Group of nine autographed items by George VI to Geoffrey Jellicoe 1937-1948
GEORGE VI: Correspondence with the Landscape Architect Geoffrey Jellicoe concerning the Gardens at Royal Lodge, Windsor Great Park and the Royal Estates, 1937-1948.
A group of nine items comprising seven autograph letters signed by the King, one signed memorandum note, and one hand written address label. Consisting of:
1. 18th May 1937, 1 sheet 2 sides;
2. 23rd August 1937, 2 sheets 3 sides;
3. 21st February 1938, a memorandum;
4. 30th October 1938, 2 sheets 3 sides;
5. no date 1 sheet, 1 side;
6. 10th April 1948, 1 sheet 1 side;
7. 29th April 1948 1 sheet 1 side;
8. 14th June 1948 1 sheet 1 side;
9. A handwritten address label.
Written on royal letterheads of Royal Lodge, Windsor Great Park; Balmoral Castle; Sandringham, Norfolk; Windsor Castle; and Buckingham Palace. Various formats. The memorandum dated 21 February 1938 returning Jellicoe's book. The Sandringham envelope addressed in the King's hand to G. A. Jellicoe Esq., 38 John Street, Bedford Row, London W.C.1. All in very good condition overall.
A group of working letters from King George VI to the landscape architect Geoffrey Jellicoe concerning landscaping and architectural improvements on royal estates mostly in the early years of the King's reign. The correspondence relates particularly to works undertaken at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. In a letter of 18 May 1937 the King remarks that "The Queen and I are so pleased with the design of the terrace and the sunken garden. It has made all the difference to the house and we feel that it is just perfect." Other letters discuss the design of garden seats, the layout of drives and avenues, planting programmes, the supply of beech trees for hedging at Sandringham, and the use of gravel surfacing for estate paths. A 1948 letter written from Windsor Castle asks Jellicoe to proceed with planting plans and notes that the King is keeping the plan, while another from Buckingham Palace refers to the widening of avenues and the arrangement of new terraces.
Of particular historical interest is the Sandringham letter of 30 October 1938, written on the eve of the Second World War, in which the King observes that the grounds have "settled down again and no longer look like a devastated area with trenches etc. for A.R.P." This reference to Air Raid Precautions trenches show defensive preparations affecting even the private grounds of the royal estate.
The recipient, Geoffrey Alan Jellicoe (1900-1996), was one of the most influential British landscape architects of the twentieth century. He played a significant role in the development of modern landscape architecture in Britain, designing major gardens and landscapes throughout the country. These letters document royal patronage early in his career and show George VI taking a close personal interest in the planning, planting and appearance of the royal gardens.