Cotswold Auction Company
Lot 287
Grampian DPL PA radio microphone by repute used by Sir Winston Churchill to deliver a V.E. Day speech on 8 May 1945, marking the end of WWII in Europe. With chrome Grampian grille, on/off switch, 'Made in England' label, numbered 8724, applied with a brass plaque engraved with 'The Price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance. Winston S. Churchill', the side of the microphone applied with a label printed with a quotation by Churchill dated 5th December 1942, the underside with a typed label stating 'This microphone was used on the VE Day gathering at Westminster Chapel by Winston S. Churchill after addressing his cabinet', mounted on a red satin covered oval wooden plinth. Sold with other items of Churchilliana, including printed letter of condolence from Winston Churchill (as Secretary of State for War), a Westminster Abbey programme for a wreath-laying to commemorate Churchill, 2015 and two prints of Winston Churchill delivering his V.E. Day broadcast where he can be seen seated before similar microphones. Churchill gave four recorded V.E. Day speeches on 8 May 1945 and made several public appearances. Following his victory broadcast to the nation from the cabinet room at Downing Street, Churchill travelled to the House of Commons where he requested that 'this house do now attend at the church of St. Margaret, Westminster, to give humble and reverent thanks to almighty God for our deliverance from the threat of German domination' (see the Churchill Project). It is presumably at St Margaret's Church, Westminster that Churchill used the microphone to address the congregation. Provenance Acquired at Mullock & Madeley sale Ludlow,14 December 2005, lot 319, where it is stated that the microphone became a showpiece in a restaurant in New Mexico, USA during the 1950s. When the restaurant later closed, its furnishings and effects were sold off, which included this microphone. The microphone was acquired in the 2005 Ludlow auction by a collector of Churchilliana and thence by descent. Provenance: from the collection of Mr George Ridgeon, Gloucestershire
