Robert Taylor and Ginger Rogers ca. 1939
This undated, handwritten note is thoroughly enigmatic. I would guess that it is before World War II, maybe in the late thirties. Mr. Taylor and Ms. Rogers dated in the early thirties but probably only because MGM wanted him to be seen as a man about town, squiring numerous ladies. (Victoria Wilson, A Life of Barbara Stanwyck, NY, Simon & Schuster, 2013, page 480). This is the only picture of them together that I have found.
Robert Taylo
r (letterhead)
Dear Ginger,
From all reports the party Saturday night was a wonderful one. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for being even partially the cause of your missing it.
You do understand, of course, the reasons responsible for my sudden reversal—and I hope you will forgive me if I was rude or thoughtless.
Fondly,
Bob (signature)
This letter was part of exhibition called “Ginger Rogers’ Century: A Retrospective of Her Life and Career” held at Boston University [my alma mater] in 2011. Angela Lansbury opened the exhibition.
Ginger Rogers’ Century contains letters, memorabilia and documents from the personal collection of this Academy Award-winning American actress. Rogers began singing and dancing as a child and as a teenager performed in a touring Vaudeville act before making her Broadway debut in 1929. She made her first motion picture in 1930 and eventually starred in 73 movies and many shows on stage. Unique childhood photos of Rogers and her family are displayed, as well as photos, contracts and memorabilia from her Vaudeville and early Broadway work. (Boston University Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center)
The following is a caricature by Mexican painter and illustrator Miguel Covarrubias, published in 1953 in Vanity Fair. The people are (left to right): Benny Goodman, Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Orson Welles, Robert Taylor, Lily Pons, Salvador Dali, Alfred Lunt, Lynn Fontaine
.Lastly,
on the subject of enigmatic handwritten enigmatic letters, is a short note written by Mr. Taylor at an unknown date: The text says: Robert Taylor (letterhead). Thanx Honey–Real Good–almost Makes me Like Myself. (signed) Robert (?) If anyone knows anything about this, I’d love to hear it.
Robert Taylor Actor 