ALS in Gujarati, in pencil, signed “Bapu’s blessings,” one page both sides, 4.5 x 8, no date. Gandhi writes to his friend Dr. Behram Navroji Khambatta. In part (translated): “Except for 2nd August, Tuesday, I don't think any other day is possible. I could come by the train that leaves from here at 10 o'clock and return the same night, which means I should be back in Bombay on Wednesday. I am not scared to use the train as I am familiar to that. I feel save from my heart. 2nd Thursday is the only possible day for me. When do you think we should hold the meeting? Ask them, they have been there several times. I will come by the train that leaves at 10 o'clock. I feel it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep the tickets ready. If possible I will leave at 8 o'clock. There are still 7 days left by which means the roads will have improved. So I will come by the 10 o'clock train do you need anything?” A few trivial edge chips and light stain along extreme top edge, text a shade light, but completely legible, and a small split along central horizontal fold, otherwise fine condition.
Gandhi’s life was always connected in some way to the railroad, so it should come as no surprise that he would explain, “I am not scared to use the train as I am familiar to that.” After all, he was born on a train, as was his fight against racial intolerance after being pushed by a railway car. The rails gave him time to think—to develop his cause. That introspection also led to his criticism of the railway system—a system that he blamed not only for impoverishing his country and causing famine by creating a way to ship grains to other markets, but also for giving Britain the means by which to “enslave” his country. A unique item that, upon close inspection, references the way in which he was able to view colonial irregularities while providing the solitude needed to confront the issue. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
