Books and Manuscripts

[Loos, Anita]
Mini-Archive Related to Anita Loos and Philadelphia Socialite Hope Montgomery Scott
Locations vary, ca. 1925-73. Comprising various material (17 pieces and some ephemera), including three books by Loos (two inscribed), 11 pieces of correspondence from Loos to her lifelong friends, the couple Edgar and Hope Montgomery Scott, as well as three polaroids taken at a premiere party of Loos's play Gigi, ca. 1951 (two showing a young Aubrey Hepburn), as well as various pieces of ephemera relating to Loos. Size and condition varies, generally very good to near-fine.

Hope Montgomery Scott (1904-95) was a socialite and philanthropist who is remembered as the inspiration for the character Tracy Lord in Philip Barry's 1939 comic play The Philadelphia Story (Hope would be depicted by Katharine Hepburn in the film adaptation of the play in 1940). Hope and her husband, Edgar--an investment banker--were lifelong friends with American playwright, screenwriter and novelist, Anita Loos (1889-1981). Hope most likely became acquainted with Anita through her husband, as he served as Anita's financial advisor.

Comprising:

1. Loos, Anita
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
New York: Boni & Liveright, 1925. First edition, second issue (with “Devine” on Contents page). 8vo. 217 pp. Presentation copy, signed and inscribed by Loos on front free endpaper: “To Edgar and Hope / with much, much love / from Anita.” Original Fidelity Bank check of Hope Montgomery Scott, made out to Loos, inscribed and laid in. Original full red cloth, stamped in gilt, in original illustrated dust-jacket, worn, toned, chipping and loss along top edges and front panel, chipping along bottom edges; all edges trimmed; foxing to prelims.

2. Loos, Anita
A Mouse is Born
Garden City: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1951. First edition. 8vo. 214 pp. Presentation copy, signed and inscribed by Loos on front blank: “For darling Hope / and Edgar in fond / memory and gratitude / for all the fun we’ve / had together. Devotedly / Anita. / May 8-1951”. Illustrated by Federico Pallavicini. Original light blue cloth, stamped in pink and in black, in original illustrated dust-jacket, lightly worn; top edge stained pink, other edges trimmed; pink illustrated endpapers. A lovely copy.

Includes a first edition copy of Loos’s sequel to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, “But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes” (New York, 1928); lacking dust-jacket.

3. New York, no date (ca. 1951). Autograph letter, on New York Hospital stationery, signed by Loos to Edgar and Hope, concerning an investment Loos made through Edgar, and touching on the production of her upcoming play Gigi, “I’m to see Gilbert Miller re’ Gigi—and to see Collette and go over costumes with Castillo…”

4. (New York) Thursday, (October 25, 1951, possibly added in another hand). Autograph letter on Loos’s personal stationery, signed by her to Hope, inviting her to Loos’s Philadelphia opening of her play Gigi, and suggesting they dine together when Loos is in Philadelphia.

5. (New York), Nov(ember). 22, (1951). Autograph letter on Loos’s personal stationery, signed by her to Hope, writing of her disappointment that Hope and her husband Edgar will not be able to attend the Broadway opening of her upcoming play Gigi, and writing of the good time she recently had in Philadelphia.

6. New York, December 1, 1951. Lengthy autograph letter on Loos’s personal stationery, signed by her to Edgar, thanking him for his compliments about the reception of her play Gigi, and informing him of its positive public and critical reception. She mentions a brunch that upcoming Saturday that will be attended by the star of the play, Audrey Hepburn (Gigi was her Broadway premiere), “Audrey will love to join us, if we can make it at Dinty Moore’s next to the theatre, so she can be in her dressing room by 2 for the matinee.”

7. Naples, Italy, June, 4, 1953. Autograph note, on postcard, signed by Loos to Hope, “Darling—This is what we girls come to Italy for! Home June 13…”

8. Pistoia, Italy, June 21, 1953. Autograph note, on postcard, signed by Loos to Hope, “Darling—Aren’t you glad this horrible little bastard doesn’t belong to you?...P.S. Back home the end of July.”

9. Pistoia, Italy, July, 1953. Autograph note, on postcard, signed by Loos to Hope, “Darling—Thought that Edgar might enjoy drawing a mustache on this! Home July 20th.”

10. Sant’Agnello, Italy, August 17, 1957. Autograph note, on postcard, signed by Loos to Hope and Edgar, “Dearest Hope & Edgar, We think this guys armor maker overlooked something…be back the end of Sept…” In original Grand Hotel La Place mailing envelope.

11. (New York), August 14, 1958. One sheet, 7 3/4 x 5 3/4 in. Typed letter, on Loos's personal stationery, signed by Loos to Hope and Edgar, “That headline you sent me proves how right we are to believe in fairies. Any institution that goes back so far had got to be respected!” In original mailing envelope.

12. New York, September 9, 1973. Four pages on two sheets, 7 3/4 x 4 3/4 in. Autograph letter on Loos’s personal stationery, signed by Loos to Hope and Edgar, regarding the upcoming production of one of her shows, and that she’ll unfortunately miss a party hosted by them. In original mailing envelope.

13. Group of three Polaroid’s, taken at a party, likely in Philadelphia or New York, around the time of the premiere of Loos’s play Gigi, ca. November 1951. One photo depicts a young Audrey Hepburn in profile, one depicts Anita Loos with Hope, and a third depicts the cast and production members of the play, including Hepburn and director Raymond Rouleau.

Archive also includes a printed playbill of Gigi from its production at the Walnut Theatre in Philadelphia, dated November 5, 1951;  postcard signed by Loos and Ruth D., familial relation to Loos. Also includes numerous newspaper clippings, including those regarding Gigi, ca. 1951, as well as obituary clippings regarding Loos, ca. 1981. 

All contents collected in quarter blue morocco solander box.