Description:

Katharine Hepburn ALS Reminiscing About "Song of Love": "How did we ever do it"

A 1p autograph letter signed by American actress Katharine Hepburn (1907-2003) as "K." N.d. but the accompanying transmittal envelope is postmarked December 16, 1971. N.p. but almost certainly New York, New York. Hepburn's message is inscribed along a horizontal axis, over a printed holiday message in five languages, within the interior of a UNICEF holiday postcard entitled "Nursery Madonna" after Phyllis Bracket. Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope also engrossed in Hepburn's hand, with the exception of the added postal code. Expected wear to the postcard including a large corner wrinkle at upper left. Else near fine. The holiday card measures 4.375" x 6.125."

Katharine Hepburn conveyed her holiday greetings to Laura Dubman (ca. 1925-1993), the classically trained concert pianist who had mentored Hepburn during the production of "Song of Love" (1947), an MGM romantic drama about the life and work of tragic German composer Robert Schumann. Hepburn and Dubman (later Fratti) remained friends and correspondents during the following decades, and Hepburn became the godmother of Valentina Fratti.

Hepburn wrote in full:

"Dear Laura -

Christmas comes
Christmas goes -
So do we -
So do the hits -
But love goes on forever -
I've just been looking at the pictures from Song of Love - How did we ever do it -

Love
K."

Hepburn had received Dubman's expert instruction on the "Song of Love" set. A child prodigy who made her concert debut at age 5, Dubman was then a pupil of Arthur Rubenstein. She had helped Hepburn portray Clara Schumann in the movie, showing her how to position her hands so that it looked like she was actually playing the piano. Hepburn completed the illusion by memorizing the fingering while Dubman's mentor Rubenstein played the actual notes. Hepburn played opposite male leads Paul Henreid as Robert Schumann and Robert Walker as Johannes Brahms.

Over Katharine Hepburn's 66-year-long acting career, she would star in dozens of films, television movies, and stage productions. Named the leading female actress of Hollywood Classic Cinema by the American Film Institute, Hepburn also won four Academy Awards (1934's "Morning Glory," 1968's "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," 1969's "The Lion in Winter," and 1982's "On Golden Pond") and racked up eight further Oscar nominations. Hepburn was as comfortable in serious theatrical dramas as she was in screwball comedies or period pieces.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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