DLA123-0208  Transcription

[in another hand] 18 

 

29, BOULEVARD JULES SANDEAU (XVIE)

Paris.

 

19th Oct. 1934

My dear friend

 

I’m sure you won’t mind my calling you like that as you know it is quite true & sincere. It was a great pleasure having you here and, personally, I recollect with joy our long & interesting talks on so many various questions – I hope you won’t [forget?] to let me know in time when and how you wish me to send you the Princess’ portrait [possibly 5928].[1]

 

Strange enough, I have had yet received an answer to my letter from my niece Helen;[2] it

 

[Page 2]

 

would, indeed, be most annoying if my letter has gone astray. I wonder whether you wrote her too, as you said you would. – Many thanks for kindly sending me the “W.I.”[3] The reproductions are among the very best I ever saw; they are quite perfect of yourself, of Marina & the portrait [5928]! The photographer is, undoubtedly, an artist .. if a photographer can ever be an artist! But they are really perfect – Of course it is wrong that they should be used as an advertisement – The Princess [&?] Marina accompanied by George went to Belgrade,[4] and I hope to see them back beginning of next week – I am sure your stay in [York?] was a great success & that you painted another masterwork!

 

Will you please remind me to Mrs de Laszlo; we were so pleased you could come to lunch with us; Marina was very sorry to disappoint you, but she was feeling v. unwell that day.

 

Yours [most?] sincerely

Nicholas

Editorial Note:

Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark (1872-1938) [7827]

LR

30/03/2020

[1] De László was commissioned by Prince and Princess Nicholas of Greece and Denmark to paint their daughter, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, later the Duchess of Kent (1906-1968) and her fiancé, Prince George of Great Britain, 1st Duke of Kent (1902-1942). The portraits [5928][5931], intended as wedding presents to the young couple, were commissioned towards the end of September 1934, and exhibited at M. Knoedler & Company, Inc., London, Royal Portraits by Philip A. de  László, M.V.O., Loan Exhibition In aid of The Wedding Gift Fund for St. George’s Hospital (at the special request of H.R.H. The Duke of Kent), November-December 1934 (nos. 7 & 8).

[2] Princess Helen of Romania, née Princess Helen of Greece and Denmark; consort of King Carol II (1896-1982) [4221]

[3] Weekly Illustrated, vol. 1, no. 15, 13 October 1934

[4] Princess Marina and Prince George, Duke of Kent travelled to Paris on 15 October 1934 and then on to Belgrade where the Duke represented his father, King George V (1865-1936), at the funeral of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia (1888-1934).