Rattigan (Terence, playwright, 1911-77) 16 Autograph Letters signed to his close friend, the stage-designer and director William Chappell, together c.80pp. and 8 envelopes, v.s., 1960s-70s, discussing his life in the US "New York is even gayer than it was last year and Mrs Rat [a nickname for himself] was the toast of the town", his lover "The Midget" [Michael Franklin] "the Midget, low, is very pathetic, but he's still a fucking little liar, and a maker of bad blood when he can", positive reception for his Goodbye Mr Chips screenplay "The new president of MGM has had an orgasm carefully recorded in an endless telegram", writing and casting plays, his time at a health farm, his deteriorating health, folds, some creasing.

⁂ "Well here I am, ducky, lying on a chaise longue with a pair of sky blue shorts revealing intoxicating glimpses of bronzed thigh to passers by and with my love bottles bared to the public view..."

A wonderful archive of letters, many in Rattigan's characteristically amusing, gossipy style. During the decade this correspondence covers, Rattigan reveals his many-sided personality, ranging from extremely funny to rather poignant as he faces his own impending death.