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Autograph letter signed to family from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New York. Undated, but date inferred from content. Peter [Watson] sails tonight on the Bremen. They arrived back in New York via the Grand Canyon and Chicago, by train. He is getting all his Vogue and Vanity work in, and arranging to sell his Hollywood work. Expects to sail back on the 30th. Not sure whether to economise by moving to the Elysee Hotel. Adele [Astaire] is back and going to marry Charlie Cavendish once her show is over. Tallulah is good in pictures and is making another. Is sending some very good records, some of which are promised to people. Suggests people to whom they might be given: the Hoggs, Mala, Molly and possibly Oliver. Conde Nast has been ill, but is recovering. Asks how the tap-dancing is going. Longs to hear how the garden at Ashcombe is. Asks if Noble can make enquiries about hiring horses for riding.

Autograph letter signed from Kweilin. Dated April 14th; year inferred from content. Had flown there 2 days ago after a night in Kunming where he enjoyed sightseeing while Gordon Grimsdale and Leo Handley-Derry worked at military HQ. They are now stuck due to poor weather. Staying in a bungalow which could be in Golders Green. They have called on the consul and the missionary's widow and have now exhausted the possibilities of the town. He saw most of the town with Grimsdale, head of the British force in China. They will be travelling 4-5 weeks before returning to Chunking [sic, ie Chongquing], which is a foul place, and too expensive to bring any gifts home. The war seems quite remote. There are shortages and a black market. It is cold after India. The Americans have rickshaw races in the main street. After the air trip they will travel on by truck to a place where English officers are instructing Chinese soldiers.

Autograph letter signed to Mummie, from America. [Undated, but from context likely to be early November 1954, as 'the Lunt play' mentioned as opening on Wednesday is Quadrille, which opened on 3 November 1954, during the Queen Mother's visit to the USA.] Has visited the Johnsons house at Princeton which was 'monstrous' and 'vulgar' full of modern gadgets and artificial flowers. But he has been asked to do more advertising pictures as a result of his visit. He is glad to hear his mother has a cook-housekeeper and hopes she'll be of use and be a sympathetic person. There is great excitement about the Lunt opening on Wednesday, and the Queen Mother has been a great hit. She has seen 'Pyjama game' which is one of the snappiest and best musicals he's seen. He may have a difficult week with Jennifer Jones and goes to Boston next week. He is going to decorate an apartment and Serge O. is keen on having a garden on the terrace. Letter is incomplete.

Autograph letter signed to family from the Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood. They leave next Wednesday for New Orleans and he is sorry to leave as he has had a marvellous time and is overworked trying to fit in all the photographing. Is sorry not yet to have met Greta Garbo. Could not have enjoyed the ranch more. Had an accident out riding, with rope burns to his hand, which will be bandaged for 10 days, but he can still write and draw. He recommends they see the films 'Love parade', Jack Oakie in 'Hit the deck' and 'Hallelujah'. Has heard that Little James has arrived in New York and is very ill.

Autograph letter signed from the Ambassador New York to family. There has been an epidemic of flu, which he has had, but is now recovered. Is frustrated at the delay. He may only get the book and not the drawings in the Cosmopolitan magazine which is disappointing. Asks if they wish him to bring anything back with him. Charles's success is outstanding. Anita is going back to Palm Beach. Fred and Adele Astaire's show does not open until September, so Fred will be on the boat that brings this letter. He is going to England for the Grand National.

Hopes to leave on the 14th. Has recovered from flu. Tells Baba to keep her hair on.

Autograph letter signed to family on headed paper from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel New York, written on the train to Washington City and then the Shoreham Hotel Washington. They will proceed to Palm Beach, Havana, Mexico and then California. Is getting on well with Peter [Watson], but they are of very different temperaments. Has done a great deal of work for Vogue. Has sent some gramophone records and asks them to give them to those he had promised: Mala and Patrick and Oliver. He longs to hear Ashcombe news.

Incomplete part of letter, presumably to family. Date is inferred from likely dates in Habana. Asks recipient to by one o f the Boulestin books on cooking and send it to his hotel. Asks if Mr Clifford Whitley of Gordon Hotels Ltd sent a cheque for the illustrations for the Michael Arlen story, and if not if Daddy could chase this - probably around £60. Is amazed at Brazier asking for another £200, as he thought that £100 would be sufficient, but his father could send £50 if he's desperate. Hopes that the Ashcombe garden is getting into shape. Returns clippings in case they get lost and asks them to keep snapshots for his album. The sightseeing in Mexico City is marvellous. They are going to Puebla for the day tomorrow, and leave by air for Los Angeles next, stopping at El Paso.

Autograph letter signed to family, erroneously dated January 21st, actually December. On headed paper from the Ambassador Hotel, New York, but written from Hollywood. Hollywood is Christmas mad with illuminated Christmas trees and paper snow. Has send Dolores del Rio and Lilian Gish being taken. Has spent time with the Berlins.

Autograph letter signed to his family from the Hearst ranch, Casa del Sol, San Simeon, California. Has enjoyed Hollywood and been interested in seeing the process of making talkies. Had been to Aimee McPherson's terrible whist night. Had attended Billie Dove's wedding, where some of the bridesmaids were Bebe Daniels, Norma Shearer and Blanche Sweet. Now staying at the Hearst ranch with Marion Davies as part of a small house party of 30 people. He has never seen so much luxury and describes the house and gardens, likening the dining room to Wells Cathedral. Returns to Hollywood tomorrow for a week, then to New Orleans where he hopes to meet his father, then Florida and Palm Beach for a week. On 3 February he has a discussion on beauty with Rosamund Pinchot for which he will be paid $300. Describes the Roosevelt Hotel. Adds a note that the Christmas cards arrived a week after Christmas and are now worse than useless.