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Lot 521
CHER
A HANDWRITTEN LETTER
Estimate: GBP 300 - GBP 500
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A handwritten letter from Cher to Audrey Hepburn on Cher's personalised stationery, dated 20 April, 1991, the letter conveys her disappointment at having to pull out of the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Tribute to Audrey Hepburn, where she had planned to honour Hepburn and the profound effect she had on her life, expressing her admiration Since I was a little girl you have been my idea of a "star" and it was partly because of you that I became an actress, and recalls the time she was suspended from school for dressing like Audrey in Breakfast At Tiffany's, Cher goes on to reveal Someone once told me I was like a 3rd world Audrey Hepburn... it's one of my favourite comments, and stresses that Audrey has been an inspiration to her, concluding by sending her love and respect, signed in black ink Cher
10 ½ x 7 ¼ in. (26.7 x 18.4 cm.)
Lot Notes
The Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Gala Tribute to Audrey Hepburn on 22 April, 1991, at Avery Fisher Hall in New York was, according to biographer Barry Paris, the most successful since the first Lincoln Center tribute in 1972 to Charlie Chaplin. Hepburn was honoured with tributes by directors Billy Wilder and Stanley Donen, co-star Gregory Peck, and many others.
Paris describes how Gala chairman Ralph Lauren set the evening’s tone by, professing a lifelong adoration of Hepburn. Stanley Donen topped him by noting, “My passion for her has lasted through four marriages—two of hers and two of mine.” He was topped in turn by Billy Wilder, who said he fell in love with her within five seconds of meeting her on the set of Sabrina, and then reprised one of his best lines: “I talk in my sleep, but fortunately, my wife’s name is Audrey.”
Audrey's partner Robert Wolders had invited a special guest, telling Paris Cher was a great personal favorite of Audrey’s. When Wendy pointed out we had all men and no women, I suggested her as a surprise for Audrey, who adored her in Moonstruck. However, as Cher's letter attests, she was reluctantly forced to pull out due to illness just before the event and sent this private note to express her admiration and respect for the actress instead.
Each lot of Audrey Hepburn: The Personal Collection will be issued with a Certificate of Provenance, signed by Audrey Hepburn’s sons, Sean Hepburn Ferrer & Luca Dotti. All photographic material (only) will also be stamped as from the sale Audrey Hepburn: The Personal Collection, September 2017, Christie’s.
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