Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on January 6, 1950, containing belated thanks for their Christmas letters and gift of the book Cry The Beloved Country. King finds it "extraordinary" that three books recommended to him by Violet Markham were given to him by three separate family members that Christmas. The other two were Schweitzer's Out of My Life and Thought and Lead, Kindly Light. [1] King describes his poor health, commiserates with Arthur's disappointment at not seeing his mother at Christmas, and approves of Arthur and Kathleen's plans to use his Christmas cheque to buy a set of nesting tables. King reiterates his pleasure at receiving letters from Arthur and Kathleen, and ends with concern that Kathleen's vitamins might have run out and that he is sending more.
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [handwritten]; Signature: "With fondest love and all good wishes to Kathleen and yourself. [Illegible, possibly Again as?] always, Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie" [handwritten].
Includes handwritten corrections.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Kathleen King on January 18, 1950, on the topic of her vitamin supply. King notes that he is pleased that Arthur and Kathleen have decided to use his gift of money to purchase nesting tables.
Salutation: “My dear Kathleen:” [typewritten]; Signature: “Yours affectionately [typewritten], 'Uncle Willie.” [handwritten].

Copy of the will of William Lyon Mackenzie King, prepared by Gowling, MacTavish, Watt, Osborne & Henderson, Ottawa and signed on February 28, 1950, marked “Not to be released until 9:30 p.m. E.D.T. August 8, 1950.”

Telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur and his wife Kathleen on April 7, 1950, with Easter greetings.
Salutation: none; Signature: "Uncle Willie"

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950 in which he describes his own poor health and expresses concern for Arthur's. King asks for all the details about the oil burner that Arthur has acquired for his furnace and notes that the cost of oil makes heating almost as expensive as coal.
King thanks Arthur for congratulations on "the Royal Honours recently received, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion and the Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold from Belgium," the which he notes belong to the nation and not to him personally. He goes on to quote from a letter from Churchill to himself published on p. 739 of Churchill's most recent work, The Grand Alliance, in which Churchill writes: " ﾑWhat a pleasure it is to see the whole empire pulling as one man, and believe me, my friend, I understand the reasons for your success in marshalling the grand war effort of Canada.' It is a nice tribute from the one who, more than any other, had to do with the direction of affairs at the time of the war." King expresses hope that he will soon be able to start work on his memoirs. He has still not ever visited Arthur and Kathleen's "little home in Toronto", and intends to do so "the first time I am in the city."
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [typewritten]; Signature: "Yours very affectionately" [typewritten] "Uncle Willie" [handwritten].
Includes handwritten corrections.

Printed invitations from the William Lyon Mackenzie Homestead Foundation to Arthur King and his wife Kathleen on May 8, 1950, one inviting them to attend the official opening of Mackenzie House in Toronto on May 9, 1950, and the other inviting them to attend the dinner to be held afterwards.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on May 17, 1950 in reply to one from Arthur commenting on the official opening of Mackenzie House in Toronto on May 9, 1950.[1] King notes that the premier of the Province [Leslie Frost] and the mayor of the City of Toronto [Herbert E. McCallum], both Conservatives, took part in the ceremonies: "To my mind, that disclosed a fine spirit, and one which would have brought great happiness to Mackenzie's heart." King expresses concern that Arthur has not reported on a dinner at which Leonard W. Brockington was to speak: "I thought I had made it clear to Kathleen and yourself that I not only would have liked you both to be present to hear Mr. Brockington speak, but that I would be happy to make that part of the proceeding ﾑmy treat'. King describes the speech [about William Lyon Mackenzie] in superlatives.
In a handwritten added paragraph King wonders if he has not mixed up the Royal York and the King Edward hotels as the dinner location, "or if by any chance, you happen to be minus a dinner jacket or dress suit. Please let me know if you have the latter."
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [handwritten]; Signature: "Once again my fondest love to you and Kathleen,Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie" [handwritten].

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on June 19, 1950, hoping that Arthur and his wife Kathleen had spent a pleasant day in Buffalo with Arthur's mother, that he is enclosing a cheque that he had promised to send for her, and that he is happy she is having a "delightful little holiday."
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [handwritten]; Signature: "Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie" [handwritten].

Handwritten Air Letter from May King in England to William Lyon Mackenzie King on June 28, 1950, describing her trip to England and thanking him for his gift.

Salutation: "My dear Willie" [handwritten]; Signature: "ever affectionately May" [handwritten].

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on July 5, 1950, enclosing a letter that King has just received from Arthur's mother, who is on holiday in England. He says that she acknowledges the cheque King send to her through Arthur, and adds that Arthur might like to keep the letter "as a receipt."
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [typewritten; Signature: "With every good wish, Yours sincerely," [all typewritten] "McKenzie King" [handwritten].

