Identity area
Reference code
Beaton/A/A2/14a/25
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 4 Apr. 1948 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
5 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
Describes the excitement of unpacking the food crates that he brought back from America. Sends news of Juliet Duff, Michael Duff, David who is still in Morocco. Resumes after a three-four day break. Details his activities during three days in London, including attending performances of 'Dandy Dick', 'The relapse, or virtue in danger' and 'The happiest days of your life'. Observes the optimistic atmosphere in London in contrast to New York. Sends a list of questions for Garbo to answer.