LAUDER ESTÉE: (1908-2004) American businesswoman, co-founder of her eponymous cosmetics company with her husband. An extremely rare T.L.S., Estée and Joseph Lauder, also signing on behalf of her husband, one page, 4to, Paris, 12th August 1971, to Françcois-Didier Gregh in Monaco, on the printed stationery of Estée Lauder. Lauder announces ´The evening of the Red Cross Gala has been splendid for us, thanks in great part to our being able to spend it in your company´, and continues to express appreciation for having been invited to sit at Gregh´s table (´it made the event doubly delightful´) before adding ´Everything about the Gala was so beautifully organized and so very enjoyable. We know it has been a tremendous success´. Autographs of Lauder in any form, despite her long life and the correspondence she must have engaged in, are extremely rare and desirable. With a couple of blue ink annotations and one small tear to the upper edge, otherwise VG

Françcois-Didier Gregh (1906-1992) Monegasque politician who served as Minister of State of Monaco 1969-72.

The 1971 Monaco Red Cross Gala was a major highlight of the principality´s social calendar, occurring during the ´Golden Era´when Princess Grace presided over the event. Held at the Sporting d'Été (Summer Sporting Club) in Monte Carlo on 6th August 1971, the evening was presented by English actor James Mason and the headline performer was singer Shirley Bassey.