A handwritten letter on the front and back of a single sheet of his personal stationery imprinted, “Sevagram, Wardha, C.P.” Written December 10th, 1940, to Mr. Mack. “…I thank you for your letter of the 25th. I am sorry I have been late in answering your question but I do not apologize for the delay as I am under medical orders to reduce work to the minimum, if I cannot take complete rest. You have raised a difficult question. Red Cross work I love. I did it during the Boer War and again during what was then called the Zulu rebellion and on propaganda for introducing genuine Red Cross work as part of the education syllabus at its early stage so that a young lad or lass of 15 years would be able to render first aid to any person who is in need of it. Yours sincerely, M.K. Gandhi.” In 1936, Gandhi established his residence and ashram in the village of Shegaon in Wardha, India. He renamed it, “Sevagram,” which translates to “village of service.” A letter of compelling content, ranging from his involvement in worldwide humanitarian aid, to reflections on his time spent in South Africa. Gandhi’s legacy inspired movements for social justice around the world, with Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. both counting him as a major influence. The body of the letter is written in English and in the hand of his secretary. Gandhi signs at the bottom. English letters of Gandhi are scarce and desirable, as most were written in his native Gujarati. In fine condition. $7,250.
