Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1934-1959 (Creation)
Level of description
File
Extent and medium
135 ff.
Placed in melinex sleeves within ringed box at NLW.
Context area
Name of creator
Name of creator
Name of creator
Name of creator
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
One hundred and thirteen letters, cards and telegrams, 1934-1959, from Augustus John to Mavis de Vere Cole (later Mavis Wheeler). They contain personal and family news, including news of their son Tristan, letters of a more intimate nature, instructions regarding paintings and a few letters to Mavis in prison in 1954.
The letters are sent from various locations including his home, Fryern Court, various studios in London and from Provence and Jamaica. Also included are letters from John to A. P. Herbert, 10 September 1954 (f. 132), and to Tony Vivian, September-October 1954 (ff. 133-135), all relating to Mavis' trial. There are sketches by John on ff. 91 verso, 92, and 116 verso, and poems by him on ff. 4, 95-98.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Arranged chronologically at NLW.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
English, some Romani.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Generated finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Photocopies of the letters are NLW, Michael Holroyd (Augustus John) Research Papers, 3/10.
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents.
Note
A Pathé film about John, also featuring Mavis and Tristan, which is referred to by him in a contemporaneous letter (f. 90), may be viewed online at http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=47240.
Note
Preferred citation: NLW MS 24007E.