Voluntary Settlement by Mr Rudyard Kipling of securities and a policy of life assurance in favour of his children John Kipling and Elsie Kipling.

Kipling, R.

Published by Deed dated 30th October, 1909, 1909

Engrossed deed, self-wrappers, 12 pp. This is an original solicitor's "office copy" of a "voluntary settlement" or trust deed whereby Kipling transferred several stocks and a life assurance policy into trust for the benefit of his children, John and Elsie. The documents signed by Kipling and the Trustees would typically have been retained for safekeeping by their solicitors in their strong-rooms: a handful of office copies such as this would have been prepared in those pre-photocopier days with the signatures, witnesses' details, date and sealing record inserted in manuscript by a clerk (as here) so that these copies could be used for reference. The creation of this settlement is mentioned in an entry in Carrie Kipling's diary for 26th October, 1909 (and the deed is dated 30th October 1909) but we have not traced any other copy of the document and it does not seem to have been mentioned by any of Kipling's biographers. The settlement was prompted by Lloyd George's April 1909 "People's Budget" which threatened substantially increased taxation on incomes and on inheritances. A number of points of interest emerge from the document. Kipling and Carrie had their signatures witnessed by their great friend and Burwash neighbour Col. H.W. Feilden, (1838- 1921) whose colourful career included service in the Confederate Army and on Sir George Nares' British Arctic Expedition of 1875-76. The trustees of the settlement are Kipling's wife Carrie, his cousin Stanley Baldwin (the future Prime Minister) and his friend and literary agent Alexander Strahan Watt. Baldwin, although already a Member of Parliament, gives his occupation as "Ironmaster" and Watt is described only as "Gentleman". Watt's signature is witnessed by George A MacDonald, who was another of Kipling's cousins and his solicitor as well as a close friend: it may well have been he who proposed the settlement as he advised Kipling on business and financial matters generally. The list of stocks transferred into the settlement includes some 13 railway company and local government stocks: it should be possible to arrive at a valuation of what these were worth at the time. There was also transferred a life assurance policy which the deed reveals had been taken out by Kipling at the age of 25 when passing through New Zealand in 1891. This was formally issued on 3rd November 1891, a day after Kipling had left New Zealand for India and required the annual payment of £20 by Kipling (in the region of £1700 today). Perhaps a slightly unusual investment, as Kipling was single with no dependants at the time, and certainly a significant commitment indicating some confidence on the part of the young writer. In the event of course, Kipling's son John was to die in the first World War only six years after the settlement was created: his surviving daughter Elsie would have become entitled to the trust fund on Kipling's death in 1936. Condition: Somewhat fingermarked, vertical central fold, otherwise Good. Somewhat fingermarked, vertical central fold, otherwise Good. Seller Inventory # ABE-51528

Bibliographic Details

Title: Voluntary Settlement by Mr Rudyard Kipling ...
Publisher: Deed dated 30th October, 1909
Publication Date: 1909
Binding: Soft cover
Edition: 1st Edition