Letter from Frances Hodgkins to Ree Gorer
Date
24 Dec 1937
See transcription
Catalogue number
FHL258
Date
24 Dec 1937
Transcript
Worth Matravers Dorset Christmas Eve 1937
Cheers! Dearest Rée the great Chair has come timed to perfection for Christmas Eve. Towards 10 o’c by Southern Railway, just as I was off to bed. Thick fog outside. I opened the door to see what looked like a box as large as a cottage attempting to get into my Cottage & finding it the very deuce of a job.
It got in. The man said the roads were awful which caused delay in getting here.
Today I unpacked it – no Her – my dearly loved Cinderella has turned into a beauteous Princess clad in dove coloured velvet.
Like the Prince I was transfixed & have remained so all day. In fact we have spent almost the entire day together in each other’s arms so to say in front of the fire. It is a chair in which to dream. Oh! Much more than that. A support, a tonic, a prop, a very real succour which cuts down through everything to ones very soul. Say – like a good picture. It has magic qualities. It makes one think, for instance, that some of my worst duds may be finished pictures one day. Best of all it has raised me to a level of feeling well & happy. It is the most completely satisfying gift I have ever had & when I am sick of the sight of everything else I shall love my chair which will be warm & comfortable even if it stands in an icy draught.
It looks good & right & dignified in this little room where not so long ago the small window was lit with oil candles & a horn lantern.
The draughts still remain.
All my thanks & here is my love & my Salutations for 1938 wherever you are. Frances
Have you seen the chair I wonder. It is really a lovely shade of warm grey and as near new as no matter a very good piece of work.
Cheers! Dearest Rée the great Chair has come timed to perfection for Christmas Eve. Towards 10 o’c by Southern Railway, just as I was off to bed. Thick fog outside. I opened the door to see what looked like a box as large as a cottage attempting to get into my Cottage & finding it the very deuce of a job.
It got in. The man said the roads were awful which caused delay in getting here.
Today I unpacked it – no Her – my dearly loved Cinderella has turned into a beauteous Princess clad in dove coloured velvet.
Like the Prince I was transfixed & have remained so all day. In fact we have spent almost the entire day together in each other’s arms so to say in front of the fire. It is a chair in which to dream. Oh! Much more than that. A support, a tonic, a prop, a very real succour which cuts down through everything to ones very soul. Say – like a good picture. It has magic qualities. It makes one think, for instance, that some of my worst duds may be finished pictures one day. Best of all it has raised me to a level of feeling well & happy. It is the most completely satisfying gift I have ever had & when I am sick of the sight of everything else I shall love my chair which will be warm & comfortable even if it stands in an icy draught.
It looks good & right & dignified in this little room where not so long ago the small window was lit with oil candles & a horn lantern.
The draughts still remain.
All my thanks & here is my love & my Salutations for 1938 wherever you are. Frances
Have you seen the chair I wonder. It is really a lovely shade of warm grey and as near new as no matter a very good piece of work.
Sender's address
Worth Matravers, Dorset
Credit Line
E
H
McCormick
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