I have just written you a long letter

Despite never being published in the paper, the following brief letter — sent to the offices of The Times in 1946 by the famously eccentric Lt. Col. Alfred Daniel Wintle — was so adored by staff, it has apparently been preserved ever since. It's easy to see why.

Transcript follows. Image from the book, Past. Present. Future. To celebrate Two Hundred Years of Publication. Huge thanks to Nigel Brachi for bringing it to my attention.

Image: Past. Present. Future. To celebrate Two Hundred Years of Publication

Transcript

From Lt. Col. A.D. Wintle.
The Royal Dragoons
Cavalry Club
127 Piccadilly W.1.

To the Editor of The Times.

Sir,

I have just written you a long letter.

On reading it over, I have thrown it into the waste paper basket.

Hoping this will meet with your approval,

I am
Sir
Your obedient Servant

(Signed, 'ADWintle')

6 Feb '46