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Includes letters from many eminent persons.

Letters to and from Beaton.

Floral appointment book for the year 1955. Inscription on the inside cover indicates that the item was a gift to Beaton from Ava [possibly the actress, Ava Gardner, 1922-1990]. Includes entries referring to Florence circa. February 1955; Miami, 1956; leaving New York, April 1956. Also contains material relating to Greta Garbo (1905-1990).

Adored the glossy photos. His life is rather lonely. Anything that reminds him of Beaton is very precious. Asks if Beaton could visit at the end of the month.

Typescript pen portrait of the American author, critic and political activist, Mary McCarthy (1912-1989).

Invoice for Conde Nast for photographs taken by Cecil Beaton. Total price: two thousand dollars.

It is a long time since they have seen each other. Is disappointed because Beaton is different to anyone he knows. Warns Beaton that by becoming eccentric, he may become usual and therefore dull. Advises Beaton not to think before he speaks so that he can remain natural. At Cambridge to be clever and witty is to be Victorian and to be aesthetic is archaic. Advises Beaton not to imitate those who wish to cultivate him. Cambridge is beginning to take an interest in Beaton. They wonder if he is clever and if he is immoral. As long as Beaton is moral, he will interest them until long after he has gone down. Warns Beaton against vanity.

Describes his hotel room. Wishes Garbo was with him. Describes an evening with Mona Williams. Mentions his 'little Greek friend'. Exhorts Garbo to ask Crocker to hurry up her nationalisation so that she will be free to meet him in New York. Begins writing again on Sunday 19 November. Refers to the process of sorting his photographs for inclusion in his Photobiography. Asks if he can use one featuring Garbo. Lists his engagements in London. Writes that he is currently in Brighton with his mother, who has been ill. Mentions his Gainsborough play. Another break in the letter and the next passage written from London. Writes that the Queen of Holland is making a state visit in London and he is having Leland Haywood and his wife to dinner. A postscript states that he would be jealous if Garbo had met the Oliviers and encourages Garbo to spend time with him.

Typewritten pages 3-4 from a play-script, in which Alexander Borgia poisons Isabella, to the despair of Cesare Borgia, his son.

Complains that Paris is dreary. Describes a day trip to Fontainebleau. Mentions his regular morning visits to Diana Cooper, who is ill in bed. Encourages Garbo to make arrangements to meet him in America. Details of his lunch with 'black and white', who intimated that it was too late for he and Garbo to be married. Lists his activities in Paris including looking at Dior's clothes and lunching with Peter Watson. Looks forward to reading a letter from Garbo that awaits him on his return to London on Sunday.