Elizabeth The Queen Mother (1900-2002) - Autograph Letter Signed to “Dearest Ava”, Lady WAVERLEY - 1958

Fine Autograph Letter Signed to “Dearest Ava”, Lady WAVERLEY (1896-1974, wife of Sir John Anderson, Viscount Waverley) thanking her for “that beautiful New Testament. It is absolutely perfect & the illustrations are so exquisite, that one can spend almost hours looking at them. I am truly very grateful ... I do hope that I shall see you in the New Year ... for I would love to have a talk, and hear how you are. I know how bleak & grey life can be, without the support and strength of the one that one leant on for courage & companionship. My thoughts are with you so much at this time ...”, 3 sides 8vo., with original autograph envelope signed with initials, Sandringham, Norfolk headed paper, 28th December 1950.
Ava Anderson, Viscountess Waverley (formerly Wigram, née Bodley) was Lady Anderson from 1941 until 1952. She was an English political and social hostess at the centre of government during the Second World War. Winston Churchill noted "her contact with gt. affairs". It was said that she had "more indirect influence than any woman of her generation".
Her husband John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley, had died on 4th January 1958. He was a Scottish civil servant and politician best known for his service in the War Cabinet during the Second World War, for which he was nicknamed the "Home Front Prime Minister". He served as Home Secretary, Lord President of the Council and Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Anderson shelters are named after him.