| Title |
Autograph letters to Beaton |
| Reference |
A1/181 |
| Creator |
Ann Fleming (1913-1981) |
| Covering Dates |
1952–1980 (Circa) |
| Extent and Medium |
20 letters, 1 postcard; paper; Manuscript |
|
| Content and context |
Wife of Ian Fleming. |
| Index Terms |
| Fleming, Ann Geraldine Mary (1913-1981) society hostess |
| Fleming, Ian Lancaster (1908-1964) writer |
| St John's Library/Beaton/A1/181 contains: |
|
1
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Looks forward to seeing Beaton on Saturday. Would love Beaton to be Godfather to Kasper and take a picture of him as a christening present. They have asked Noel to be a Godfather, as they thought he would be offended if they did not ask. Last Sunday he gave a demonstration of his stage technique to the baby 'which instantly stopped crying and almost started clapping'. But then he became vulgar and dull. Her only false relationships are with Noel and Rosamond Lehmann and she cannot extricate herself from either of them.
3p; paper. |
2 Sep. 1952 |
|
2
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. After a second operation woke to find herself in a Dali-esque arrangement of tubes. Was also forced to swallow a 'mile or two' of stomach pump. Describes the 'joy of the morphine needle'. Thanks Beaton for his letters. She is on the mend now and hoping to go to the sea with her child on Saturday. Would like Beaton to visit, but they throw people out after ten minutes at the moment. The "Sunday Express" gave a 'disheartening little account' of the Eden honeymoon. Hopes Clarissa is happy. Has heard that Noel returns on Thursday. Aims to return to the 'frivolous life' on the opening night of "Quadrille". Hopes Beaton is finding being alone restful. If Beaton feels like sea air from next mid-week onwards, he would be welcome.
4p; paper. |
1952 |
|
3
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Jamaica. Is ashamed at being the last to congratulate Beaton on his decoration. Beaton's friends generally feel that he should have received a Knighthood. If she was Clarissa and had known it was her last honours list, she would have been tempted to 'scatter them like confetti'. Ian is climbing with Noel. Has caught a chill while catching lobsters. Would like to catch up with Beaton as soon as possible.
3p; paper. |
1957 |
|
4
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Would have pursued Beaton around Hyde Park Corner if she had not been so physically weak. It was kind of Beaton to find her a taxi. Would like to know Susy Parker and is sure she would cheer the lunch table more than Nigel Birch. Laura becomes Mrs Canfield tomorrow.
2p; paper. |
1960 |
|
5
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Expresses gratitude to Beaton for his kindness in recording Fionn's wedding. The results have given them great joy. It was disastrous reading Beaton's book during post wedding exhaustion. Sympathises with Beaton's 'tormenting' holidays at seaside resorts. Enjoyed the book and wrote Evelyn a fierce letter requesting 'a candid account of his escape from his early environment'. He sent a postcard saying that he had neither eaten nor spoken since he saw the photograph of himself at Bron's wedding. Discusses Lady Astor. Can hear a hubbub from the communal garden and suspects the other children are stoning Beaton's godson and 'despite the provocation he gives' she must rescue him.
4p; paper. |
17 Aug. 1961 |
|
6
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Hampshire. Sympathises with Beaton's address in Los Angeles. Went to tea at Petworth today and read Beaton's sad postcard to Pam. Found the Wyndhams devitalising. Discusses a funny Viennese waltz evening with the Schwarzenbergs. Describes a shocking evening at Anna Haglof's. Gives news of the troubles of Joe Alsop and Adlai Stevenson. Had a glorious lunch with Francis Bacon, Lucian and Sonia Orwell. Describes Lucian's adventure of trying to collect Bindy's car. Ian is in Istanbul with the film company doing "Russia with Love". Saw Clarissa and she was dressed astonishingly. Misses Beaton and asks when he returns.
