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Actress Rita Hayworth (Margarita Carmen Cansino), 1918-1987, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Over the course of her career, she appeared in over 60 movies, most famously
Hayworth married actor/director Orson Welles, 1915-1985, on September 7, 1943. Following a short honeymoon Welles returned to New York City to pursue his career and awaited Rita's arrival there once her film commitment at Columbia Pictures was completed.
Hayworth and Welles had one daughter, Rebecca. Hayworth divorced Welles in 1948.
Consists primarily of letters to Rita Hayworth from her new husband, Orson Welles. Most of the letters are from New York. Several are illustrated by Welles in watercolor and pen, and all contain the loving sentiments of a new husband missing his bride.
Other correspondents include Hayworth's brother, Vernon Cansino, Hortense Hill, Mercedes Jimenez and Bill Stern. Accompanying the letters is Hayworth's membership card for the National Automobile Club and an undated inscribed photograph of Welles. All of the correspondence was found in the upper compartment of Hayworth's makeup case, which is also present in the collection.
The case is a dark brown box with a brown suede protective cover and a brass plaque bearing Hayworth's name. Inside are monogrammed makeup jars containing original portions of powder and cosmetic cream, a tin Midol box, a comb, and other personal items such as hairpins.
The collection is organized into the following series: I. Correspondence; II. Miscellaneous Items; III. Makeup Case
Purchase. 2006
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[Item], Hayworth mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Telegram and envelope.
4 p. in pencil. Date from accompanying envelope.
2 p. in black ink.
4 p. in black ink with double heart sketch in red water color. Date from accompanying envelope.
4 p. in black ink. Includes enclosure: "affidavit" by Leonard Lyons, Oct. 25, 1943. 1 p. in pencil. Witnessed by Walter Winchell.
6 p. in pencil. Includes enclosure and accompanying envelope.
Telegram, unsigned.
3 p. in black ink with water color sketch: "Another self-portrait of self-pity." Date from accompanying envelope.
6 p. in black pen.
2 p. in pencil. Date from accompanying envelope.
6 p. in black pen. Date from accompanying envelope.
1 p. Date from accompanying envelope.
Telegram, unsigned.
1 p. Spanish, in black pen.
Gift tag for flowers with envelope.
Telegram [before Nov. 5].
2 p.
Gift tag with envelope.
Ink and wash sketch. 1 p.
Gift tag for flowers with envelope.
Gift tag for flowers with envelope.
Envelope only.
Brown suede case cover; brass plaque with Hayworth's name on top of case. "John Frederics – Made to Order" tag in upper level, left panel.