Janus: Papers of Sir Cecil Beaton

St John's Library/Beaton/A1 contains:
<-- See earlier
481	Postcard to Beaton, from Athens.
482	Letters to Beaton
483	Autograph letter to Beaton
484	Autograph letters to Beaton
485	Letters, telegrams and card to Beaton
486	Autograph letters to Beaton
487	Autograph letters to Beaton
488	Autograph letters to Beaton
489	Autograph letters to Beaton
490	Autograph letters to Beaton
491	Typescript letter signed to Beaton, from Hailsham.
See later -->

More information

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Papers of Sir Cecil Beaton

Title	Autograph letters to Beaton
Reference	A1/486
Creator	Dame Edith Sitwell (1887-1964)
Covering Dates	22 Jan. 1935–30 Nov. 1962 (Many undated.)
Extent and Medium	24 letters; 14p of additional material; paper; Manuscript

Content and context

Poet.

With typescript letter from Eileen Hose, Beaton's Secretary, to Miss D. I. Farquhar, 20 May 1963; 2 autograph letters from Farquhar to Hose, 1 dated 21 May 1963; autograph and typescript review by Sitwell of Beaton's book 'Images'; autograph 'The Heart and the Hambone by Edith Sitwell'.

Index Terms

Sitwell, Dame Edith Louisa (1887-1964) poet, critic and eccentric

St John's Library/Beaton/A1/486 contains:

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Italy. Thanks Beaton for his letter. Would have liked to see him before he went to America. Hopes he will not overdo things. Thanks Beaton for the photograph. The hotel was "divinely quiet", but there has been an "inrush" of loud old ladies. They think she is a "thorough slow-coach".
3p; paper.

22 Jan. 1935

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Paris. Was delighted to get Beaton's letter and hear what a wonderful success Pavel is having. It must have been a wonderful experience. It will be lovely for him that Beaton is there. Asks Beaton to remember that he has had an operation and must not overdo it. Is nearly dead of overwork. Has just had a letter from Osbert.
2p; paper.

18 Mar. 1935

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Renishaw, near Sheffield. Thanks Beaton for his kind and sweet letter. Was sad not to have been able to lunch with him that Saturday. Can hardly believe the case is over. It was very difficult to keep her temper. Feels the case has been a sad disappointment to many people. They had to bring it "for the sake of artists in all the arts". Will send Beaton a new anthology when it is out.
4p; paper.

18 Feb. 1941

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Renishaw, near Sheffield. Thanks Beaton very much for his kind, sweet letter. It is "great fun" being a Dame. Was very disappointed not to be able to come to the Foyle Luncheon, but she has to recite at a festival next week. Hopes that she can lunch with Beaton in August. Wishes him success for the book.
2p; paper.

23 June 1954

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Thanks Beaton for the "wonderful" present. Is delighted with the photographs in the Daily Express. It is a comfort "not to appear as a cross between a turkey that has been insufficiently fattened up for Christmas, and an escapee from Broadmoor!". Hopes he is having a lovely holiday. Also hopes that he will be back in time for her Centenary Celebrations. Will send him a new poem.
2p; paper.

16 Aug. 1962

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Should have written the moment she received Beaton's letter, but has been suffering with writer's cramp. Was glad he was able to come to the concert. Tells Beaton about the supper party. Is sending him her new poems. Thanks him for allowing Francis to use the photograph.
4p; paper.

21 Oct. 1962

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Should have written to Beaton immediately after the "Inquisition", but has been nearly badgered to death by various people. Is grateful to Beaton for his valued friendship. Still cannot get out of her wheelchair. Will post Beaton her books as soon as her regular nurse comes back.
2p; paper.

19 Nov. 1962

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Enjoyed the lovely luncheon party. The Queen Mother has a genius for making everyone feel particularly happy. It was sad going back to work after the party.
2p; paper.

