A Bette Davis Massive Archive of Personal Letters Mostly Handwritten to a Close Friend, 1920s-1960s....

Description

A Bette Davis Massive Archive of Personal Letters Mostly Handwritten to a Close Friend, 1920s-1960s. Approximately 60, many included with their original transmittal envelopes, on either personalized stationery, hotel letterhead, notecards, or holiday cards, spanning 40+ years, all mostly handwritten by the star in various shades of fountain pen or ballpoint ink (though some are typed) to Stanley Wingate Woodward, a well-known artist who was also a neighbor to the young Davis while she was growing up in Massachusetts; the two maintained a close friendship for decades, up until Woodward passed away in 1970, though there was some speculation that they were more than 'just friends;' one early letter (which is crumpled up and partially torn but repaired with Scotch tape) seems to indicate this: penned in black fountain pen ink by Davis (but oddly on Woodward's own letterhead), dated "Nov. 24, 1930" [when Davis was just 22 years old], reading in part "Stanley my dear - / I know you are married / and even in spite of that, I must / write down my feelings for you - please / tear this confession of my soul as I / should not want anyone to read it...;" the tone of the rest of the correspondence changes to "newsy" and "friendly" (perhaps the affair ended or perhaps there never was one?) and illustrates just how deep her friendship was with Woodward as well as with his wife, Ruth; Davis writes about numerous personal subjects over the decades including her husbands, her vacations to Cape Cod, Carmel, and Laguna Beach (among other places), her daughter Barbara, her various pets (we read of them being brought home and then of them dying years later), her day-to-day activities, and the like; strangely, the star doesn't write much of her career and though a few mentions of Broadway and Hollywood do crop up, the content is much more personal and non-work-related; also of interest is the sheer amount of addresses of both Davis and Woodward - they were both quite peripatetic throughout their lifetimes; overall, these letters are a private record of a very public person and they "fill in the blanks" of some aspects of Davis' life; they also illustrate what a rare and touching friendship she was able to maintain for a lifetime with an old friend from home. (Please note these letters are in various states of condition due to age.)
Various Sizes

Heritage Auctions provides as much information as possible but strongly encourages in-person inspection. Condition statements are offered as general guidance only, not as complete representations of fact, and do not constitute a warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted but may be visible in the photos, which are considered part of the condition report. Lots estimated at $1,000 or less are not de-framed for inspection, and we may be unable to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and is not liable for damage to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or artwork that has shifted in the frame. All lots are sold "AS IS" under our Terms & Conditions of Auction.