- 35
# - Paxinou, Katina.
Estimate
2,500 - 3,500 GBP
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Description
- A fine series of 45 autograph love letters to Sir Sydney Waterlow
the majority signed sometimes as "ta femme", or with their two initials ("K-S" or "S-K") in French, with occasional phrases in Greek, referring to some of her best-known roles, especially Electra (in Greece, London and Frankfurt) and Goneril, and a new part in an Oscar Wilde play, and describing her long hours of work in the theatre (sometimes up to sixteen hours a day), a routine which was a constant source of anxiety on Waterlow's part over its effect on her health, but which was a distraction for her from the pain of their separation; over 200 pages in all, folio, 4to and 8vo, a few letters numbered, with several envelopes, stamped and postmarked, Athens, Thessaloniki, Paris, London and Frankfurt, 24 April 1938 to 25 June 1939 where dated; [together with:] some 30 love letters by Waterlow to her, occasional light spotting, some letters slightly creased
At the beginning she protests that she is asking for nothing more than to be loved, and that she is content to remain on the sidelines
"...tu dois me connaître déjà assez pour être persuadé que je ne demande rien que ton amour! Tu n'es pas libre j'en conviens! Mais je n'abuserai jamais de ta faiblesse comme tu la nommes et je ne veux qu'être aimée de toi. Je ne veux pas troubler ta vie. Tu le sais..."
Later, however, plans start to be made for when they are "free" and can be together permanently. In one letter she describes a painful scene with her husband, whom she is unable to comfort, assuring Waterlow that this is nothing to do with him and that things would have been the same in any case ("...je ne peux plus le consoler et j'en souffre car il mérite un meilleur sort..."). Elsewhere she relates somewhat pathetically how she has waited for half an hour outside the English church in Athens in the hope of catching a glimpse of him, or walked past his house gazing up at the windows even when she knows he is not there, expresses her maternal affection towards his daughter, asks him somewhat apologetically to get her a big pot of Elizabeth Arden face cream which she uses to counteract the effects of her stage make-up, recounts a number of her dreams (often of an erotic nature) of being alone with him in a little love nest, and recalls the afternoons they were able to spend together
"...oh nos chers après midi où tu m'attendais étendu dans ton lit, et où je venais comme une voleuse par le balcon vite vite toute tremblante me fourrer à tes côtes, me blottir contre ton coeur..."
After a period of nervous collapse from exhaustion she promises to look after her health for his sake, and describes somewhat sheepishly a visit to a fortune teller who described their situation with uncanny accuracy.
At the beginning she protests that she is asking for nothing more than to be loved, and that she is content to remain on the sidelines
"...tu dois me connaître déjà assez pour être persuadé que je ne demande rien que ton amour! Tu n'es pas libre j'en conviens! Mais je n'abuserai jamais de ta faiblesse comme tu la nommes et je ne veux qu'être aimée de toi. Je ne veux pas troubler ta vie. Tu le sais..."
Later, however, plans start to be made for when they are "free" and can be together permanently. In one letter she describes a painful scene with her husband, whom she is unable to comfort, assuring Waterlow that this is nothing to do with him and that things would have been the same in any case ("...je ne peux plus le consoler et j'en souffre car il mérite un meilleur sort..."). Elsewhere she relates somewhat pathetically how she has waited for half an hour outside the English church in Athens in the hope of catching a glimpse of him, or walked past his house gazing up at the windows even when she knows he is not there, expresses her maternal affection towards his daughter, asks him somewhat apologetically to get her a big pot of Elizabeth Arden face cream which she uses to counteract the effects of her stage make-up, recounts a number of her dreams (often of an erotic nature) of being alone with him in a little love nest, and recalls the afternoons they were able to spend together
"...oh nos chers après midi où tu m'attendais étendu dans ton lit, et où je venais comme une voleuse par le balcon vite vite toute tremblante me fourrer à tes côtes, me blottir contre ton coeur..."
After a period of nervous collapse from exhaustion she promises to look after her health for his sake, and describes somewhat sheepishly a visit to a fortune teller who described their situation with uncanny accuracy.
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate. If you require additional information we would recommend viewing the item during the exhibition or contacting one of the specialists for this sale.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Sir Sydney Waterlow (1878-1944) was British Minister in Athens from 1933 to 1939. According to one of the present letters, he met the actress Katina Paxinou on 12 April 1938, a date which they both viewed as a moment of "rebirth", when they became "fully alive" for the first time. It was evidently a coup de foudre for them both, and the present letters testify not only to the physical passion but the depth of feeling on both sides.
Katina Paxinou (1900-1973) was a member of the Greek National Theatre company, where she was directed by her husband Alexis Minotis. Besides the role of Electra, she was well-known for playing Mrs Alving in Ghosts, and Hedda Gabler.