444. GEORGE BERNARD SHAW (1856-1950) British playwright and critic with classic acerbic wit. His works include Pygmalion, The Devil's Disciple, and much criticism of the arts. Provocative, perhaps anti-Semitic A.Q.S. on the bottom of a printed reply card, 1p. 12mo., Welwyn, June 7, 1932 to Leon Simon. The printed text of Shaw's card makes it clear that Shaw will not speak publicly for any reason, except for rare political events, and asks that his name be stricken from lists of available speakers. At bottom he emphatically adds: "Bother your Zionists! They never let me alone. I shall be forced to join the Anti-Semites in self-defense. G.B.S." Very good. In the 1930s Shaw approved of the dictatorship of Stalin and even made some ambiguous statements that could be interpreted as being pro-Hitler. Shaw also made numerous anti-Semitic comments at this time, although the extent to which he was merely being ironic or provocative is unclear. Sir Leon Simon was a prominent pro-Zionist author and advocate. $400-500