Bidspirit auction | GEORGE VI APPOINTS THE U.S.

GEORGE VI APPOINTS THE U.S. CONSUL IN LONDON ON THE DAY GERMANY INVADES POLAND - (1895 - 1952) King of England who gained the throne upon the abdication of his brother Edward VIII; brought Winston Churchill to office as Prime Minister. Important D.S. 'George R.I.' as King, 1p. folio, London, Sep. 1, 1939. On the day that Germany attacked Poland, and act that woudl lead to a state of war between England and Hitler's Germany, the King of England approves the appointment by 'Our Good Friend the President of the United States of America', of John G. Erhardt to serve as Unites States Consul General in London. The document is co-signed by EDWARD WOOD, 1ST EARL OF HALIFAX as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. One vertical fold, else fine condition. JOHN G. ERHARDT (1889-1951) served as Consul in Hamburg and following this appointment he served in London under Ambassador Joseph Kennedy. During the war, he was in a high-level State Department position in Washington, where he was involved in the planning of the surrender of Germany and occupation of Germany and Austria. After the war, he served as de facto Ambassador to Austria and as political adviser to Gen. Mark Clark, who led the American occupation military forces in Austria. His last posting was as Ambassador to South Africa. A fine historical document.