TLS signed “Grace,” two pages, 8.25 x 10.5, no date but circa August/September 1957. Letter to Kelly's MGM press agent, Morgan Hudgins, in part: “Gant is very amusing and great fun to be around and he was always so sweet and such a good friend to me. That is why I was so hurt and disappointed when he chose the loyaltie (& royalties) of Henry Holt instead of considering a friendship—I was a bit embarrassed when Gant first asked me if he could write a book (that would be mostly photographs) of the wedding and Monaco—It was an odd thing for a friend to want to do but because he was a friend I said yes. He felt I had doubts and assured me that it would be done with great taste and I would certainly be pleased—He also said if I wasn't that he wouldn't do it—You know how I hate personal things printed and Gant knows that too—In New York he told me that a few changes were being made—and I begged to see any part of it as I was getting anxious as to how the story was being changed—Gant always said that it was in such a rough state that he couldn't show it—Finally in March or the end of Feb. He sent me the galleys—I nearly collapsed when I saw the cover—The Story of Grace Kelly—I just couldn't believe it—Gant has an amusing way of tell-[ing] a story but in print it loses the humour—and I found the whole thing so unbearably personal and in bad taste—and the few things I asked him to take out—from what I have seen quoted in columns were never taken out—I should have learned that lesson long ago but I don't know why I am such a sucker to go on believing people—No writer yet has ever kept his word about cuts. Gant has me saying things that I have never uttered and that is the most infuriating part—Anything a person has said that I have been in the same room with is always attributed to me—I should be used to it but I guess I never will.
On the Constitution before landing in Monaco, Gant asked me to write him a letter or note saying that I approved of the project—Like a fool I did—without mentioning a title or anything—I didn't fully realise what it was about and what exactly the note was for (As I was not really at my mental best at the time) So I signed this note—which will give Gant Gaither permission to write what ever he likes and [an] as long as he likes about me—I am stuck.
The fact that the book is boring and full of slop is not the point and with all of the other slop that has been written I am really beyond caring very much—but the principle of the thing annoys hell out of me, that I could have been such a sucker and that a friend took advantage of me—I don't believe Gant would have change the idea of the book if Henry Holt co. hadn't asked him to—but he considered them and everyone else before me—Besides a friend's job above all is discretion—Enough about that—It is something I would like to forget.” Kelly adds a few words in her own hand to the text. In fine condition. Pre-certified Beckett Authentication Services.
This item is Pre-Certified by Beckett
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$75.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
