Lot 281

Vivien Leigh ALS With Movie Content

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Vivien Leigh ALS With Movie Content

Estimate: $700 - $1,000

Current Bid: $280

(2 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Vivien Leigh
[Beverly Hills, CA], September 15, 1940
Vivien Leigh ALS With Movie Content
ALS

A 2pp autograph letter signed by British actress Vivien Leigh (1913-1967) on behalf of herself and her new husband Laurence Olivier, as "Larry + Vivien O!" near the top of the second page. September 15, 1940. Written at 9560 Cedarbrook Road, Coldwater Canyon, [Beverly Hills, California], which the couple rented between July and December 1940. Inscribed on both sides of watermarked stationery with red-embossed "Laurence Olivier" letterhead crossed out at top. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds. Isolated minor discoloration from contact with the envelope adhesive on the second page, else near fine. 7.25" x 10.5." Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope engrossed by Leigh, bearing cancelled postage, and postmarked September 16, 1940 from Beverly Hills. Slightly stained and missing the top flap, else very good, 7.5" x 3.875."

Vivien Leigh wrote this jubilant thank-you letter to New York theatre producer Guthrie McClintic (1893-1961) and his wife, actress and business partner Katharine Cornell (1893-1974). British stage and film actors Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier were secretly married two weeks earlier, at San Ysidro Ranch, a hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara, California. Fellow actress Katharine Hepburn had served as maid of honor, and writer Garson Kanin had served as best of man, with Ronald Colman and his wife Benita also in attendance at the covert ceremony. Evidently, Vivien was still getting used to her new status and new name, as demonstrated by the exuberant farewell signature of "Vivien O!"

In part:

"Darlings Both.

Thank you so very very much for your sweet wire. We loved getting it - and your thoughtfulness in sending it.

We have sort of half started the film with tests and stills and rubbish of some kind every day. We can't wait to get on with it and get the thing finished. The news from home gets so that one can think of nothing else but being there.

The flying is going very well, but has to stop during the picture. We wonder so much what your plans are, and think of our lovely times with you with such affection and gratitude. We long to see you again + hope very much to be able to catch a glimpse of you soon…

Larry + Vivien O!"

The film mentioned by Leigh was almost certainly "That Hamilton Woman," which would be shot over the course of a five-week-period in September and October 1940. In the feature-length historical drama, Leigh played Emma Hart, Lady Hamilton, and Olivier portrayed Napoleonic War hero Admiral Horatio Nelson. It was not Leigh's and Olivier's first film collaboration, but it was their first and last one as a married couple. The film was directed and produced by British filmmaker Alexander Korda in the United States under the London Films imprint. "That Hamilton Woman" was released in April 1941 and distributed by United Artists.

As evident by her letter, it was difficult for British expatriates like Leigh and Olivier to be away from England during World War II. "That Hamilton Woman" deliberately drew parallels between an historical tyrant - Napoleon Bonaparte - and a modern day megalomaniac, Adolf Hitler.

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: 7.25" x 10.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000