# - Cradock, Fanny.

A substantial archive of material spanning the career of celebrity chef, journalist and author Fanny Cradock (1909-1994) comprising c.120 letters (including a letter of appreciation from Somerset Maugham) of business correspondence and fan mail, file of various television scripts and magazine articles, Visitor's Book, twelve scrapbooks of press-cuttings and articles, c.200 restaurant menus, c.430 photographs including an inscribed photograph of Douglas Fairbanks Jnr. and numerous books by Fanny and Johnnie Cradock (quantity)



Fanny Cradock was the original flamboyant TV celebrity chef with a career that started in the 1950s. For thirty-five years she wrote for The Daily Telegraph as 'Bon Viveur'. She is the subject of a biography published last year.

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"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."

The archive includes:

Printed Books
Eleven volumes by Fanny Cradock, comprising: The Practical Cook, John Lehmann, 1949; Gateway to Remembrance, Andrew Daker, 1950, reprint, remnants of dust-jacket; Brigadier Gooseyplum Goes to War, Hodder and Stoughton, 1950, publisher's file copy; Bon Voyage, John Lehmann, 1950, reprint; Around Britain with Bon Viveur, John Lehmann, 1952; Holiday in Barcelona and the Balearics, Frederick Muller, 1954; Happy Cooking Children (No 2), Putnam, 1959, signed by Fanny and Johnnie Cradock; Happy Cooking Children (No 4), Putnam, 1959, signed by Fanny and Johnnie Cradock; The Sherlock Holmes Cookbook, W.H. Allen, 1976, inscribed to Fanny Cradock by Val Biro, dust-jacket; Fanny and Johnnie Cradock's Freezer Book, W.H. Allen 1978, presentation copy inscribed by the author; The Windsor Secret, Fanny Cradock, W.H. Allen, 1987, paperback; all 8vo, original bindings

Three volumes from the library of Fanny Cradock, comprising ed. Armstrong, A.C. Who's Who: Dining and Lodging. Who's Who Historical Society, 1958, presentation copy inscribed by the editor--Langseth-Christensen, L. Gourmet's Old Vienna Cookbook, Hamish Hamilton, 1959, notes by Fanny Cradock--Girardet, F. Cuisine Spontanee, Macmillan, 1985, criticism of translator by Fanny Cradock; all 8vo, original bindings

Letters
c.120 typed and autograph letters of business correspondence (including publishers and literary agents) and fan mail including 11 letters and cards, mostly autograph, by Johnnie Cradock to Fanny ("my sweetest one", "my own baby bunny", etc.), 25 pages, chiefly 1940s, some dampstaining; c.50 letters of condolence on the death of Johnnie Cradock, 1987; c.65 letters by publishers, television executives, friends, and fans, including by Somerset Maugham ("thank you... for sending me the recipe for Kedgeree..."), 1950s-80s; file of c.25 retained copies or drafts of letters by Fanny Cradock to various correspondents, 1950s-80s and copies of BBC correspondence about the Cradocks (including a radio voice test from 1952: "she has a pleasant, mature, rather husky voice...")

Articles and Scripts
File of several television scripts and magazine articles, including scripts for interview programmes hosted by Fanny Cradock, treatments for possible programmes, and typescripts of articles on food, many with autograph annotations by Fanny Cradock

Miscellaneous Ephemera and Items
Numerous items, including: Fanny Cradock's passport, 1946-195--Two Royal Artillery caps worn by Johnnie Cradock--Legal documents (including marriage certificate for Fanny and Johnnie Craddock, 1977)--Accounts ledger, in the hand of Johnnie Cradock detailing incomings and outgoings, 1975-96--Pedigree certificate for Fanny's Lhasa Apso dog, 1979--Visitors' book for 134 Shooter's Hill Road, Blackheath, including the signatures of Robert Carrier, Hughie Green and Nicholas Parsons, Gyles Brandreth, and Norman Hartnell, 1959-79

Cuttings
Twelve scrapbooks of Cradock-related press cuttings including printed articles and food images, including letters, photographs, invitations, etc., 1940-80s

Photographs
c.380 loose press and personal photographs, some with notes by Fanny Cradock on the reverse, together a photograph album containing c.50 holiday photographs of  Fanny and Johnnie Cradock and others, and also five framed photographs including one showing Fanny and Johnnie in their garden, and one inscribed photograph of Douglas Fairbanks Jnr and family, 1940s-80s

Menus
c.200 menus, bills or restaurant cards comprising souvenirs from the Cradocks' visits to establishments in Britain, France, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, etc. A few include handwritten notes and comments from Fanny Cradock, 1950s-80s.