TLS signed by Lombard as “Love & Kisses, Carole & Clark,” one page, 8 x 10, personal letterhead, November 29, 1941. Letter to socialites and polo stars Babs and Eric Tyrell-Martin. In full: “The old man and I were sitting last night talking about you both and we wanted you to know how much we love you and miss you.
“Babs, dear, I am sorry we didn’t see you before you left, but we definitely understood your anxiety in wanting to get away as quickly as possible, and we don’t blame you a bit. Would have done the same thing darling. Might add that we certainly will celebrate when you come home. Nothing very exciting going on around here. I am working at the moment -- first picture I have made in a year, and believe me I am not career minded at all any more, which I think pleases the old man and after all that is all I am interested in pleasing. Have been jaunting around the country as it is his vacation time, shooting a few birds and having a wonderful time together.
“Do let me know if there is anything you want or anything we can do for you. Hurry back as we miss you to beat hell.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, some scattered light creasing and wrinkling, and small ink stain to top edge and above last paragraph.
None of the hope expressed here would ever come true. The gorgeous actress, who here expresses less interest in being a Hollywood star and a greater desire to simply be “Mrs. Clark Gable,” would soon have her plans altered as the U.S. was plunged into World War II a little more than a week after sending this letter. There would be no time to “celebrate when you come home,” as on January 16, 1942, while returning to California following a war bond rally, Lombard’s aircraft crashed into the side of a Nevada mountain. Her untimely death even altered a scene in the picture mentioned here, the 1942 release, To Be or Not to Be. The film, a satire about Nazism and World War II, had a line deleted in which her character asks, “What can happen on a plane?” A loving note filled with hope and desire that would be dashed only six weeks later. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
