Details
William Randolph Hearst/Marion Davies
Correspondence from William Randolph Hearst to Pepi Lederer [Marion Davies' niece] in Europe including:
- an autograph letter, signed, on Deutscher "Europa" headed paper, [n.d.but September, 1931] to Peppi in Munich, describing his belief in the significance of art education for a writer, telling her ...I know of no more intensely interesting and satisfying and informing pursuit than the study of art and architecture of the ages.. and warning her against the corruptive influence of modern art ..That is a most degenerate development from which there will be a speedy and complete revolt...The true object of art is to beautify and elevate, to stimulate us to higher thoughts to inspire us with nobler ideals. There is no excuse for art which revels in brutality and vulgarity..., 8pp signed ..sincerely your Uncle William;
- an autograph letter, signed on La Cuesta Encantada, Casa Del Mar, San Simeon, Cal. illustrated and headed paper [n.d. but 1932] describing his armoury ..We have got machine guns and revolvers and all other kinds of guns, - not because of elections, but because the Japs may run over between Shanghais and even if they don't we have enough bad men bootleggers racketeers in our own country... and describing Marion Davies' current film work ...Polly of the Circus was quite successful. It made much money everywhere except New York where they didn't like it on account of there being no vulgarity nor profanity...I have suggested to Irving [Thalberg] that he hire a couple of first class cursers and let them dub in a lot of profanity and obscenity on a print made especially for New York. He thinks its a great idea...
- an autograph letter, signed on La Cuesta Encantada, Casa Del Mar, San Simeon, Cal. illustrated and headed paper [n.d. but circa 1932] to Pepi on her return to Munich from Italy, expounding his views on Italians ...These people enjoy dirt and flourish in it and one of Mussolini's hardest jobs has been to make them accept any approach to cleanliness... giving an account of the importance of Sicily in classic times, and urging his niece to read as much as possible ..travelling makes reading interesting and reading makes travel interesting... 8pp.
- a typescript letter, signed on Los Angeles Examiner, Office of the Publisher... headed paper, February 2nd, 1933 urging Marion's niece to spend her time in Munich wisely ...Keep the serious things in mind and try to accomplish the genuine object of your residence abroad. If you do not do it, you will be regretful later. This is your impressionable age. It is the time to learn...you should be absorbing the knowledge that will do you the most good through the years of your life... 3pp.;
- an autograph letter, signed, [n.d. but circa 1933] - a long lecture on the merits of reading the classics, 12pp.
- an autograph letter, signed on William Randolph Hearst, La Cuesta Encantada, San Simeon, California headed paper, [n.d. but 1934] describing Marion Davies' transfer from MGM to Warner which came about as a result of Mr Mayer's opposition to Marion playing Irving Thalberg's Marie Antoinette ...Marion and I got sore, especially I, and we cancelled our contract...Fortunately when the Warner Brothers heard of the situation they rushed to the front and said..." If they do not want her, we want her" And we promptly signed in an overnight session...The move from Metro to Warner's made quite a sensation...We will not be the stepchildren on the Warner lot...and there is no politics.Everything is proceeding very busily..Marion's bungalow is being cut in slices like a piece of cake, and moved to a very pretty location on the Warner lot...There are propositions for us to come back to the Metro lot, but we are going to give the Warner people a good try-out...Their attitude is so different...Everything that was done for us on the Metro lot was in the nature of a concession...Marion is very happy... 4pp. each letter with corresponding envelope;
- and a novel AINSWORTH, William Harrison The Tower Of London, An Historical Romance, Vol 11, London: George Routledge And Sons, signed on the fly leaf Pepi Lederer.illustrations, original boards, 4to.; and press cuttings referring to Pepi Lederer (a lot)
