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Thanks him for the telegram. Hopes that he will "forgive an author's intransigence insisting upon painting in the background as well as the face".

Beaton writes that they made a great mistake in taking Wolfit who has no team spirit. No progress has been made in ridding him of his "cliché tricks and barnstorming artifices". Hopes Minster will find an advantageous way of getting rid of him. In his postscript, Beaton comments: "the bully has deflated as soon as a firm stand was taken." Minster should on no account let him come to London.

Beaton wished they had had the opportunity of working more closely together since the rehearsals have started. Knows Seale's position has been very difficult. Realizes that taking Wolfit was a great mistake and hopes to find a replacement for him.

Typescript letter to Richard Myers. Has started another re-write of the play, using suggestions made by Allen Davis, the producer, to make Gainsborough a much more important part so that they can get a star for the role. Is working on it with a friend. Told Jack Minster who thinks it's an excellent idea. Will send Myers the new draft in a few weeks' time, and hopes that this new version will be less difficult to put on. Hopes Myers and Suzy are having nice holidays.

Other documents relating to Greta Garbo include a drawing, notes and newspaper cuttings. Letters 1- 21 are contained in a 'Challenge' duplicate book with blue cover; letters 22-39 are contained in a 'National' duplicate book with a brown cover; letters 41-70 are contained in a 'Riverside' writing block with a yellow cover; letters 114-120 are contained in a 'Basildon air mail' writing block with a red cover; letters 121-125 are contained in a writing block with cardboard back cover, missing front cover; letters 127-129 are contained in a Croxley cambric writing pad with white cover, these include a letter to Waldemar Hansen.

Asks which items he should send her. Refers to a visit from Hal Burton. Writes that he may go to Tangier for a short trip before Christmas. Criticises a portrait of his sister that he is painting.

Discusses Lord Cholmondeley's vegetarianism and discourages Garbo from becoming a vegetarian. Details his activities during the week since he returned from America. Sends news of Clarissa Eden, who is caring for Anthony Eden during his illness. Admires her for remaining 'so unembittered by Mr Dulles'. Also sends news that Juliet Duff has her foot in a plaster cast and David has returned home to visit his father. Plans to celebrate his mother's eighty-fifth birthday but worries about her health. Impressions of reading a diary written by his Aunt Jessie in Bolivia in 1890. Hopes that Garbo will no longer be ill when he visits New York.

Typescript letter to the American writer, philanthropist and co-founder of the New York City Ballet, Lincoln Kirstein (1907-1996), in which Beaton writes that he has enclosed a paragraph about George for the memorial show. Is thrilled by the possibility of designing set and costumes for Samuel Barber's new opera, 'Vanessa'. Adds that the news about the New York City Ballet dancer Tanaquil Le Clercq is very distressing and that he hopes for a better outcome than can be expected at present. Le Clercq contracted polio in Copenhagen while performing on the company's 1956 European tour and was subsequently paralyzed from the waist down.

Expresses his disappointment that Garbo did not stay on in England. Refers to the empty seat beside him at the opening of Parliament and goes on to describe the proceedings in detail. Mentions a political crisis which Anthony Eden managed to control. Mentions Lord Cholmondeley, Mrs Rokeby, Hal Burton and his secretary.

Regrets that Garbo is too ill to visit him in England. Writes that his plans to travel to New York in September are still unconfirmed. Describes Spring at his house. Mentions Mrs Rokeby, his new cook, after whom he has named Garbo. Sends news of Mrs Rokeby's husband. Refers to his domestic business, including decorating and his gardeners. Mentions Clarissa Eden.