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| Home --> Special Collections --> Collections --> Bill and Anne Bakewell Davis collection of Cyril Connolly papers | |||
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Department of Special Collections and University Archives |
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Bill and
Anne Bakewell Davis collection Collection 2007-037 Dates: 1948-1974, undated. Extent: (1 box). Level of Description: Folder and item level. Name of creator(s): Bill and Anne Bakewell Davis. Date of creation: Undetermined. Scope and Content: 51 letters, 20 telegrams, 40 snapshots, 2 professional portraits, 2 handwritten book reviews by Connolly, book contract for "Shade Those Laurels", pocket notebook belonging to Anne Davis. Administrative/Biographical History: The materials in this archive relate to Cyril Connolly (1903-1974), English literary critic and author. Included are letters; telegrams; book reviews; more than forty photographs of Connolly and his friends; miscellaneous clippings; and miscellaneous articles and correspondence; all relating to Connolly and the literary life. Also included is the original signed contract between Connolly and publisher George Weidenfeld, agreeing that Connolly will produce a book to be called "Shade Those Laurels," which was never published. The 51 letters from Connolly to his friends Bill and Anne Bakewell Davis (older sister of Jean Bakewell, Connolly's first wife who died in 1950) are unpublished and provide a running account of Connolly's public and private life. Connolly was a frequent visitor at the Davis home on Malaga on the Costa del Sol coast of the Mediterranean. Access and Copyright: Language and Scripts: English Finding aid/Inventory: Finding aid is available online. Provenance/Source of Acquisition: Purchased from Dutton's Books, 17 Nov 2007. Date(s) of description: Milissa Burkart, 19 Dec 2007. Access Points:
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Inventory |
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| Correspondence | |||
| All correspondence is from Cyril Connolly to Annie and/or Bill Davis and is handwritten and signed, unless otherwise noted. | |||
| 1:1 | [1948]. "Dearest Annie and Bill I do wonder how your trip is going on and long to hear...." 1s with envelope | ||
| 1:2 | [19 Jul 1950]. "Darling Anne I just got your telegram last night on getting back from the country with terrible premonitions all the way of some dreadful news awaiting. I had been dreaming of Jean...." 1s with envelope. | ||
| [1951]. Anne Davis. "THRILLING NEWS MANY MANY CONGRATULATIONS...." Telegram. | |||
| 11 Jun 1952. "Darling Annie I hear you had another baby. Congratulations...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| [4 Jul 1953]. "Darling Annie Thank you so much for your letter with the NEWS. I was quite certain you would get it but I didn't want to say so in case it put you off...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| 3 Jan 1957. "Darling Annie Thank you so much for your card. I had a very different kind of Christmas at Somerhill...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| [29 Jan 1957]. "Darling Annie Thank you so much for your letter and telegram---I go to S---on Saturday to stay with the L---. I shall fly on the 14th...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| 28 May 1957. "Dearest Bill and Annie Thank you and Annie so much for your two charming letters. I have missed you both terribly--there was really something of home about Ch--- Place while Annie was there to make coffee and preside...." 2s with envelope. | |||
| [26 Jun 1957]. Davis home. "SHOULD PERHAPS START CURE HERE ANTON DELAYING ME FEW DAYS...." Telegram. | |||
| [26 Jun 1957]. "Dearest Bill and Annie I should like to arrive when I arrive and stay THRU September trip but perhaps cooling off occasionally in Ronda or some chic mountain resort in the Sierra Nevada...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| [3 Jul 1957]. "Darling Annie and Bill Just got your letter, crossing mine. It is quite immensely boring here but I have lost 7 pounds and hope to stay till I have lost another seven...." 3s with envelope. | |||
| [Aug 1957]. Davis home. "ADDRESS THROUGH AUGUST C/C KOUTSOUKELLIS...." Telegram. | |||
| [Sept 1957?]. Davis home. "D ACCORD POUR LE 27 ECRIRAL DE LONDRE...." Telegram. | |||
