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Collection of six ALSs from Jeff Beck, each signed “Jeff” or “JB,” one page, postmarked between 1995 and 1996, all addressed to Toni Capuano. The handwritten letters, penned during a period of relative quiet for Beck, reveal a candid, possibly romantic relationship marked by longing, secrecy, and the demands of his mid-’90s career. The letters, in full:
June 1995 - “I hope you are better now. The last time we spoke, you sounded very down. I had food poisoning for about two weeks, which threw my plans out of the window. I hope also that you had a happy Thanksgiving. I know it's really a big celebration over there. Please write soon and send a picture (without me!) in it. I'm catching up on work after being sick and hope to be over soon. Here's some pretty bad photos of me trying to stay on a horse! Take care. Bye for now.” Beck adds two postscripts: “P.S. I was invited to stay with friends about two miles away from where you live (for Thanksgiving) but could not go. P.S. Thanks for the photo you sent. Xx.” Includes three color glossy 6 x 4 candid photos of Beck on horseback, annotated on the reverse, "Colorado '95."
April 30th 1996 - “Sorry I took so long to write, but things have been chaotic over here. I loved your letter especially the tearing off of clothes bit. Tony, I think my mail is being tampered with so it would be better to address it to the London one. I can't be sure but it would make sure only I read the letters. I hope you have had no more horrible experiences! and that you are well. Send a picture of yourself and I'll send an eye and lips shot!” Beck adds a postscript: “P.S. I'm definitely coming to U.S. soon. I'll call you soon about it. Xx.”
June 27th 1996 - “Thank you so much for the really nice present that you sent me. Unfortunately the summer here is really disappointing so I haven't had a chance to test it yet! Those photos are beautiful but it's difficult for me to look at them if you know what I mean. You're in my thoughts anyway and to suddenly see a photo. I've been working 16 - 18 hours a day so have just about run myself into the ground. I'll be going to L.A. in July to start my new band project. I'll write again soon. I hope you will too.” On the reverse of the page, Beck writes "love you.”
August 8th, 1996 - “Sorry, I haven't been in touch for a while, although I have called a few times. I have been completely snowed under with work, trying to get my new material finished. I hope you haven't forgotten me! I'll call you this week for sure. I must finish as I am in a post office! I miss you.”
August 1996 - “Please forgive my silence. It's been very difficult to make contact with you given the situation. My phone book has had your number scribbled out so violently that the pen cut through three pages. My mail is also being monitored and otherwise tampered with. In any case, I'm still missing you a whole lot. I hope you're doing fine. Bill was in London recently, but I didn't think it would be too cool to ask him for your number. Please write soon to Hereford Rd address. Love and everything else.”
September 1996 - “I am staying in London this Sunday night. I will call you from there when I will explain what's been happening. I hope you will be able to receive the call in private. If you need to call me back, I'll let you have their number. I hope I have not upset you too much however I quite understand everything you say in your letter. Love the photos! Lots of love. Speak to you Sun 8pm U.S. time.”
Included with the letters is a colorized 10.25 x 13.5 photo of Jeff Beck posing with his guitar, the reverse bearing an affixed Post-It note with ANS signed “JB, xxx,” which reads: “Sorry this is the only close-up I could find! Lots of love.” In overall fine condition.
Accompanied by a collection of Jeff Beck tour materials spanning 1995-2015, featuring itinerary books for his 1995 and 1999 USA tours; a sheet of four tickets for a Beck concert at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida, on May 7, 2011, with four unused guest passes; two tickets for a Beck and ZZ Top concert at the MidFlorida Amphitheatre on May 7, 2015; and three additional guest passes. The original hand-addressed mailing envelopes for the letters are included (two of which incorporate Beck’s signature on the reverse), as are four guitar magazines with Beck on the cover, dated between 1980 and 1991.
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