ROBERT HASTINGS - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 07/23/1969 - HFSID 81010
Price: $95.00
ROBERT HASTINGS
Registrar of Scotland's Gretna Green wedding chapel responds
gratefully to a collector in 1969. Signed twice! Extremely rare!
Typed letter signed: "Robert Hastings", and in postscript,
"RH.", in blue ink, 1 page 6½x5 attached to 7x9 page with news clippings
affixed (2 surfaces). Gretna, Scotland, July 23, 1969. On letterhead as a Local
Government Officer for Gretna, to "Dear Mr. Croxford" in full:
"I am most touched, especially after reading of the real celebrities with
whom you have been in contact, that you should write to me. I have very much
pleasure in sending you my autograph," and in postscript, "I regret there
is no longer a Gretna Blacksmith." The iconic Gretna Green in
Scotland served as the number one elopers' escape in Europe for over 15
years. Ran by Robert Hastings, Gretna Green became popular because
their marriages required no parental consent after the age of 16.
However, with a surge of newlyweds over the years (from 29 in 1953 to 434 in
1967) Scottish officials were forced to review marriage laws in order to pacify
angry parents. A ruling in the 1960s put new restrictions on marriage laws and
Gretna Green lost its publicity as the haven of young romantics. In 1964,
Hastings performed his 2,000th wedding for his 20 year-old niece. 6½x5
attached to 7x9 page with news clippings affixed (2 surfaces). Lightly creased.
Adhesive at corners. Otherwise, fine condition.
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