Identity area
Reference code
Beaton/A/A2/14a/94
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 19 Sep. 1950 (Circa. Letter dated 'Tuesday September 19th'.) (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
3 p. paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Photographer, artist, writer, and designer of scenery and costumes. Educated at Harrow and St John's College, Cambridge, 1922-5. Made his name as a photographer through portraits of the Sitwells. Employed by Vogue in London and New York. Published 'The Book of Beauty' (1930). Photographed the Duke of Windsor's wedding, 1937. War photographer, 1939-45. Designed 'Lady Windermere's Fan', 1945. Designed costumes for 'An Ideal Husband' and 'Anna Karenina', 1948. Worked on 'The School for Scandal', 1949, 'Quadrille' for Noel Coward, 1952, 'Turandot', 1961, and 'La Traviata', 1966. Designed costumes for 'My Fair Lady', 1956, and for the film version in Hollywood, 1963. His play 'The Gainsborough Girls', 1951 and 1959, was unsuccessful. Published 'The Glass of Fashion' (1954), and six volumes of diaries. Exhibited photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, 1968. Knighted 1972.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Wonders whether Garbo has been given American citizenship. Informs her that he now eats as little as she does. Complains that he is depressed, and that Mrs Wells, the maid, is lonely and feels ill treated by his mother. Describes his photo shoot of Princess Elizabeth's new baby at Clarence House in London. Mentions Prince Charles and Prince Philip. Details a visit to Bath and lunch with his sister, Nancy. Comments on the change of season. Mentions his dog. Plans to have the David Cecils to lunch, dine with Juliet Duff, and travel to London the next day.