A 2pp autograph letter signed by legendary actress Katharine Hepburn (1907-2003) as "Kate" at the conclusion. N.d., n.p. but the postmark of the original transmittal envelope indicates December 30, 1969, New York, New York. Inscribed in black felt tip pen on the outermost sides of a custom card embossed in red as "Katharine Houghton Hepburn" at the top. The inner pages are blank. Expected wear including isolated foxing confined mostly to the inner pages, else near fine. Folded, measures 6.5" x 4.375." Hepburn has also partially engrossed the envelope with her correspondents' names, "Mr + Mrs Mario Fratti." The envelope bears a cancelled stamp and is neatly letter-opened verso.

Hepburn wrote this thank-you letter to Laura Dubman Fratti (ca. 1925-1993) in acknowledgment of congratulatory gifts sent to the actress shortly after the Broadway premiere of her latest vehicle, the unexpected musical "Coco," loosely based on the life of French fashion designer Coco Chanel.

Hepburn wrote in full:

"Dear Laura - I love all my presents - my opening chicken wire was a delight. I was so numb that I couldn't react -

Now the cake and book - You are an angel - And you + Mario were so satisfactory on the opening - What a real tie is sympatico of heart + mind - That's what I feel for you and Valentina's Laurie - Bellissima -

love -

Kate."

"Coco" had opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on Broadway just two weeks earlier, on December 18, 1969. With music by André Previn, lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, elaborate sets and costumes by Cecil Beaton, and Hepburn in the starring role, the musical proved incredibly popular to audiences, if not to critics. "Coco" ran for 40 previews and 329 performances before closing in New York in early October 1970. From January to June 1971, the show went on a national tour. The cast and crew collected seven Tony Award nominations for the production, including Hepburn's nomination as Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.

Dubman was a classically trained concert pianist who had given Hepburn expert musical instruction during the production of the MGM romantic drama "Song of Love" (1947) some 20 years earlier. Then, as now, Hepburn took the musical aspects of her roles extremely seriously. Just as she had studied and practiced before portraying Clara Schumann in "Song of Love," Hepburn received vocal coaching for nearly two weeks before "Coco" rehearsals began in September 1969. Hepburn's friend Laura later married Italian playwright Mario Fratti in 1964, and their only daughter Valentina became Hepburn's goddaughter.

Over Katharine Hepburn's 66-year-long acting career, she would star in dozens of films, television movies, and stage productions. Named the leading female actress of Hollywood Classic Cinema by the American Film Institute, Hepburn also won four Academy Awards (1934's "Morning Glory," 1968's "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," 1969's "The Lion in Winter," and 1982's "On Golden Pond") and racked up eight further Oscar nominations. Hepburn was as comfortable in serious theatrical dramas as she was in screwball comedies or period pieces.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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