8p; paper. |
6 May 1963 |
|
7
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Jamaica. It was nice to get a letter from Beaton, but has heard that Beaton's mother is ill and that he is returning home. Regrets not seeing Beaton. Hopes his mother is better soon. Beaton is clever to find lecturing easy. Discusses Noel (Coward) and an evening she spent with him. Ian told her that she should not 'gaze with contempt and hatred at Caspar's godfather'. Lucian and her father arrive on the 20th. Describes Lucian's holiday with Raymond. He was in pursiut of Lady Caroline and Fleming has been blamed for 'encouraging bizaare tartan trousered eccentric artists to pursue virginal Marchionesses daughters'. Has not seen Clarissa since before Christmas. Noel (Coward) has a good part as King Magnus in "The Apple Cart". Was sad to hear that it had been promised to Alec Guinness who refused to do it when he heard that Noel was to have the part for the first three months. Discusses her plans. Ava says she would love to be Fleming because of the things Beaton says about her.
6p; paper. |
6 Feb. 1960–6 Feb. 1965 |
|
8
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Dares not think of the two strange companions, Truman and Ian, at "Goldeneye". Hopes Beaton is enjoying the New York spring. Is well thanks to a stay at Enton Hall with Judy. Has just returned from a ball at Chantilly and enjoyed it so much that she cannot wait for another one. Some of them dined with Pamela Churchill and it was very strange. They ate and drank between being painted and combed out. They were supposed to dress up as painters, authors or their creations. Pam Churchill spent hundreds of pounds on her dress and the result was 'negligible'. Violet Trefusis dressed as Hester Stanhope and stole the show. They had considerable excitement in London. Pam got good publicity from the "Telegraph" attacks and Clarissa was in the headlines for complaining that Mrs Botts' washing obscured her views. Discusses Clarissa. Ava has been organising an anti-Pam front in London. Discusses her social plans. Moggy Gage and Evelyn Waugh have both asked her for advice on giving balls.
8p; paper. |
17 Feb. 1960–17 Feb. 1965 |
|
9
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Was saddened that the weekend ended badly for Beaton in the Juliet Charnel house. Feels that women should know when to stop and 'should end splendid social careers knitting and with grand children'. Discusses the shocking atmosphere and various acquaintances involved. Evelyn came for dinner last night and they went to Folkstone and had an afternoon on the dodgems. He was furious that she would not put Caspar to bed with 'a teaspoonful of paraldehyde, send Fionn to the cinema and have dinner with him'. He goes home tomorrow, which is restful for her because he is like 'another difficult child'. The weekend was full of treats. Enjoyed seeing the Edens under happy circumstances. Discusses Clarissa. Thanks Beaton for so many treats.
4p; paper. |
9 Aug. 1960–9 Aug. 1965 |
|
10
|
Autograph letter to Beaton, from London. Feels like a rat, but 'flu and inertia made it seem impractical. Did not go to Eton last Sunday and feels like she ought to go next Sunday. Thinks the rest will be beneficial. Asks Beaton to telephone the moment he returns and tell her all.
2p; paper. |
4 Feb. 1960–4 Feb. 1970 |
|
11
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Liscia di Vacca. Hopes they can meet in Wiltshire from the 8th September onwards. Cyril's 'greed and grovelling snobbery' have repelled her. He arrived 'restless and distracted' and was disappointed not to see the Snowdens. A local tycoon invited her to dine with him and she organised that they should all go. Maurice Bowra stole the show by singing 1914 songs. Got the message that Beaton had telephoned. Cyril also pursued Dru Heinz hoping to go on his yacht.
2p; paper. |
1960–1970 |
|
12
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Aulla. Was grandchildren ridden and broken in spirit on return from her holiday. It is bliss in Aulla with flower walks by day and poetry reading in the evening. Is three quarters of an hour from Oxford. Asks if Beaton would like to lodge with her. Would like to meet. If Beaton is hectic, she will come back stage and make matters worse.
2p; paper. |
22 Sep. 1960–22 Sep. 1970 |
|
13
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Beaton is an angel to spoil Caspar. The gifts were perfect and Caspar will love Beaton forever. Not only was it both bear and gun, but Ian had confiscated his pistol for being unpleasant 'so it was a splendid revenge to stick a Tommy gun into Ian's ribs at teatime'. The hotel is miserable. It has a swimming pool outside with a loudspeaker which constantly announces the results of races. Wishes Beaton a success with the play and thanks him for being a kind and imaginative godfather.
