Autograph Letter Signed ('H. Rayson Venables') to Viscount Montgomery of Alamein.

Four pages, 12mo. Good, on aged paper with one half-inch closed tear. Claims to be 'compiling an historic book [...] which has been left to the nation', and asks for his contribution. Provides a full-page list from the 'over 500 Autographs'. The collection 'could not be complete without' Montgomery's 'honoured name'. Asks for 'a few words (as many others have done) on the blank side so as to keep this for Gen Alexander & others who took part in your campaign'. Congratulates him on his 'brilliant Victory'. Nothing could better exemplify the tunnel-vision of the collector: at the time of writing Montgomery was in preparation for the Invasion of Sicily, an operation which would result in 29,000 casualties and 140,000 prisoners of war.