| [7 Oct 1957]. "Dearest Bill and Annie What a contrast! Gray sky, stocks at their lowest ever and a piece of Russian impertinence circling the free world...." 3s with envelope. | |||
| 24 Oct [1957]. Dearest Annie and Bill I feel starved of your new--did you get my letter to La --- which crossed your last one? 1s with envelope. | |||
| 26 Feb 1958. Dearest Bill and Annie Malaga--Madrid. C---...Anne felt like being dragged away from home and family: had never liked 2 people so much. Bill reminded her of C's most dreaded rival: same kind of man!...." 2s with envelope. | |||
| 1 Sept 1958. Dearest Bill and Annie I can't believe you are really coming--please send me a line and I will meet you. I will tell you all my news then...." 2s with envelope. | |||
| [23 Oct 1958]. Davis home. "MISS YOU TERRIBLY PLEASE SEND NEWS BULLETIN GREATLY ENJOYING ALL THE BEAUTIFUL FACILITIES OF EATON SQUARE...." Telegram. | |||
| [27 Dec 1958]. Davis home. "STUCK IN LON LETTER HOPE ARRIVE MID JANUARY SPENDING CHRISTMAS WITH OONAGH CAROLINE...." Telegram. | |||
| [1958]. Davis home. "HAVE BOOKED PROVISIONALLY GIBRALTAR ARRIVING 1435 SATURDAY...." Telegram. | |||
| [1958]. Davis home. "YES PLEASE MEET DO NOT THINK IT NECESSARY TO HIRE CAR...." Telegram. | |||
| [1959]. Davis home. "ALAS HANSI TELEPHONED ASKING ME GESTAAD DAY BEFORE YOUR WIRE...." Telegram. | |||
| 29 Jan 1959. Darling Annie Dearest Bill I arranged to go to Hansi's because she rang up just before I got your wire...I felt she would be terribly hurt if I didn't go a second time running...." 2s with envelope. | |||
| [14 Jul 1960]. Davis home. "MANY HAPPY RETURN DELIGHTED HAVE JEAN FOR NIGHT...." Telegram. | |||
| 1:3 | 25 Aug 1961. "Dearest Annibill--Your telegram lay uncollected at the [Turf] till yesterday--3 weeks--just as well as it was rather disturbing...." Handwritten and signed postcard with envelope. | ||
| 27 Dec 1961. "Dearest Bill and Annie Thank you so much for your letter. We have been expecting you to come to London for a year now, on your way to New York...." 2s with envelope. | |||
| [22 Jun 1962]. "Dearest Bill Thank you so much for your two letters. I would love to have the [---]--please reserve them at once until I can send you the money...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| [19 Sept 1962]. [Code to itinerary]. 1s with envelope. | |||
| [5 Sept 1963]. "Dearest Bill and Annie--Thank you so much for your letter and particularly for the cheque--it was sweet of you. How sad about September I had a sort of feeling that there was a doubt about the Barrings going...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| [19 Aug 1963]. Davis home. "NO FIXED PLANS EXCEPT PROBABLY GOING MOYNIHAM SEPT 6TH TO 13TH...." Telegram. | |||
| 29 May 1965. From Deidre Connolly. "Darling Annie and Bill. So glad to hear you are coming to London 3rd - 14th I was wondering about Nena...." Handwritten and signed postcard. | |||
| [12 Oct 1966]. Davis home. "SOUND IDEA HOPE ARRIVE MONDAY...." Telegram. | |||
| [14 Oct 1966]. Davis home. "HOPE ARRIVE MALAGA 1705 SATURDAY...." Telegram. | |||
| [25 Oct 1966]. "Dearest Bill, Annie The Iberia plane was delayed til nearly 2 o'clock in Madrid--a faulty radio...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| [Jan 1967]. "Dearest Bill and Annie Thank you so much for your telegram--I hope Janetta gave Annie her present...." 1s. | |||
| [11 Jan 1967]. "Darling Annie and Bill I got stuck in a too long and detailed letter to you and Bill and now I can't find it. Situation very complicated...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| [4 May 1967]. "Dearest Bill and Annie I have been meaning to write every day but always waiting for some hot news--was a witness at PQ's wedding, as you may have seen in the Daily Express...." 2s with envelope and brochure for Royal Hotel Ventnor Isle of Wight. | |||
| [2 Aug 1968]. "Dearest Bill and Annie Thank you so much for the invitation. I am committed to my birthday here with Maurice B. staying for it...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| [9 Jul 1969]. "Dearest Bill and Annie Just a line to thank you extremely for the Furneaux book--it came in most useful...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| [8 Aug 1969]. "Dearest Bill and Annie First of all to Bill, many many thanks for your letter. II--to Annie--many many happy returns of the 14 Juillet...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| [Nov 1969]. "Dearest Bill and Annie Your line has been our of order over week-end...." 1s. | |||
