| Title |
Letters to Beaton |
| Reference |
A1/111 |
| Creator |
Margaret Case (1891-1971) |
| Covering Dates |
1939–1971 (Circa) |
| Extent and Medium |
17 letters; paper; Manuscript |
|
| Content and context |
Society editor, Vogue. |
| St John's Library/Beaton/A1/111 contains: |
|
1
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from New York. Encloses clippings that may interest Beaton. Was 'upset and furious' when Ingersoll published his statement. Discusses the Dorothy Thompson piece about "Fantasia". Thinks she takes it too 'bitterly and seriously'. The political situation in America is very tense. Thinks the majority of people would wish to go to war.
2p; paper. |
17 Dec. 1940 |
|
2
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from New York. Discusses the difficulties of Christmas in London during war time. Everyone's 'hopes, thoughts and prayers are for England'. Remembers that Beaton said that those of them who had faced such a life together would always have a 'special fraternity of experience'. Beaton's work on "Life" has been 'superb'. Extended discussion of Clare. Does not think Beaton is fair about her. Asks him to read her book. Edna is sending Beaton the notice Harry Bull put in "Town and Country" about Beaton's photographs appearing in Vogue. Beyond that and 'one or two obviously Jewish notes' they passed off unnoticed except for admiration. Conde is holding the feature as he thinks the best time to publish it is when the house is receiveing more publicity. Discusses Daphne Straight and Edwina. Discusses affairs in France. Mentions a dinner she went to last night for H. G. Wells, Charlie Chaplin and others. Evelyn Williams' play is 'the greatest dramatic success of the winter'. Discusses Douglas Williams. John Sutros' marriage was happy news.
12p; paper. |
16 Dec. 1941 |
|
3
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from the Conte di Savoia. Discusses her time in Europe. Seeing the work being done for the evacuees made the trip worthwhile. Will return to America sadder and wiser. Harry Luce is joining Clare, so Beaton may see them. Will write Beaton a long letter after the ship gets underway. Appreciates Beaton's sympathy and understanding.
3p; paper. |
17 Apr. 1939–17 Apr. 1945 |
|
4
|
Autograph letter (incomplete) to Beaton, from New York. Feels the tragedy of individuals suffering so much. The British people's 'human endurance is historic'. Heart aches that Beaton and his mother have to 'shiver by candlelight'. Praises Beaton's letter. Americans are beginning to realise 'how much protection and what a debt we owe to the British Empire'. Beaton is fortunate to begin his film work with "An Ideal Husband" and "Anna Karenina".
4p; paper. |
1939–1945 |
|
5
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from New York. The new house sounds 'like something you designed sketched on paper as your project for a dream house'. Discusses social occasion and all the people who were there. John Gielgud went and so did Greta. Dr. Hauser is in New York and Greta and Elsie have both been seeing him. Discusses Greta's reaction to Jerome Berbe's photographs. Discusses Greta further. Thanks Beaton for Dorothy Carrington's travel book. Beaton's travel writing 'compares well' with 'those other distinguished travellers through the ages'. Thinks the best writing Beaton ever did was his appreciation of Rex Whistler in "The Masque". Is glad that everything is going well with Paulette's costume and Alex. Asks if Vincent Korda is designing the scenery for "An Ideal Husband". Finds it hard to understand. Is glad that Beaton and his mother are settled.
10p; paper. |
1947 |
|
6
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from New York. Wrote Binkie a long letter about Beaton's play. Has read the play and considers it very professional. Had a letter from Binkie this morning and includes a quote from it, but Beaton must never tell him this. Binkie appreciated Beaton's manner of submitting the play. Heard that Beaton's part in "The Return of the Prodigal" was consedered a success. Praises his photographs and costumes. Compares New York to England.
7p; paper. |
1948 |
|
7
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from New York. Includes small review clipping. Felt nervous and restless yesterday thinking about the opening of Beaton's play. Tore open "The New York Times" this morning. The English critics have always been 'super critical'. Lots of plays do not do well at first and then open to success on Broadway. Does not make it easier that Beaton has set a high professional standard for everything he does. Now everyone expects the best from him. Is waiting to hear more. Requests that Beaton tell Aldrich and Meyer to bring the play to America where 'there will be nothing scanty about the reviews'.
