| Description | Includes letters of a personal nature primarily concerned with Nicolson and Vertova's relationship, in particular plans to test their physical intimacy prior to marriage. Also concerns their respective relationships with Berenson.
Of particular note:
-four letters, dated 5 January-20 February, concerning Vertova's stay in New York, people she met and American customs
-letter, dated 15 March, concerning Vertova's return to Italy, work at I Tatti and provision for her leaving
-letter, dated 21 March, concerning Renato Guttuso's paintings and Sylvia Sprigge
-letter, dated 3 April, concerning Vertova's material requirements if the marriage goes ahead
-letter, dated 19 April, chastising Nicolson for publicly announcing the news of their forthcoming marriage
-letter, dated 27 April, concerning Vertova's views on religion and where they might be married
-letter, dated 1 May, concerning the Mille Miglia
-letter, dated 12 May, concerning plans to meet in France to test the physical side of their relationship. Also includes Vertova's response to Nicolson's query about whether she is Jewish
-letter, dated 16 March, concerning Vertova's previous engagement to a Sicilian
Also includes a letter from Jocelyn Baines to Vertova, dated 10 May 1955, concerning Baines' thoughts on the forthcoming marriage of Vertova and Nicolson; and a document containing several paragraphs of text concerning the nature of love, written in French. |