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The Golden Age of Hollywood
Lot 223
A Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor gifted engraved wrist watch with letters and photographs
14 May 2019, 13:00 PDT
Los AngelesUS$2,000 - US$3,000
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A Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor gifted engraved wrist watch with letters and photographs
Comprising a 14 karat gold and diamond wristwatch, the oval dial with Roman numerals and framed by 32 round diamonds approximately 0.60 carat, gross weight 32 grams, length 6.5 in., manual movement, inscribed, "Robbie / With our appreciation / and good wishes / Elizabeth and Richard / Burton." Together with 1 Autograph Letter Signed ("Richard B."), 4 pp recto, 4to, Geneva, Switzerland, July 20, 1974, and 1 Typed Letter Signed ("Richard"), 2 pp recto and verso, 8vo, New York, June 23, 1974, on Plaza Hotel stationery, to Loretta Robertson, with one original autograph transmittal envelope. Loretta Robertson became friends with Richard Burton when her mother, nicknamed Robbie, became his private nurse during his extended stay in the hospital to abstain from alcohol. Robbie had previously been a caregiver to Elizabeth Taylor's mother, Sara, and was gifted this wrist watch by Taylor and Burton as a token of their love and appreciation. Loretta drove her mother to the hospital every day and thus was able to spend time and get to know Burton during his hospital stay. Together they shared a warm, albeit brief, friendship. Burton's letters to Loretta are playful and funny and full of private jokes; she was 22 years old and he enjoyed teasing her. His beautifully written missives are also honest and forthcoming when he writes: "I miss you more than alcohol which I am still sternly eschewing." Together with a 1 p typed note to Loretta's mother thanking her for caring for Sara Taylor; an 8 x 10 in. signed photo of Burton inscribed, "Robbie! / You are the worst nurse / I've ever known! I / wouldn't take anybody / else though. / Much love / Richard B."; 4 personal snapshots of Burton alone and with Robbie and Loretta; an appraisal of the wrist watch dated December 30, 1971; and a 2 pp typed document chronicling the consignor's story of the lovely experience of getting to know a side of Richard Burton to which few people were privy.
9 x 12 x 3 in.
9 x 12 x 3 in.




















