KATHARINE HEPBURN ON COCO CHANEL: "SHE AGAIN IMPRESSED ME VERY MUCH… LOTS OF GET UP & GO—FOR 87… SHE LOATHES PANTS"—SUPERB AUTOGRAPH LETTER DISCUSSING MEETING COCO CHANEL WHILE PREPARING FOR THE BROADWAY SHOW COCO

HEPBURN, Katharine. Autograph letter signed. [France]: July 30, [1969]. One sheet of yellow ruled paper, 8-1/2 by 14 inches, written on recto for one page. $5500.

Excellent Katharine Hepburn handwritten letter with wonderful fashion content, discussing her preference for wearing pants, and meeting Coco Chanel in preparation for her Broadway role: "She again impressed me very much and the clothes are classic & dignified & lovely materials. She loathes pants… She's a good sense of humor & lots of get up & go – for 87. She's incredible. Does the whole collection herself." Also mentions British photographer, set and costume designer Cecil Beaton: "Beaton a pig." Signed "K-."

Written to her friend and faithful correspondent Meta Stern, Hepburn discusses going to Paris and meeting with clothing designer and fashion icon Coco Chanel. Hepburn was to begin rehearsal for the new Broadway show Coco, based on the life of Coco Chanel, in September of 1969. The show opened in December of 1969, and Hepburn appeared in it for the following eight months. The letter reads in full: "Dear Meta – What a treat. Our first letter. I've heard nothing at all from anyone. It's still hot here. We went to Paris 28th for last day of collection & again today to buy one or two things. She again impressed me very much and the clothes are classic & dignified & lovely materials. She loathes pants. I go in pants – I just can't be that uncomfortable. She's a good sense of humor & lots of get up & go – for 87. She's incredible. Does the whole collection herself. She sits on a straight chair surrounded by jewels and necklaces & belts. A box of numbers, a dish of pins, scizzors [sic] around her neck – rips things apart puts them together – changes blouses & linings & lengths of coat. Fascinating. Love to Sam & Murph – at least 2 wks more. Beaton a pig. K-" Cecil Beaton, the British stage and film set designer and costume designer, won a Tony for his costume design for Coco. Recipient Meta Stern (1925-59) was a Hollywood script supervisor who worked on many blockbuster films, including the 1936 release Mary of Scotland, starring Katharine Hepburn.

Very minor edge wear and creases, else fine condition.