Item 42 - Correspondence concerning the authenticity of a photograph taken by Beaton of Eileen Dunn

Typescript correspondence relating to Beaton's picture of three-year-old Eileen Dunn in Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, during the Second World War. The photograph which was later published in the November 1975 issue of the American magazine, Popular Photography. However, shortly after this, doubts were raised by a lawyer called Merlvin Belli, on behalf of a client, as to the authenticity of the photograph. 1/ Typewritten letter to the Editor of 'Popular Photography' from Melvin Belli, in which he claims that the photograph featured in their magazine is not of Eileen Dunn, but of his client, Lydia Mary Rainford. He accuses Beaton of being a "phoney" and demands that Beaton send his client a letter of apology. [17 December 1975] 2/ Typewritten letter from the Editor of 'Popular Photography' magazine to Melvin Belli, acknowledging Belli's letter and promising to follow up on Belli's accusations against Beaton. [23 December 1975]. 3/ Typewritten letter to Arnold Weissberger from the Editor of 'Popular Photography', concerning the provenance of the photograph. He passes all responsibility for further correspondence on this matter over to Weissberger, but requests that the magazine is informed of the outcome of that correspondence. [31 December 1975]. 4/ Typewritten letter to Melvin Belli from Arnold Weissberger, on behalf of Beaton. Weissberger writes that the photograph to which Belli refers is one of a number of pictures taken during World War II and is already well-documented elsewhere. He writes that he can understand how Belli's client may have been mistaken in the apparent similarity of the photograph, but cannot understand how Belli believed it appropriate to refer to Beaton in such coarse terms. Weissberger concludes by suggesting that Belli writes a letter of apology to Beaton. [14 January 1976]. 5/ Typewritten cover letter to 'Popular Photography' from Arnold Weissberger, concerning the letter Weissberger has sent to Belli. [14 January 1976]. 6/ Typewritten cover letter to Beaton from Arnold Weissberger, concerning previous correspondence relating to the matter [14 January 1976]. 7/ Typewritten letter to Arnold Weissberger from Leslie Ruppe [Secretary to Melvin Belli], stating that Belli is currently out of office on trial until the end of February. [27 January 1976]. 8/ Typewritten letter to Beaton from Arnold Weissberger, concerning an enclosed copy of the letter sent by Belli's secretary. Weissberger writes that he doubts that they will now ever hear from him. [16 February 1976].