CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Sir (James William) Ronald Macleay (1870-1943) was educated at Charterhouse and Balliol College, Oxford. He entered the diplomatic service in 1895. According to his obituary in The Times, 8 March 1943, Macleay 'achieved much' in 'an unostentatious way', during a diplomatic career spanning four decades, and was known by his colleagues as 'the Worthy Master'.

Both items are in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Each is in its original envelope, with typed address to Cobbing at 262 Randolph Avenue, London. First Letter: 1p., 8vo. He does not 'object to the publication of "Descartes metamorphosis': 'I am looking forward to the record and some other news. What will be the price of were [sic] not high, I should buy another specimen for my friends from my royalties.' Striking bold 13 x 16 cm design in black at foot of page, somewhat like a melted anthropomorphic letter H. Letter Two: 1p., folio (42 x 21 cm).

All three in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The ALS is accompanied by its stamped and postmarked envelope, addresed by Nov

Mimeographed or similar, 74pp., 4to, simple card binding, title label faded, Copy no. [10]. marked SECRET on title. DUP pencilled on title also. [Forewrd] This report is a record of information on German armament activity in Czechoslovakia. The Czech Ministry of Defence has helped in the preparation. Appendix 6 is an alphabetical record of the principal personnel mentioned in the report... Full of infomation about people (inc. Germans) involved durting the War, with a report on Skoda (appendix I, pp.14-22, and an experimental station, pp.29-32, etc.

On one side of an 8vo leaf. Worn and creased, but with text clear and entire. Printed in red ink, and headed 'POST OFFICE TELEGRAMS, S. RHODESIA.' Four strips of text, reading 'CHAMBERLAIN POINTS AT BERCHTESGADEN HITLER SAID THE SUDETENS MUST HAVE SELF DETERMINATION AND RETURN TO THE REICH IF THEY DESIRED AND THAT RATHER THAN WAIT HE WAS PREPARED TO RISK A WORLD WAR = END MESSAGE'. From the archive of James Pollock, accredited Correspondent of Argus South African Newspapers Ltd.

Two pages, folio. Good, but on discoloured and lightly creased paper, with remains of stub adhering to one edge of verso. In English, with illegible signature. Begins 'The State Office of Statistics appreciating fully the great importance of an exact information of the British publicity of the conditions in the Czechoslovakia has the honour to send you simultaneously her following publications.' Five items listed.

Prominent Czechoslovak diplomat, one of the founders of free Czechoslovakia (1889-1973). Slip of paper, 1 inch by 4½ inches, creased and grubby and glued to a piece of neatly-docketed blue card. Signed in blue ink beneath typewritten 'I remain, dear Doctor Esdaile, | Yours sincerely.'