161. Joyce (William, fascist and wartime broadcaster in English from Nazi Germany, "Lord Haw-Haw", 1906-46) Autograph Letter signed "William" to Aubrey Lees, 3½pp. & envelope, 8vo, written at head "Joyce W." and stamped "WANDSWORTH" Prison, 22nd December 1945, written twelve days before he was hanged, and after his appeal against conviction had been rejected by the House of Lords, "Please forgive me for not having replied earlier... but I preferred to wait until I knew their Lor[dshi]ps' decision. Now I know it, and I say, with all my heart, that I count the highest honour to die for my ideals. The manner in which this decision was announced speaks for itself: and I am wondering whether I shall have the academic interest of reading the Lord Chancellor's 'reasons' before, on January 3rd, I go to join my fathers... . I must, however, express sincere admiration of Lord Porter [who made a dissenting speech at the appeal] who, in my opinion, was subjected, without success, to immense pressure . Now, my dear Aubrey, let me assure you that if, on your memorable visit to Wandsworth, you thought that I showed a degree of self-mastery, you would think that I had more of that necessary quality, were you to see me today. The fact that my enemies can kill my body only is an indication of their limitations: and it is my duty to die a better National-Socialist than I have lived. Death in itself, means nothing to me except that I am given another chance. As I need hardly tell you, my custodians are showing me every possible kindness and consideration. You need not think of me as being in uncongenial surroundings. On the contrary, the days are calm, and except for my one great grief, they are as free from care as those of my early boyhood when I romped about the rocks on the Atlantic coast of Ireland and sensed the Divine mystery which is nearer to me now than ever", folds, browned.
est. £1500 – £2000
Aubrey Lees was a colonial civil servant who eventually became Deputy-Governor of the Jaffa District in Palestine. In December 1938 he was sent home for anti-Semitic and pro-Arab activities. Once in Britian he became involved in right-wing politics including membership of the Nordic League and The Link organisations.