TLS signed “Winston S. Churchill,” one page, 7.5 x 9.5, 10 Downing Street letterhead, October 1, 1952. Letter of congratulations to Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle. In full: “I am writing to tell you how glad I am that you are to be the recipient of the first Churchill Gold Medal of the Society of Engineers. I am only sorry that the pressure of my work prevents me from presenting this to you myself, but I hope you will accept my good wishes and my congratulations on the award.” Central horizontal and vertical fold, punch hole to top left, and a bit of mild toning, otherwise fine condition.
Having once again assumed the office of prime minister a year earlier, the busy Churchill, now faced with foreign policy crises, nevertheless found time to congratulate Whittle, the pioneer developer of turbo-jet aircraft engines. Patenting the engine in 1929 and in 1937 proving to a skeptical British Air Ministry officials that a jet-powered aircraft was feasible, Whittle is considered by many to be the most influential Briton of the 20th century—after Churchill. A great pairing of two of the United Kingdom’s most noteworthy names. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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