Three 'Love' Letters
1966-67. Alan Searle, once the lover of Lytton Strachey, was W. Somerset Maugham's private secretary and companion beginning in the 1940s. He lived with Maugham in his Monte Carlo villa and remained with him until Maugham's death in 1965. In his final years, Maugham made an unsuccessful attempt to disinherit his daughter and to adopt Searle as his son. Lon McCallister was a rising Hollywood star in the 1940s before retiring in the early 50s. Written soon after Maugham's death, one the three letters alludes to the difficulties Searle was having with Maugham's estate (and likely, his daughter). 1) ALS dated 21st October, 1966 on 6" x *' 'Cunard Line R.M.S. Queen Mary' stationery. The letter opens 'Dear, dearest Lon,' and finds Searle 'dreaming of the happy - divinely happy - times I had with you in California...' After reflecting on the holiday, 'most certainly the happiest of my life... You were absolutely angelic to me. I was crazy about you when I first met you and as the days passed it developed into real love and deep admiration. I cannot wait long to see you and be with you again...' Searle goes on to invite the actor to join him in Monte Carlo and concludes 'Dearest Lon, I think of you with such tenderness and love - I long so much already to see you again. Alan' 2) Two TLS on 30, Avenue de Grand Bretagne, Monte Carlo stationery. The first. dated 12th July, 1967, advises 'I have had to postpone my proposed visit until later in the year.' Searle explains 'I am having a rough and worrying time over Mr. Maugham's affairs. All the money is frozen and if they don't release it soon I shall be hustling.' He continues 'If you are at 9166 (9166 Cordell Dr, George Cukor's residence, which for many years served as the social center to Hollywood's gay community) on Sunday next, will you give all the boys my love, and the two Georges and Harris in particular.' The second, dated 16th September, 1967 updates 'Dear, dear Lon' that Searle will be coming to California after Christmas and asks 'Will you let Scottie (sic) Bowers know that I am on the way!!! (Bowers was the legendary Hollywood pimp from the 1940s-80s). Searle goes on to say 'George has very kindly asked me to stay with him... Are you going to be one of Big George's bridesmaids?' and concludes 'Love from Alan'. Item #21544
Price: $150.00