| Description | Includes letters of a personal nature concerning primarily Nicolson and Vertova's relationship, in particular - given Nicolson's preference for same sex relationships - discussion about the physical element and whether they should get married. Also concern a visit to Sweden made by Nicolson together with Eardley Knollys, Raymond Mortimer, Eddy Sackville-West, Desmond Shawe-Taylor; Pat Trevor-Roper and Jimmy Smith.
Of particular note:
-letter, dated 11 January 1954, concerning sexual relationships in their proposed marriage with Nicolson relating an incident where he spent an evening in a Belgian nightclub with the Philip and Sally Toynbee during which he met a girl who 'disturbed me quite a lot!' and suggesting that he is therefore capable of 'heterosexual desires'. Also mentions that Sally Toynbee kissed a lesbian and that the most interesting about the evening was his 'sexual normality and Sally's abnormality'. Also mentions equality in marriage; a recent visit to Amsterdam and Brussels viewing exhibitions; and art - including the 'Dresden pictures' in Russia.
-letter, dated 18 January 1954, in which Nicolson lists his vices; writes about work he might undertake for Lord Methuen regarding portfolios in the Corsham collection and mentions Derek Hill
-letter, dated 31 January, concerning a scandal with Rothenstein and the Tate Gallery
-letter, dated 15 February 1954, concerning Wayland Hylton-Young; Cyril and Barbara Connolly
-letter, dated 22 February 1954, concerning Toynbee's book 'Friends Apart'
-letter, dated 8 March 1954, retelling the story of Philip Toynbee and Richard and Anne Wollheim's relationships
-letter, dated 16 March 1954, concerning Nicolson's relationship with his mother [Vita Sackville-West]; and social class in the UK
-letter, dated 29 March 1954, concerning Nigel Nicolson and, amongst other things, his relationship with his mother [Vita Sackville-West]
-letter, dated 12 April 1954, in which Nicolson proposes they live together prior to getting married so that they can determine if they are sexually compatible
-letter, dated 20 April 1954, in which Nicolson writes about Beaumont Street and his friendship with Jeremy Hutchinson
-letter, dated 27 April 1954, in which Nicolson writes about Kenneth and Jane Clark
-letter, dated 26 May 1954, concerning Nicolson's purchase of a work by Terbrugghen and other pictures in his collection. Also concerns a visit to stay with Philippa and Nigel [Nicolson]
-two letters, dated 2 & 8 June 1954, in which Nicolson writes about a trip to Paris in which he needs to sell advertising space in the Burlington to art dealers and the iniquities of the art trade
-letter, dated 14 June 1954, concerning 'organised cosmopolitanism' and Brian Howard
-letters, dated 1 & 19 July 1954, concerning a visit to Scandanavia (Sweden, Denmark and Norway) with the 'Crichel Quartet'; recalls viewing an eclipse in Sweden. Also includes a black and white photograph of Philip and Sally Toynbee with Nicolson in Copenhagen
-two letters, dated 18 October & 9 November, concerning Vertova's visit to the US as a Fullbright scholar; the idea for an article in the Burlington concerning the American art world (practice in museums; art historical training etc.); impressions of America and the American character. Also concerns a controversy at Tate and a fight between Douglas Cooper and John Rothenstein
Also includes a note concerning the family history of Alfreda Urquhart/Huntington.
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