| 1:4 | 6 Feb 1972. "Dearest Bill and Annie Thank you so much for 2 fine letters and enclosures which I found very satisfactory. I don't think anyone here would look at a symposium on David Tennant...." 2s with envelope. | ||
| [Sept 1972]. Davis home. "VERY MANY THANKS GREETINGS WHOLEY APPROVE OF MADRIDS...." Telegram. | |||
| [Sept 1972]. Davis home. "DEEPLY REGRET UNABLE ARRIVE WEDNESDAY TRAVEL COMPLICATIONS...." Telegram. | |||
| [Sept 1972]. Davis home. "MANY THANKS LETTER ENCOUNTERING OPPOSITION BUT STILL HOPE FLY MADRED 23RD...." Telegram. | |||
| [Sept 1972]. Davis home. "VERY MANY THANKS LETTERS AND ENCLOSURE PLANS STILL UNCERTAIN MAY BE CEYLON...." Telegram. | |||
| [Sept 1973]. "Dearest Anniebill--In great haste--the ST want to do Janetta's kitchen last week in October...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| 27 Jun 1974. "VERU EXCITED STOP WILL ARANGE SALE BEFORE CHRISTMAS PLEASE SEND JAMES LETTERS AD...." Telegram. | |||
| 10 Oct 1973. "Dearest Anniebill No more question of separating you for the dinner than spelling annibill without Bill and Annie...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| [7 Oct] 1974. Dearest Bill and Annie Am staying in the Gage country: the [broker] is also here and grannie and the Melchetts, a handsome couple who are building a house....2s with envelope. | |||
| Undated | |||
| 1:5 | 16 Mar. "Darling Annie and Bill. It was kind of you to have asked me to lunch with you in London, and I was sorry to miss it...." 1s. | ||
| 10 Apr. "Dearest Annie, Thank you so much for your letter. It was a pity we missed each other---I got my decree nisi a fortnight ago despite last minute promises of reform, repentance, renunciation etc. from Barbara...." 2s. | |||
| "Dear Teo [Bill and Annie's son], I think 100 key books must be out of print--no one seems to have one...." 1s. | |||
| "Dearest Bill Thank you so much for your delightful letter. All pointed noted--I wish I could brave the security risk with Janetta...." 1s. | |||
| "Dear Bill Welcome--Do ring up--Please tell Annie at once that a line was left out by typist...." 1s | |||
| "Dear Bill--This page got separated: does your typescript contain any expurgated passages from A Movable Feast?...." 1s. | |||
| "Dearest Bill and Annie Thank you for your cables---we shall arrive SS Express we hope at Madrid...." 1s. | |||
| "Dearest bill and Annie Thank you so much for your letter (Bill's)--I await the Manet: will take it to Christies...." 1s. | |||
| "Darling Annie I shall fly...from Geneva to Madrid on the 14th from Madrid to Malaga on the 15th...." 1s. | |||
| "Dearest Bill and Annie We spent an extra hour in the airport sitting on the plane--then a very smooth flight--of course there was no need to go back for another day...." 2s. | |||
| "Dearest Bill and Annie Thank you so much for your letter--even that was forwarded here--they won't keep anything and your telegram...was forwarded to the Turf...." 2s. | |||
| "Dearest Bill and Annie I am sorry for rushing, suddenly--I hope the telephonista at Ch--- gave the message that I wouldn't be back for dinner...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| "Dearest Bill and Annie Thank you so much for your wonderful letter about the Madrid eating places--I lent it to Vico Henderson to make some notes for future ambassadors...." 1s. | |||
| "Dearest Annie and Bill Thank you so much for your letters. I am so glad hope is not yet abandoned for the Consula--I really feel you ought to have it--it seems to use the perfect frame for your way of life...." 3s. | |||
| "Dearest Bill and Annie It was sad to get your telegram address unclear when the telegram was quite correctly addressed, or it meant no letter for me; I hope you have my telegram and letter from Pat--- by now...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| "YES GAVE YOU UP BUT CAN RETURN VIA MADRID..." Telegram. | |||
| "DEAREST ANNIBILL STILL TRYING TO WRITE BUT SUFFERING ALL KINDS OF FRUSTRATIONS...." Telegram. | |||
| Letter fragment, signed. 1s. | |||
| 10 empty postmarked and unpostmarked envelopes. | |||
| Cyril Connolly to and from Others | |||
| 1:6 | Cyril Connolly to [?]. Tuesday 5:30. "My dearest love, I have been thinking a lot about what you wrote about your love having changed. Having become less school-girlish and less romantic--and then you asked me if I minded...." Handwritten and signed letter, 1s. | ||
