August 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, August 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2013
Mary Astor autograph letter signed. Letter to her agent Gloria Safier on her personal stationery has her Malibu address listed. Dated 26 July 1964, letter reads in part, ''It's Sunday and I'd like to give my 'typewriter back' a rest, so please put up with my writing. The reason there's a time-lag in our communication lately is that Doubleday saves money and sends surface mail. I thought I'd never get Lee's letter after I talked to you! It's given me a big ego-boost having you both like what I'm doing. And like any kid who's received a pat on the head I'm working like mad! Also please relay the info in this letter to Lee. I should be polite and answer him, but I'd rather put in the time on the book! The title will 'happen'. The girl's name is important and I have to decide on it, because I have to 'know' her by name while I'm working....I went through the casts of Shakespearean plays in which the Savilles might have appeared and named her for one of them, like 'Jessica' from the 'Merchant', 'Bianca' from 'Taming of the Shrew', etc. I think it would be a fancy, affected name - like Candace. Then I thought of Penelope which cuts to 'Penny' and provides an absurdity for a big gal. But the one I like best is 'Diedre', which becomes 'Dee-dee' or 'Dee' - and I'm trying to think of a famous Irish play in which there was a character of that name - in which the Savilles might have played. Also, somebody's got to help me on the name of the ship + the steamship line...My time is absorbed in going quietly nuts with Miss Saville. I hope she doesn't take me along with her too far! I shall be very happy to have the rest of the advance. I haven't worked enough this year for it to make any difference tax-wise, and it keeps me solvent just that much longer. I hate the thought of losing a week on a TV show - among other reasons! The news about all the rioting back east is dreadful - and I think it will get worse. So far we haven't had anything that serious here, for the simple and only reason that we have more space. I remember when I was doing the Defenders and I talked to some little colored children around the front gate - they asked where I lived + I said 'California' and one of them said 'What is a California?' - not even 'Where?' Please ask Lee if he okays 'Deidre' - Love, Mary''. Letter runs 3pp. on three separate sheets. Measures 8.5'' x 11''. Pencil notation near the bottom edge of one sheet. Stapled at upper left with a copy of the letter sent in reply by Astor's agent. Near fine.
Mary Astor Autograph Letter Signed -- ''...The news about all the rioting back east is dreadful - and I think it will get worse...I talked to some little colored children...''
Click above for larger image.