TLS, one page, 7.25 x 10.25, Yacht Sirocco letterhead, July 18, 1941. A lengthy letter to Dr. Herman F. Erben, ostensibly the man who persuaded him to work for the Gestapo. In part: “Dear old boy; It was wonderful hearing from you and that was one of the most interesting letters I have ever read in my life. I still hope that I will be able to get over there and join you some day…My son and heir arrived safely, a bouncing baby boy. He looks like nobody in the family except possibly my sister. He has peculiar ears which won’t do him any good, they look like mine. I am working very hard on trying to get a syndicate of newspapers in the East to appoint me their representative in Shanghai in which case I will get a diplomatic passport and be able to join you there. The syndicate is more than willing, but unfortunately, my nationality comes into the questions as I am still British. Life goes on much as usual. I am working on a picture, my wife is mad at me and my personal habits have not changed any, particularly in regard to our joint hobbies. Let me know all the news over there. That was quite extraordinary about those goods you spoke of which came from Australia in a tramp ship. It is sad to think that you won’t be able to come back to this country soon, but I have a feeling that sooner or later when all of this mess is over you will be able to.” In fine condition. Erben is famously rumored to have recruited Errol Flynn as a spy for the Gestapo. This allegation was made in Charles Higham's 1980 biography of Flynn, Errol Flynn - The Untold Story. Flynn made reference to Erben in his own autobiography (though he gave him the pseudonym Gerrit Koets). PSA/DNA COA and R&R COA.