One black and white informal portrait of William Lyon Mackenzie King seated on the farmhouse porch at Kingsmere.
Photo dated July 18, 1950, National Film Board.

Press releases issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, consisting of extracts from messages received on the passing of Mackenzie King.

Telegram from Arthur King to May Macdougall King on July 23, 1950 reporting the death of William Lyon Mackenzie King the night before: “Uncle Willie died quietly peacefully last night with John Harry and myself in attendance. I am representing father here and will detail full account subsequently. Fondest love to you all.
Salutation: none; Signature: “Arthur.”

Two sections, p. [1]-16, 17-32.

Two sections: p. [1]-18, 19-34.

p. [1]-16, 23-24.

p. [1]-18, 35-[36].

p. [1]-16.

Untitled mimeograph draft of arrangements for the state funeral of William Lyon Mackenzie King, dated July 24, 1950, by W.P.J. O’Meara, Acting Under Secretary of State. Appendix “A” lists the honorary pallbearers and Appendix “B” gives marshalling instructions for those taking part in the funeral procession.

p. [1]-4, 11-12, [17]-18, 35-40.

p. [1]-18, 19-20, 33-34.

Leaflet containing the order of service for the funeral of William Lyon Mackenzie King on July 26, 1950, two copies owned by Arthur King, nephew of William Lyon Mackenzie King, and his wife Kathleen King.

p. [1]-2.

p. [1]-2, 9-10.

Two sections, p. [1]-16, 17-32.

p. [1]-[6].

Ephemera belonging to Arthur King and relating to the funeral of William Lyon Mackenzie King, former Prime Minister of Canada. Includes two invitations for Arthur King and his wife Kathleen King to attend the state funeral to be held in Ottawa, Wednesday, July 26, 1950, a card allocating places on the special train from Ottawa to Toronto, and places in a car from Union Station to the cemetery, as well as two luggage tags for the special train. Also includes pre-printed thank you cards.

One booklet. These two copies owned by Arthur King, nephew of William Lyon Mackenzie King, and his wife Kathleen King.

p. [1]-4.

p. [1]-4, [21]-22.

p. [1]-[4].

Two sections, p. [1]-12, 13-28.

p. [1]-4, 21-22, 25-26.

p. [1]-4, 27-28, 33-34, 45-46.

Leaflet containing the order of service in memory of William Lyon Mackenzie King held July 28, 1950 at Westminster Abbey, these two copies owned by Arthur King, nephew of William Lyon Mackenzie King, and his wife Kathleen King. Includes clipping about the service and the peal of bells.

Second Section, p. 13-14.

Clippings contain plans for the memorial service for William Lyon Mackenzie King to be held in Westminster Abbey. One clipping is from the Globe and Mail, Friday, July 28, 1950, p. 4; the other is undated, from an unidentified newspaper.

Mimeograph copy of a transcript of a broadcast by Leonard W. Brockington on August 8, 1950, sent to Arthur King from Laurier House, concerning William Lyon Mackenzie King’s gifts to the nation.

Published transcript of a broadcast by Leonard W. Brockington made on August 8, 1950, concerning William Lyon Mackenzie King’s gifts to the nation.

Typewritten letter from an unidentified person at Laurier House to Arthur King on August 8, 1950, who encloses a mimeograph copy of William Lyon Mackenzie’s King’s will and who promises to send a copy of Leonard Brockington’s broadcast.

p. [1]-2.

Carbon copy of statements of accounts for the estate of William Lyon Mackenzie King prepared by The Royal Trust Company, Ottawa Branch. Includes a cover letter to Arthur King signed by Duncan K. MacTavish, dated April 28, 1952.

Story by Dwight Whalen about William Lyon Mackenzie King visiting Woodside in 1947 and receiving flowers from Marilyn Kilbasco. He details their correspondence and her memories of the occasion.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on May 25, 1950. King is happy that Arthur and his wife Kathleen did after all attend the dinner and speech by Mr. Brockington, that they had a chance to speak with Brockington, and encloses a cheque to pay the cost of the tickets [not present]. King reports that he has been out for one or two drives and that he will soon be going to Kingsmere. He mentions his own poor health and asks after Arthur's health.
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [handwritten]; Signature: "Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie" [handwritten].

Six engraved calling cards from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur and Arthur's wife Kathleen, four of them dated and inscribed in Mackenzie King's handwriting, probably as accompaniments to letters or gifts.
Envelope inscribed “Mr. and Mrs. Arthur King” in Mackenzie King's handwriting.