Showing 4318 results

Marriage of Nancy Beaton to Sir Hugh Houston Smiley on 18 Jan. [1933]. Addressed to 'Mr. and Mrs. John Emerson'.

Typescript essay, in which Beaton discusses the qualities which render a woman feminine and offers advice on what a woman should and shouldn't do in order to achieve femininity. He writes that the most important feminine qualities are the soothing, calming ones. If a man is highly-keyed, temperamental, or pessimistic, then the serenity and enthusiasm of a woman should reassure him. Feminine intuition should be used to create an escape from the unpleasant realities of his business world. Women should not permit reality to be strained too far by allowing their husbands to see them applying make-up, nor show obvious signs of irritation or boredom, since these things are unbecoming and can make anyone appear ugly. A woman should not let the man see how clever she is, nor let him be made to feel inadequate by comparison. She should not interrupt his stories, but allow him to show off occasionally without contradiction. Nor should she appear too efficient, nor reverse a car too cleverly. Finally, a woman should not have too many buttons on the back of her dress, nor have zipper troubles.

Typescript article written for 'House and Garden' magazine, in which Beaton describes the principal reasons for why he continues to live in Wiltshire: its people, topography, and quality of light.

Beaton will be "swamped with felicitations" about his New Year honour, but is determined to add his own. It is delightful. Sends best wishes for happy years in which to enjoy it.

Is glad Beaton saw her on Sunday. They had a wonderful weekend and she was happy. She looked prettier than when he married her 27 years ago. She went off to post the letters and never came back. It is hard to bear, but letters like Beaton's are comforting.

Enjoyed reading Beaton's memoirs. Feels he must take a cautious view when looking at it as a contestant for serial rights. The time lapse is large and Great Garbo has already been dealt with in an earlier volume. Dounbts if it could be cut up into short extracts. Is grateful to Beaton for letting him see it.

A copy of "Cecil Beaton's Fair Lady" arrived today. Thanks Beaton very much. It is a beautiful book. It will be "a permanent souvenir of a great play and of your own genius". Looks forward to seeing him soon.

The arrival of the "My Fair Lady" photographs created quite a stir. Asks Beaton to send a note letting him know how many more will be forthcoming, and what kind of pictures they will be. Informs him that 2, 058 copies of "Royal Portraits" have been sold and they expect to have sold them all by Christmas.