2p; paper. |
27 Aug. 1955–27 Aug. 1960 |
|
14
|
Autograph letter to Beaton, from Wiltshire. Read page 174 of Beaton "Strenuous Years" over and over again. It arrived just in time to ward off depression. Describes disastrous trip back from Portofino. Beaton's book is readable and nostalgic. Beaton brilliantly describes the week in Paris with G.G. Is recovering from a cholera vaccination for a week in Venice with Lord G. Hopes to see Beaton soon.
4p; paper. |
9 Sep. 1973 |
|
15
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Derbyshire. Is overcome by Beaton's generosity in giving her an early Freud. He could have had an extra gardener for years on the proceeds. Loves seeing Beaton and could always pop over for a night. Praises Beaton. Would not like to be Andrew Devonshire or Michael Astor who are always on the brink of boredom and melancholy.
2p; paper. |
23 July 1960–23 July 1970 |
|
16
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Jamaica. Thanks Beaton for his letter. Enjoyed "The Grass Harp" and thinks it will make a wonderful play. Beaton will dress Miss Polly just right. Longs to see how he will architect the tree house. Discusses the bad manners of Loelia. Describes her recent house guests. Dined with Noel (Coward), the Wilsons and the Lunts last night. Noel should be used as a cabaret and not as a guest as he does not understand the give and take of talk and the 'deserts of pomposity between the oasis of wit are too vast'. Noel has written them a poem called "Don'ts for my Darlings". Includes two verses of the poem. Feels ungrateful to be catty, but it is irressistable while he continues to pose as an intimate friend of the royal family. Describes the beauty of the Odo Cross home. Freddy is mad not to visit. Intends to be in New York at the end of March and would like to see "The Grass Harp" or Tristan. Had a charming letter from Clarissa. Hopes that Greta has unwound a little.
5p; paper. |
29 Feb. 1953 |
|
17
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Northern Ireland. Her room is decorated with the photographs Beaton sent and they have given her, Nanny and Ian the most tremendous pleasure. Felt guilty about asking Beaton to take the pictures. Wanted to give Beaton a wonderful Christmas present but could find nothing sufficient so she is sending something useful. On New Years' Eve Ian has to see "Our Man in Havana". Asks if Beaton will go with them. Caspar is asleep and Raymond is at a ball so she has wreaked her will on the Christmas tree. Hopes Beaton is rested and has a happy Christmas.
4p; paper. |
22 Dec. 1960–22 Dec. 1970 |
|
18
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Jamaica. Was sad not to see Beaton on the laryngitis evening. Discusses Paul Anstey. The Gielguds are entertaining John Perry and Hugh Wheeler. Finds Sir John a sweet character but 'only a stage personality'. Noel says he is moving to Tobago because he is persecuted with fans who drift into his garden. Peter has a devestating effect on him. Evelyn is arriving on Wednesday. Peter is 'shattered' at the thought of Evelyn's arrival. Dined with E. Molyneux in Montego. Gives news of various acquaintances. They are enjoying the pleasures of fish, humming birds and sunshine. The Gleaner newspaper had a blurred photograph of Elizabeth, Miss Peake and Princess Margaret on the way to Trinidad. Became fond of Michael Duff on the Q.M. but it was a grisly trip and she felt ill.
6p; paper. |
7 Feb. 1960–7 Feb. 1970 |
|
19
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Ireland. Venice has become a mirage and she feels bogged down in Ireland. Thinks wistfully of her last night in London when Lucian and the Lamberts came to dinner. They motored fifty miles to a dance at Lord Antrim's. She felt in a 'coma of fatigue' but both her 'creatures have inherited party zest'. Hopes Beaton is rested.
4p; paper. |
22 Aug. 1960–22 Aug. 1970 |
|
20
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Wiltshire. Beaton seems to be taking the seventies in his stride with hight spirits and elegant looks. May propose another visit, as Stonehenge is 'the centre of innocent if odd activity'. Asks Beaton to put her name on the Salisbury Festival sub-committee. Was alone last night and panicked about James. Had to take a generous helping of valium and whisky. Sean O'Brien did some painting for her last summer and she loved the way he found birds' nests and climbed trees.
3p; paper. |
29 Jan. 1970–29 Jan. 1979 |
|
21
|
Autograph postcard signed to Beaton, from Tunisia. Is having lots of sun, food and swimming. Went over the Atlas mountains in a landrover and saw some fantastic villages and landscapes. Is going to a local market this morning.
1p; paper. |
1972–1980 |
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