Identity area
Reference code
Beaton/A/A2/14a/82
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 28 May 1950 (Circa. Letter dated 'Sunday, May 28th??') (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
4 p. paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Photographer, artist, writer, and designer of scenery and costumes. Educated at Harrow and St John's College, Cambridge, 1922-5. Made his name as a photographer through portraits of the Sitwells. Employed by Vogue in London and New York. Published 'The Book of Beauty' (1930). Photographed the Duke of Windsor's wedding, 1937. War photographer, 1939-45. Designed 'Lady Windermere's Fan', 1945. Designed costumes for 'An Ideal Husband' and 'Anna Karenina', 1948. Worked on 'The School for Scandal', 1949, 'Quadrille' for Noel Coward, 1952, 'Turandot', 1961, and 'La Traviata', 1966. Designed costumes for 'My Fair Lady', 1956, and for the film version in Hollywood, 1963. His play 'The Gainsborough Girls', 1951 and 1959, was unsuccessful. Published 'The Glass of Fashion' (1954), and six volumes of diaries. Exhibited photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, 1968. Knighted 1972.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Reports that he is staying in a house in France with five other guests, and his hostess, the wife of the 'man who made you'. His hostess' husband is in New York looking after his ill mother. Complains that his painting has turned out in the style of his old drawing master, like W. Egerton-Hine. Plans to stay with Diana Cooper in Chantilly and then meet his mother in Paris. Describes his visit to Michael Duff, his new wife Caroline, and their adopted child in Wales, during the previous weekend. Mentions that Michael Duff has had successful cosmetic surgery. Mentions a trip to London where he attended the Annual Film Ball but left as soon as Bing Crosby had finished an impromptu number. Writes that he also attended a Grand Londonderry Ball, 'Blithe Spirit' came to lunch, and someone asked him to be godfather to their child. Enthuses about the Chelsea Flower Show. Postscripts written later that evening and on Wednesday after his trip to Chantilly.