Description:

Princess Grace of Monaco
[Roc Agel, Monaco], September 9, [n.y.]
Princess Grace ALS: "We are off to Paris on Sunday + back to school" With 2 Eerie Ties to 1982 Car Crash
ALS
An autograph letter signed by Grace Kelly, later Princess Grace of Monaco (1929-1982), as "Grace" at its conclusion. September 9, [n.y.] [Roc Agel, the royal summer residence in Monaco in the Maritime Alps purchased by Grace's husband, Prince Rainier III, in 1957.] On a green-bordered stock card with embossed letterhead reading: "'Rocagel' / Fontbonne / La Tourbie / (A.M.) [Alpes-Maritimes]." Expected light wear, else near fine. 6.375" x 4.125."

Princess Grace wrote this charming letter to her friend, the American female fashion designer Vera Huppé Maxwell (1901-1995). Maxwell first met Grace Kelly in 1955 when they both received Neiman Marcus Fashion Awards, and she frequently visited the Royal Family in Monaco. Vera's interest in fashion no doubt informed Grace's discussion of the "cute clothes" she recently found on a trip to Italy necessitated by Rainier's need to visit his tailor!

In full:

"9/9

Vera dear -

Here are some of Rainier's pictures - [not included in this lot] We just returned from several days in Florence - R to see his tailor - so Steph + I went along to do some shopping - We found some cute things for her -

We are off to Paris on Sunday + back to school -

much love -

Grace - ."

Though the note is undated by year, Grace's reference to youngest daughter Princess Stéphanie's soon going back to school in Paris gives an approximate range of ca. 1975-1982. That is the period when Princess Stéphanie attended two schools near Paris: first a private middle school called Dupanloup in Boulogne-Billancourt; and later an exclusive secondary school at Cours Charles de Foucauld in Neuilly-sur-Seine. Princess Stéphanie received her baccalaureate degree from Foucauld in June 1982, just three months before the 1982 car crash which severely injured both her and her mother.

The letter has two unsettling ties to the accident: the month, September; and the place, Roc Agel. Princess Grace and Princess Stéphanie were driving from Roc Agel to Monaco on September 13, 1982 when Grace suffered a stroke which caused her to lose control of the car; she was taken off life support the following day.

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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  • Dimensions: 6.375" x 4.125"
  • Medium: ALS

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March 12, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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