Massive archive of correspondence from Fontaine to Rose Mula, consisting of 60 ALSs on various stationery, postcards, and personal note cards, two TLSs, a signed photo, and 26 holiday cards for occasions like Christmas and Valentine’s Day, dating from June 1975 to January 2000, with additional birthday cards extending into 2010; most items are intimately signed “Joan,” with a few signed “JF” and “Joan F.” Also included are some of the original letters to Fontaine, to which she has added various comments, notes, and replies, often quite humorous. One such letter from Mula comments on Gone With the Wind, in part (with Mula’s typed letter in brackets): “[Re Olivia is she actually writing her memoirs] For the last 30 years! [And do you think she really is buried in fan mail?] Unanswered—for the last 30 years…Keep the laffs comin’!” In a lengthy autograph note, Fontaine pens an ‘article’ entitled “School Motto: ‘Oral Sex is Talking About It,’” in part: “We are pleased that you have contacted the Lewinsky School of Linguistics…We recommend you purchase a two-scoop ice cream cone…Next your whole endeavor s to keep the cone from dripping. In order to do this the tongue is gently applied…Yet there is the every-day hum-drum circular motion frequently known as the ‘missionary mastication.’” In another, Fontaine writes, “From the tenor of your letter I suspect you have lied too-sheltered a life and your malady arises from a deep-seated sense of guilt, frustration and disappointment…I suggest the following: Purchase a two-piece red sweat suit and have the message below stenciled on the front: [affixed newspaper clipping: ‘I’m Still A Virgin’]. Drop in, occasionally, at your local singles bar. Soon, I believe, you will be sleeping like a top and with a smile on your face.” In another, she references the characters in the classic film Rebecca: “The Bronxville maid was ‘I’ de Winter. You found Rebecca’s closet. Maxim’s shaving brush—and Mrs. Danvers’ is in the attic.” Many of Fontaine’s letters are affixed to scrapbook pages with photocopies of any other pages affixed to the opposing side. The archive also contains retained copies of Mula’s letters to Fontaine, providing complete context for Fontaine’s letters. In addition, there are candid photos of Mula’s trip to California to visit Fontaine, including a photo of her holding her friend’s Academy Award, as well as photos of Fontaine’s gardens. In overall fine condition. Mula was first introduced to Fontaine as a young girl in 1940, enthralled by her performance on the big screen as Mrs. de Winter in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic Rebecca. It wasn’t, however, until decades later that she got to meet the idol of her childhood in person, when Fontaine arrived in New England in 1975 to star in Cactus Flower at Chateau de Ville, a small theatre chain that Mula managed. The two stuck a remarkable friendship, visiting each other several times, speaking on the phone, and—clearly—exchanging letters. Though she was at first awed to be corresponding with ‘Joan Fontaine! Movie Star!’ Mula soon forgot about Fontaine’s celebrity status and began to think of her as simply Joan, her treasured friend—charming, generous, unpretentious, and hilarious. A superb, one-of-a-kind grouping of correspondence rich with fascinating tidbits, stories, quips, and jokes that provide great insight into Fontaine’s magnetic personality and the inner workings of a close friendship. RR Auction COA.
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