| Cyril Connolly to [?]. Friday 6:00 (our time). "My dearest love, I have written you a short letter already today which I gave to Santi at the [boat] in the hope he will see you tomorrow morning...." Handwritten and signed letter, 1s. | |||
| Cyril Connolly to Gerald. Thursday. "Just a line to say good-bye as I am leaving to-morrow for [Munich] and gather I would not be welcome at your house...." Handwritten and signed letter, 1s. Penciled note at top (not in Connolly's hand) reads: "7th August Cyril did not send this--Gerald paid him a visit that afternoon...." | |||
| G.J. Culling, Monumental Mason to Cyril Connolly. 6 Jul 1957. "Dear Sir I beg to acknowledge receipt of your [---] order for [Cornish] granite memorial to be erected at Woolsey Churchyard...." Handwritten memo, 1s. | |||
| Deidre [Connolly] to Cyril Connolly. 2 Jul 1968. "Darling Mr. Connolly, [Gïsel la S---] rang up this morning with the following information, which, to me, is a bit shattering. She will not arrive at Chaintré until 18th July. She then leaves there on 21st...." 1s with envelope. | |||
| Jack (The Sunday Times) to Cyril Connolly. 22 Jul 1958. "Dear Cyril: I am afraid I had no clear picture as to your movements when you went away. If I have them right now your remain at Malaga until August 10, then move to Munich...." Typed and signed letter, 1s. | |||
| John Joseph Navone, S.F. (St. Francis Xavier Novitiate, Sheridan, Oregon) to Cyril Connolly. 21 Jul 1957. "Dear Mr. Connolly: I am submitting the enclosed manuscript with the hope that it may prove suitable for your publication, Horizon...." Typed and signed letter, 1s with envelope. Included is a typed draft of "Dialogues of 1839", 4p with return envelope. | |||
| Maureen Duff--- to Mrs. Connolly. "Dear Mrs. Connolly, I am afraid you must have thought me terribly rude the way I suddenly left last night but I suddenly felt so ill I thought I might faint...." Handwritten and signed letter, 1s. | |||
| Bill and Anne Bakewell Davis from Others | |||
| 1:7 | 22 Jan 1958. Anne [Gage] to Mrs. Davis. "It is so kind of you to have me to stay and I am looking forward with ever increasing impatience to my first glimpse of the sun...." Handwritten and signed letter, 1s with envelope. | ||
| 4 Dec 1963. P--- (Vale de Lobos, Portugal) to Annie and Bill. "Dearest Annie and Bill, I felt very sad at leaving La Consula, which had become like a second home to me--a home to which I am determined to return one of these days...." 1s. | |||
| 11 Sept 1973. John Bainbridge to Bill. "Thought you might like to see this. Hope all is well at La Conula." Typed and signed card. | |||
| 27 Sept 1973. J. H. Saumarez (G. Heywood Hill Ltd.). "Thanks you very much for your letter which was waiting here on my return from holiday. Typically the Connolly number of The London Magazine was sold out within the first few days...." Typed and signed letter, 1s with envelope. | |||
| Undated. David P-T to Anne Bakewell Davis. "Dear Annie You must have wondered whiter I was alive or dead, not hearing from me. The manuscript is now ready and I'm finished...." Handwritten and signed letter, 1s. | |||
| Undated. [Anne] to Anne Bakewell Davis. "Dear Annie many thanks for your letter. I am sorry I have been so long in writing, but I have only been back a few days, and nothing was forwarded and everything has been very chaotic...." Handwritten and signed letter, 1s. | |||
| Writings | |||
| 1:8 | "Shade Those Laurels." Signed agreement between Cyril Connolly and George Weidenfeld and Nicolson Limited, 18 Jan 1954 for the writing and publication of a book by that title. Never published. | ||
| 1:9 | The Death of a President by William Manchester. Handwritten and typed draft book review by Cyril Connolly, 2p. | ||
| The Penguin Encyclopedia of Places; Algarve by David Wright and Patrick Swift; Lisbon by David Wright and Patrick Swift; Italy: The Places in Between by Kate Simon. Handwritten and signed book reviews, dedicated to "Teo [Davis] with love from Cyril" Jul 1971 10p. | |||
| Handwritten and signed fragment, 1p. | |||
| Typed fragment, 1p. | |||
| Photographs | |||
| 1:10 | Photos and snapshots featuring Cyril Connolly, family and friends. 44 photos. | ||
| Miscellaneous | |||
| 1:11 | Anne Bakewell Davis pocket notebook dated 1959. | ||
| 1:12 | Press cuttings about Cyril Connolly; book reviews; uncancelled bank cheque. | ||