30 Nov. 1962

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Renishaw Hall, Derbyshire. Does not know how to express her feelings about the photos. She will value them more than she can say. Hopes Beaton will come and see them when they are in London.
2p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Asks Beaton if he is free next Wednesday for their film. Cannot get to the telephone because of "other peoples' influenza". Hopes Beaton will not mind sending her a card.
2p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Has had a letter from Mr. Widgey saying he intends to fetch her on Monday. Implores Beaton to be there, or she will go mad if he films her without him. Mr Widgey has rescued a man who was being eaten by a bear in the studio, and this gives him an unfair advantage.
2p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Has told Mr. Widgley they must wait until Beaton comes back. Asks Beaton to let her know when he does. Is not surprised the films are awful as he struck her as being a "complete idiot". Is sorry Beaton's mother has been so ill.
2p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Thanks Beaton for his letter. Will write to Widgey. Must hear what his voice sounds like. Asks Beaton to come for tea on Saturday. Is glad that he liked the book so much.
2p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Is enchanted with the photographs. Beaton has an "outstanding" gift. Hopes that he is feeling better. Asks if Beaton is coming to tea on Saturday. The tea party is designed to "terrify somebody who will not leave me alone". Thought she should warn him in advance.
2p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Encloses the poem. Asks Beaton not to show it to anyone yet. If he can give her details of his studio and the production she can work it in to the monthly despatch. Is looking forward to Wednesday. Asks Beaton if tea on Saturday was one of the most appalling experiences of his life, as it was of hers.
2p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Cannot thank Beaton enough for his gift of a photograph. He is a wonderdul artist and the picture is one of his masterpieces. Returned home on Thursday more dead than alive after a "ghastly" journey. Discusses which day Beaton and his sister should come to tea.
2p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Paris. Asks Beaton to send photos of her to Siegfried Sassoon and Gertrude Stein, and for the account to be sent to her. Tells Beaton about her trip to France. Discusses her meeting with Picasso.
4p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Paris. Feels for Beaton, Nancy and their mother in this tragedy. Osbert told her just as she was leaving London. Would give anything to be able to comfort him. The thoughts of all his friends are with him.
2p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Weston Manor, near Towcester. Is disappointed at not being able to come to Beaton's party and see him before he goes to America. Wishes him the best luck in the world. Asks to have his address in America.
2p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Weston Manor, near Towcester. Thanks Beaton for the photographs. Realises that it was worth "nearly dying of a rush of blood to the head". Was sorry to miss Beaton. It was made worse as she was staying with a woman "with a mind and conversation like a sawdust mill".
2p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Asks Beaton and Nancy to come in next Thursday and drink Tokay with her. There will be a young man there who thinks Beaton is the greatest living photographer. Her new anthology will shortly be sent off to Beaton.
2p; paper.

Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Renishaw Hall, Derbyshire. Asks Beaton for a photograph of herself to give to the International Music Festival. Will be very grateful. Has written a poem here which she is very pleased with. Hopes Beaton and his sister are not still being persecuted by the press.
4p; paper.

Autograph letter to Beaton, from Renishaw Hall, near Derbyshire. Cannot tell Beaton what excitement there is at Renishaw Hall about the photographs. They are all longing to have them published in papers. Discusses her favourites. Last page missing.
4p; paper.

Autograph letter from J. I. Farquhar to Eileen Hose, Beaton's secretary, from London. Encloses the manuscript of the review. Dame Edith asks if she would be so kind as to type a copy and send the original to Beaton.
1p; paper.

Typescript letter from Eileen Hose to Miss Farquhar. Thanks Farquhar for her letter. Asks her to check the typewritten copy to see if it is correct before she sends it off.
1p; paper.

20 May 1963

Autograph letter from J. I. Farquhar to Eileen Hose, from London. Thanks Miss Hose on behalf of Dame Edith. Only one word was mistranscribed. The doctors are satisfied if there is no further haemorrage she may proceed with walking.
1p; paper.

21 May 1963

Autograph review by Edith Sitwell. Of Beaton's book, "Images".
1p; paper.

Typescript review by Edith Sitwell. Of Beaton's book, "Images".
1p; paper.

Autograph poem by Edith Sitwell. "The Heart and the Hambone".
9p; paper.