Identity area
Reference code
Beaton/A/A2/14a/75
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 11 Apr. 1950 (Circa. Letter dated 'Tuesday April 11th'.) (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
3 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 has been in London about scenery and the scene painter complained about the lack of time he was given to complete the work. Admires the spring flower show at the Horticultural Show but complains of meeting boring old acquaintances there and being mistaken for John Gielgud. Mentions that he attended a ballet that had come over from New York, then drove to Redditch with Clarissa Churchill. Complains about bad weather and ill health spoiling his Easter holidays. Cured by an electric blanket. Admires a book by Denton Welsh but does not believe Garbo would read it if he sent it to her. Hopes Garbo will read his book about Ashcombe. Mentions that the farmer's boy had pneumonia. Writes about his Secretary, Maud Nelson's ill health: He needs a replacement but does not want upset her. Discusses his vague plans, including his desire for Garbo to figure more highly in them, and his wish for a holiday in Italy. Refers to his bad dreams about their relationship. Asks Garbo to come to England. Asks her to inform him when she goes to California. Mentions that his nephew is staying with him to fence for Eton College.