| Description | Includes correspondence of a personal nature. Earlier letters largely concern the day-to-day activities and movements of Nicolson and his brother during the Second War; and the impact of their upbringing and the nature of their relationships with their parents [Vita Sackville-West & Harold Nicolson]. Letters from 1962 onwards concern the valuation and settlement of Vita Sackville-West's estate, following her death and include copy letters sent by Nigel Nicolson to Nicolson. They discuss individual items of property (works of art, jewellery, manuscripts etc.) alongside property and cash. Letters also include discussion of plans to transfer Sissinghurst to the National Trust in lieu of tax, and financial arrangements following the separation of Nicolson from Luisa Vertova. Letters also concern Nigel Nicolson's work on, and publication of, his father's diaries. Letters dated after May 1968 concern the valuation and settlement of Harold Nicolson's estate following his death.
Letters dated after c1969 concern inheritance received from their parents (including royalties, land, works of art etc.); respective work; publications of interest; arrangements to meet & mutual friends & family.
Of particular note:
-letter, dated 20 January 1937, concerning Nicolson's thoughts about fakes and copies prompted by the 'Batoni controversy'
-letter, dated 1 January 1938, concerning a relationship between James [Pope-Hennessy] and John Sparrow
-letter, dated 12 January [1940] concerning similarities between Nicolson and James Pope-Hennessy
-letter, dated 29 November 1940, concerning the Nigel Nicolson's state of mind, Nicolson's ambition to be a writer and their respective desire not to disappoint their parents
-letter, dated 12 January 1941, concerning Nicolson's desire not to be posted abroad during the Second World War, and his relationship with his mother [Vita Sackville-West]
-letter, dated 8 September [1941], concerning the underlying purpose and aims of the Second World War
-letter, dated 29 January 1966, concerning Nigel Nicolson's plans to write about book about his parents [Vita Sackville-West & Harold Nicolson]
-letter, dated 10 May 1966, concerning the publication of Harold Nicolson's diaries and references to his sexuality
-letter, dated 17 October 1966, concerning arrangements for Harold Nicolson's birthday celebrations and whether the guest list should include previous lovers/sexual partners
-letter, dated 13 September 1967, from Nigel Nicolson to Nicolson concerning a four month tour of various countries, accompanied by Kit MacDonald and Ian Graham, taking photographs for a book
-letter, dated 1 February 1970, concerning their appearance in the BBC Omnibus documentary 'A night's darkness, a day's sail'
-letter, dated 7 April 1970, concerning Nigel's divorce from Philippa and her subsequent marriage
-letter, dated 3 July [c1976], concerning a visit to see Violet Trefusis in bed at Claridge's
-letter, dated 13 July 1977, concerning tributes to Nicolson following his 30 years as editor of the Burlington Magazine
Also includes:
-three letters, dated April 1966, from David Talbot-Rice, Bickham Surat Scott and Christopher, concerning Robert Byron's death
-two letters, dated July 1966, from Laura Grimond and Barbara Agar, concerning David Wallace's grave |