Interesting archive of correspondence from Cecil Beaton to Anita Loos consisting of nine ALSs, all signed “Cecil,” both single and multi-page, all undated, and written from various locations including New York, France, and England. One two-page letter reads, in part: “I lead a very worrying, wearying life, but still it engages me in high flown fineries which make life worthwhile. This is written very badly, please excuse after a trip to London. I went by car 200 miles in all to have a tip off tomorrow with the Queen Mother. She is a great person and just to be with her a few minutes gives one food for plentiful thoughts…Otherwise life has been rather sad. The news from the top sounds awful—but what is to be done? Nothing it seems. What a lovely play on Mozart which is packing full houses. I went up to see it and was mightily pleased by Paul Scofield. He is a mean master.”
Another letter, apparently written from England, says “As for Natasha I cannot imagine anything worse than being blind and having to look after herself! What a tragedy! We have just had David Hebert for a visit…He seems a long way from the days when he was a playwright. He is now looking after Michael Duff who is very near the end of a terrible cancer! Oi veh!…I have no news except War, threats of strikes and the sort of news that sends one off the rocker.”
A four-page letter, written in pencil, from England updates Loos on several old friends. In part: “I was home only a few days…to come over here again to do some color photographs for Vogue…I hope after so much Hollywood you will be able to stand the climate here—How’s Thalberg? & Garbo? & Mercedes? & Adrian. I wonder if the old laughs are still laughs for you?” In overall fine condition. RR Auction COA.
