Emily Hobhouse was generally reviled by the public in Great Britain but revered as a hero in South Africa. She was not wealthy and suffered from ill health for much of her life. She had many friends in the Cape and as a token of appreciation for her war-work a campaign was organised to raise money for her retirement; specifically so that she could buy her own house somewhere in Cornwall, her native county. The campaign was kept secret from her and was organised by Mrs R.I Steyn, wife of M.T. Steyn, one time president of The Orange Free State. Hobhouse received the gift of £2,300 on May 21st 1921. She soon found a cottage in St Ives and moved in on the 31st of July. This card, dated August 4th, was sent to General Smuts whilst he was staying in England. It states simply 'In loving & grateful farewell - Emily Hobhouse, St Ives, Cornwall'. This touching note is the card she sent him for his part in the fund raising and is in a sense the coda to her life's work.
It is excellent condition, clean and crisp, with '486' in blue chalk on the front; probably Smut's room number at The Savoy.
It is telling that on her death in 1926 not a single Cornish newspaper published a word about her. In contrast in South Africa her ashes were interred at the foot of the National Women's Monument at Bloemfontein.
- Jacket Condition: n/a
- Binding Condition: n/a
- Overall Condition: Excellent
- Size: Postcard
- Sold By: The Antiquarian Book Company
- Contact Person: Jeremy Carson
- Country: United Kingdom
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