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Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer
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Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo

Complains of recent cold weather. Writes that he enjoyed his week in Paris, although he caught a cold. Describes a day he spent with Diana at Chantilly. Sends news that Diana has been left a legacy by a Spanish Marquis called Emmanuele. Describes Edmond Rostand's widow [Rosemonde Etienette Gerard] whom he sat next to at a dinner. Plans to return to Paris on the following Friday. Enthuses over a French marble bust of an eighteenth-century woman that he has bought. Reports on his search for and purchase of Reddish House, Broad Chalke, Wiltshire. Regrets that Dove, his gardener, did not live to tend the garden at Reddish. Writes about his design work for 'An Ideal Husband' and 'Anna Karenina'. Praises Sir Alexander Korda. Postscript: Details recent purchases, including a new car. Asks Greta to remember him to Elizabeth, the Irish maid, and Eugene, the waiter, who had served him in America. Mentions recent plays he has seen, including Shaw's 'Back to Methuselah'. Recounts a scandal story from the newspapers. Reminds Garbo of their conversation whilst admiring the Park Avenue lights from the roof of a penthouse. Writes that he wants to marry her. Asks her questions.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Letter to Henry Wrong

Typescript letter in which Beaton writes that he is in the process of sending his designs to Alfred Lunt and, provided that Lunt approves, the next phase of operations should commence on the 17th [June]. He requests that Wrong arrange for all detailed stage plans be sent to him before he starts to construct the model.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo

Writes that he is returning to London to escape the building work at Reddish. Discusses how the house will be furnished. Describes an evening drive in the woods. Hopes that Garbo will visit him at Reddish. Wonders whether he will visit Garbo in a helicopter. Speculates that the helicopter will become the new mode of transport.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Letter to Jose Quintero

Handwritten note, regarding period setting for "Portrait of a Lady". Beaton asks whether Quintero would prefer to stage the production in the early or late eighteen-seventies, and offers his own opinion on the merits of each.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Regrets that they were not together through his winter stay in New York. Fondly remembers seeing her at the beginning and end of his visit, especially their last night together. Refers to the star of light from her window. Hopes she will come to England in the summer.

Mentions his turret room in the Sherry Netherland hotel. Mentions his mother's ill health, and her companion. Writes about his garden. Describes unpacking and inspection of house on return from New York, and repacking for journey to London the next day. Refers to his activities and slow pace of life at Reddish. Describes the boat trip from New York. Writes that Ivor Novello died suddenly and Juliet was with him before he died. Asks for her change of address. Sends his love to Katie.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

  • Beaton/A/A2/14a/101
  • Item
  • 18 Mar. 1951 (Circa. Letter dated 'Sunday night'. Date deduced from content.)
  • Part of Papers of Sir Cecil Beaton

Writes that he is exhausted from proof reading his book. Mentions William Somerset Maugham. Plans to go to Spain for two weeks on Wednesday. Asks Garbo for news of her location.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Apologises for delay in writing because he couldn't settle down to write in Spain. Wishes he knew where Garbo was in her backyard, the desert, or the H. H. Explains why he did not enjoy his holiday in Spain and Paris. Complains that he has caught a cold. Reports that the weather has been very bad in the English countryside and the latest sunshine is as 'sensational as the sacking of McArthur'. Announces that his play is to be put on in Brighton on July 16th and possibly in London in August. Hopes Garbo will visit him at Reddish in September. Mentions that he is writing a short story about Greyhound ladies in Spain, reading a novel by Nancy Mitford, and sorting his photographs from his Spanish trip. Annoyed by the child of a neighbour who visited. Wishes to work less and spend more time with Garbo.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from the train from Salibury to London

Apologises for complaining about the weather. Describes an awful winter turning into a heat wave and back into snow again. Explains that the warm weather resulted in him quitting London for the countryside, where he wrote short stories, designed for play in Salisbury Cathedral and weeded garden. He is now returning to London to visit the Festival Exhibition. Describes Victorian objects in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Exclaims over the sale of Garbo's house in California. Hopes it will result in her eventually coming to England. Sympathises over her cold being in its fifth month. Says his cold is better and he has no pains. Enquires after her pains. Mentions his Viennese Doctor, Dr Gottfried. Refers to the impact of George Schlee's illness. Encourages Garbo to visit in September.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from the train

Details his difficulties in phoning Garbo. Sympathises with her situation with the 'poor man', George Schlee. Hopes she will visit Reddish in August/September, which he is keeping free for her. Mentions the sale of Garbo's house in California. Asks what will happen to Gertrude. Mentions that he has been writing short stories, including one about Americans in Spain and one about children and strawberry beds. Reports that the Festival Exhibition in London a success. Describes his meeting with the actress, Constance Collier.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

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