of facsimiles of Autograph Letters Signed, regarding the British United Aid to China Fund.

Two scarce pieces of wartime ephemera. See her entry, and that of her husband, in the Oxford DNB. The former explains how, during the Second World War, Lady Cripps was president of the British United Aid to China Fund, and that in 1946 ‘she undertook an extensive and arduous tour of China’, being entertained by both Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong. The journey was ‘one of 30,000 miles which included travel by air, sea, road, rail, and truck. Most of the great cities of China were visited and to see co-operative work in rural areas the Gansu Desert was crossed by lorry. Her interest in China did not wane and she was to hold the chairmanship of the Sino-British Fellowship Trust for some years.’ Both items in good condition. Each folded twice for posting. Both are addressed to ‘Dear Sir’ and carry the facsimile signature ‘Isobel Cripps’. Each letter 2pp, 12mo. ONE (13 Regent Street): She thanks him for his ‘splendid response to our United Aid to China Fund. We all mean to work our hardest to make this gift from the British People to the Chinese People, something which will show them how alive we are in out feeling of comradeship & gratitude towards them, in our united struggle for freedom’. TWO (57 New Bond Street): Thanking the recipient for his ‘further tribute to China & support of the United Aid to China Fund. / It is a special help to have this continued support, because the need of China grows even greater as time passes & the messages which are coming back to us show a great appreciation of what the Fund is meaning to them as an expression of friendship & sympathy.’