Christmas cards received from various individuals. by THATCHER, Margaret - 1984-98

1984-98. From Margaret Thatcher's estate Together 15 Christmas cards. Housed in a dark blue flat-back cloth box by the Chelsea Bindery. In very good condition. A collection of Christmas cards sent to Margaret Thatcher, from various individuals and institutions. i) John Stapylton Habgood, Archbishop of York (1983-95), 1985. With a reproduction of a portrait of himself on the front cover, and the printed message on the interior "With all good wishes for Christmas and the New Year from The Archbishop of York and Mrs. Habgood". Thatcher had passed over Habgood as a candidate for the Bishop of London in 1981 for his known left wing views; in 1984, Habgood would write in The Times supporting the National Union of Mineworkers in the Coal Strike. ii) Nigel Lawson, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1983-89), no date but whilst he was Chancellor. With a reproduction of the Ambrogio Lorenzetti Renaissance painting "Good Government in the City" on the front cover, and the royal arms stamped in gilt on the interior with the printed message "With Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year", signed by Nigel Lawson "from Nigel & [wife Thérèse's signature:] Thérèse". Lawson and Thatcher were key allies in the neoliberal economic project, until differences over the Exchange Rate Mechanism triggered Lawson's resignation. iii) The Headmaster, staff and pupils of Friern Barnet Grammar School, 1985. Inscribed "To Mrs Margaret Thatcher M.P. for Finchley and Friern Barnet", with over fifty signatures in various colours of ink within. With a reproduction of a Francois Boucher painting on the front cover, and the printed message on the interior "Greetings and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year from...". Included is a photocopy of a letter Thatcher sent in return dated 2 January 1986, which reads "Dear Mr. Primer, [in type:] I do want to write and thank you and all the pupils who signed the lovely Christmas card to me this year. All the signatures were so clearly written and I was very glad indeed to receive them. [Thatcher's handwriting resumes:] It is a unique card — I shall treasure it. A happy new year to you all. Yours sincerely, Margaret Thatcher", with Downing Street's letterhead and the address of John Pearman Esquire, Headmaster of Friern Barnet Grammar School. Friern Barnet Grammar School was located in Margaret Thatcher's Finchley constituency, and evidently she did treasure and keep the card. iv) Member of the Royal Green Jackets, circa 1985. With a reproduction of a painting of the Peninsula Barracks on the front cover, and the printed message on the interior "With all Good Wishes for Christmas and the New Year from" with the signature "Adam and Felicity". v) Manuel Martin Lobo, President of the Monastery of Yuste in Spain, 1985. With a photograph of the monastery printed on the interior and a printed message on the interior in Spanish below Lobo's pasted signed business card. vi) Helen Suzman, MP in the South African Parliament (1953-89) and anti-apartheid activist, 1989. Inscribed on the interior: "Dear Mrs Thatcher, I hope that 1990 will be less stressful for you. Warm regards & many thanks for the very nice photograph taken when I visited you at No. 10 & so kindly autographed by you. Helen." With a reproduction of a painting printed on the front cover and the printed message on the interior "With Best Wishes for Christmas and a Happy New Year", signed "from Helen Suzman" underneath. Thatcher and Suzman had a series of meetings in London to discuss apartheid, and though they differed politically, they agreed that sanctions against South Africa would be the wrong approach. Thatcher frequently cited Suzman as backing for her opposition to sanctions, a policy decision she was criticised for both at the time and since. vii) Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada (1984-93), 1998. With a photograph pasted on the front cover showing Mulroney winning the Order of Canada, with the printed message on the interior "Joyeuses Fêtes - Happy Holidays", signed by Brian and his wife Mila underneath. Mulroney and Thatcher were political allies who remained friends after they left office. viii) Christmas card signed by numerous unknown individuals: David, Nigel, Charles, Amanda, Tessa, Caroline, Stephen, Tim, Michael, Robin and Mark. Amanda and Mark are possibly Thatcher's grandchildren, in which case the others may also be relatives and friends. ix) George Thomas, 1st Viscount Tonypandy, Labour MP and Speaker of the House of Commons (1976-83), no date. Inscribed on the interior "Denis & Margaret, with love and admiration, George Tonypandy". With a printed photograph of Llandaff Cathedral on the front cover and the printed message "With Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year" on the interior. Despite their different political beliefs, Thomas and Thatcher became close friends. x) Willie Whitelaw, Leader of the House of Lords (1983-88), 1984. Inscribed "To you both with our love Willie & Celia". With a reproduction of a painting of the House of Lords on the front cover, and the printed message on the interior "Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year". Whitelaw was one of Thatcher's closest allies, and she famously stated that "every Prime Minister needs a Willie". xi) David Barclay of the Barclay Brothers, 1992. Inscribed "Thank you once again for giving The European newspaper the opportunity to express your views — which my brother and I agree wholeheartedly. Our very best wishes to you & Denis & your family. David". With a cartoon of the Channel Tunnel on the front cover, and the printed message "With Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year" on the interior with the letterhead of the G L Monaco Corporation. Thatcher contributed an article entitled "No substitute for the nation state" for The European newspaper, owned by the Barclay brothers, in May 1992. Thatcher was close to the Barclay Brothers, and was staying at their hotel The Ritz the day she died. xii) Paul Volcker, Chair of the Federal Reserve (1979-87), 1985. Inscribed "I look forward to exchanging notes on a happy 1986". With the seal of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors on the front cover and the printed message on the interior "My colleagues on the Board of Governors and I offer our warmest greetings and best wishes to you and your associates for a happy holiday season", with Volcker's signature underneath. Volcker's monetary policy in the United States was admired by Thatcher, and the two met in April 1985. xiii) Lady Eleanor Glover-Hurlimann, the widow of retired Conservative MP Douglas Glover (1908-82), no date. Thatcher often stayed at the Glover's home in Schloss Freudenberg, Switzerland. With a printed photograph of Freudenberg on the front cover, and the printed message inside "With all good wishes for Christmas and the New Year from Lady Glover-Hurlimann", signed "Eleanor with love" underneath. xiv) Another card from the same, no date, signed "very much love from Eleanor". xv) Another card from the same, no date, signed "with love and affection Eleanor". Provenance: the estate of Baroness Thatcher.