4p; paper. |
17 July 1951 |
|
8
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from New York. Expresses respect for Beaton. Discusses Beaton's play and factors that put 'a hard glowing spotlight on a not yet ready production opening cold'. Mentions other plays which have become successful after being rewritten. Beaton seems to have received no assistance from anyone. Discusses other plays which have not been successful at first. Beaton's notices were disappointing but not appalling. Thinks it should do well in the English provinces. Tennessee Williams' and Clare Luce's first plays were 'devastated' by critics and 'actually booed off their stages'. Discusses Noel's play, "Island Fling". Beaton's book is a 'sensation'. Is glad he dedicated it to Edna. Edna was 'deeply touched'.
9p; paper. |
1951 |
|
9
|
Autograph letter signed (incomplete) to Beaton, from New York. Discusses some acquaintances and their 'enviable' existence. Francesco is considering producing plays. Wants to secure the rights of Cocteau's play. Discusses Madame Karmisha and her business in New York. Madame Karmisha hopes Beaton will help. Praises Beaton's mother.
4p; paper. |
1939–1960 |
|
10
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from New York. Discusses work. Envied the discussions of the weekend. Looks forward to seeing the improvements at Reddish house. Truman seems to think that Beaton may be over as early as July to start some complicated sets. "Pygmalion" has been postponed for another year. Discusses Constance's funeral. Remembers Constance. Believes that Phyllis intends to stay with Kate Hepburn for a while. Discusses Clifton. Discusses various acquaintances and their work. Bill and Brabara Paley will not be able to leave with Truman but will meet him in Italy later. Slim and Leland expect to go to Spain and stay at the Hilton. The "Journal American" has been publishing Greta's story. Asks if Beaton would like the clippings. Gives news of various friends.
8p; paper. |
1939–1960 |
|
11
|
Autograph letter (incomplete) to Beaton, from Rome. Expresses relief that Beaton is to continue work with Conde Nast as the thought of continuing without Beaton 'in the same soulless factory' was more than she could bear. Has sold her apartment and must move in six months. Expresses sadness at leaving. Describes the things that she will miss. Escaped with a man motoring to Naples. Discusses various friends.
4p; paper. |
1939–1971 |
|
12
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from New York. Should be able to find a place for Beaton when he arrives in late August. Discusses Irene and her 'obsessions'. Everybody is sorry for Mena. Discusses Mena and this 'last agony'. Discusses election night. Would like to have been at the Reddish restoration dinner. Suggests Beaton charge for admission. Discusses the cost of making changes to houses. Thinks Reddish was worth the disruption and price. The Ryans flew off with Truman and the Haywards for a week in Madrid. Discusses their holiday. Extended discussion of various acquaintances. Hopes Beaton's mother is well.
7p; paper. |
1941–1971 |
|
13
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton and Truman, from Naples. Is afraid she has become a spoiled traveller through accompanying ambassadors. Discusses her current travels. Thanks Beaton and Truman for their kindness.
4p; paper. |
1939–1971 |
|
14
|
Card with autograph note signed to Beaton. Expresses gratitude to the artist (Beaton) of this card. Hopes Beaton will come to America this winter.
1p; paper. |
Dec. 1939-Dec. 1971 |
|
15
|
Autograph letter (incomplete) to Beaton, from Tirol. Will never forget Ashcombe. Reminisces about Ashcombe. Praises Beaton and the brilliant way he does things. Describes Austria.
3p; paper. |
1939–1971 |
|
16
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, fom New York. Has never been so unhappy or frightened in her whole life. A month ago heard that Grace Mirabella had been appointed editor of "Vogue". Writes that Mirabella was an assistant of Diana, 'devoid of any editorial ability, personality, education or sophistication'. Now hears that Diana will be relieved of active duty and become Consultant Editor of "Vogue". Asks Beaton not to tell anyone that he knows this as Diana does not want anyone to know until it has been officially announced. Criticises the new management of "Vogue". A note at the top of the letter in Beaton's hand reads 'Last letter from Mt Case before her suicide'.
4p; paper. |
1971 |
|
17
|
Letter to Beaton, from New York. Asks Beaton to forgive what she is about to do, but she has cancer and does not wish to live any longer to be pitied. Beaton is one of her friends that she loved the most. Thanks Beaton for his friendship.
2p; paper. |
22 Aug. 1971 |
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