British socialite (1901–1960), philanthropist, and wife of Louis, Mountbatten of Burma. Fascinating, one-of-a-kind gathering of jokes and amusing anecdotes from more than 40 various entertainment, cultural, and political personalities, originally collected by Lady Edwin Mountbatten of Burma, most on 5 x 8 sheets or cards, circa late 1950s. The origin of the items is explained in a typed message bearing Lady Mountbatten’s affixed signature: “About two years ago we published a book of Recipes, written and signed by many kind people who knew that by doing so they were generously helping to raise money for the Returned British Prisoners of War Association, of which Association I am President.... We have now been helped again by one hundred well known, and equally generous and kind people who have written and signed for us one hundred Reminiscences, Incidents, or Stories which have amused or intrigued them. These stories and reminiscences will, I think make an attractive and most readable present and I much hope that readers will recommend the book to all their friends. Every penny we receive from its sale goes to help the Returned Prisoners of War Association....” The items include both handwritten and typed contributions (some of the latter evidently prepared by Lady Mountbatten from the original manuscripts). Several of the signatures are on affixed slips, likely clipped from the original submissions. The following personalities are represented by ALS: Agatha Christie (mystery writer, on presenting one of her books to her hairdresser: “My next visit was six months later. As she started the shampoo she said: ‘It was ever so kind of you to give me your book, & I’m getting on with it splendidly! I’ve got to the third chapter already!”); A. A. Milne (a joke titled “The Confession,” in which a young priest is given advice after his first day on the job: “When the more exotic passages of a confession seem to call for some interjectory comment, one finds that an occasional ‘tut-t-tut’ & shocked admonition is more helpful than a prolonged whistle of fascinated incredulity!”); Leslie Charteris (author who created The Saint, a lengthy joke about “progressive” child rearing); Constance Cummings (actress; affixed signature); Jeanne de Casalis (actress and wife of Colin Clive); Arthur Askey (entertainer); Elizabeth Goudge (author); John Mills (actor); Enid Blyton (children’s author); Michael Dimbleby (broadcast journalist). The following personalities are represented by TLS: C. S. Forester (writer of the Horatio Hornblower books and The African Queen; joke about a woman paying fare on a tram; countersigned); Wendy Hiller (actress); Gladys Cooper (actress); Edgar Lustgarten (broadcaster and writer; countersigned); Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (actor); Christopher, Baron Mayhew (politician); Billie Worth (actress); Richard Attenborough (actor-director); Michael Balcon (producer); Elizabeth Richmond[?]; Leslie Mitchell (broadcaster); John Foster (lawyer); and Isabel Dean (actress). The following personalities are represented by typed notes with affixed signatures: Athene Seyler (actress); Leslie Henson (actor-director); Lynn Fontanne (actress); Robertson Hare (actor); Cecil Beaton (photographer); H. M. Bateman (cartoonist); Yvonne Arnaud (actress); Ernest Thesiger (actor); Isaiah Berlin (philosopher); Carl Esmond (actor); Mrs. Carl Esmond; Marie Lohr (actress); Bernard Miles (actor); Noel Streatfield (writer); Brian Horrocks (British military officer); Fannie Hurst (novelist); [Lord] Halifax (British foreign secretary); Lena Ashwell (actress); and Ed Sullivan (TV personality). The items are in very good to fine condition, with scattered light soiling, staining, and handling wear (including creases, small chips, tears, and pinholes). R&R COA.
