Weekend Reading 17: Dear Charles... Millicent Rogers and Charles James A Love Story of Sorts

Weekend reading for you from RARE vintage.  Read on...

Dear Charles,

In answer to your various letters, I do think yours suddenly is a queer way of acting.  A while back when you needed money in Europe I sent it to you in exchange for a suit the whole of which I finally got a year later. 

Millicent 

Dearest, dearest Millicent,

In this, I have entirely forgotten or struck out of mind all the dealings which went to make up the total of of 6,000 in Bill A.   I have simply arranged a gift to the Museum for the sum of 6,000, which is entirely payable out of your untaxed income  and should NOT cost you more then 1,000, and therefore saves you between four and five grand." 

Charles

Dear Charles,

What is all this business of saying I promised you $10,000 on delivery... If you are going to double your clients accounts, you are not going to have long.  I can tell you, you are being very unwise.

Millicent

Dearest, dearest Millicent,

...when you came into my house everyone at once knew what to do, and how to do it.  And that special quality of bringing out people's work at its best was what gave you a special rating.  NOW about business.  I have your bill in front of me.

Charles

Dear Charles,

The cinnamon coat has arrived and - it has no pockets!

Millicent

Dearest, dearest Millicent,

Already in life you've given more happiness then you have perhaps received and there is a credit balance due you.  Physically in looks and shape you are at a peak.  Last year you were raddled and now you seem to have lost ten years.

Charles

Dear Charles,

I'll do it this time for you, my love - but you know how I loathe other people wearing my clothes and the way I feel about them afterward.

Millicent

Dearest, dearest Millicent,

You know as well as I do how terribly life seems to shorten itself, and all of a sudden one just isn't in the same age bracket at all.  And Lord knows we don't have a second chance that we clearly know about.   don't think I ever realized acutely till I was forty how LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT EVERY DAY.

Charles

Excerpts from Searching for Beauty The Life of Millicent Rogers by Cherie Burns.  I insist that you order it right now.

All photos from the Met Museum's collection of Charles James gift of Millicent Rogers.