B46610 – George Harrison 1971 Handwritten Letter To Pattie Boyd Pattie Boyd Collection (USA) – £Price On Request

A two page letter in black ink on Plaza Hotel letterhead paper. It is in the hand of George Harrison and was sent to Pattie Boyd on 1st November 1971. The letter, written over four sides, was sent by George after his arrival in New York to work on the ‘Concert For Bangladesh’ album and film. He had travelled to the city from France onboard the S.S. France ocean liner in October 1971.

In the letter George describes his journey aboard The S. S. France as being not as good as the QE2 writing: ‘More straights in Tuxedos and not as many things to do, I read a lot in the cabin.’ He discusses editing the ‘Concert for Bangladesh’ for television, he mentions that Bob [Dylan] would be coming to look at his part in the film and that Ravi will arrive later on the same day to look at his performance in the film. George goes on to complain of a wrangle over the cover artwork for the album box set ‘The Concert for Bangladesh’, with Harrison resolute in his preference for a haunting photo of a malnourished child on the front and jokes that the delay has brought about the near simultaneous release of Ravi Shankar’s ‘Raga’, ‘The Concert for Bangladesh’ and Paul McCartney’s ‘Wild Life’ all coming in the same month!

The letter has been transcribed exactly how George has written it. We have retained all of George’s grammatical errors and incorrect usage of capital letters, it reads as follows:

‘(212) PL 9.3000 ROOM 601

Monday Evening

Dear Pattie,
Hello, Hope you are O.K. I tried to call you when I got here but there was no Greg in the Lodge – can you call me through Apple at ABKCO or the Plaza to say hello to Hubby! It’s a drag not being able to speak to you. You can call ABKCO and tell them a time, and I’ll call the Lodge.
The ‘France’ was not as good as QE2 more straights in Tuxedos and not as many things to do, so I read a lot in the cabin.
Started looking at the film and it should be O.K. for a T.V. show – but a lot of Juggling to do – to get what I would like. The camera men were not too hip on the Rock part – but Ravi’s part seems well covered. Ravi is gong to be at the Plaza on Wednesday – so I am going to try and get a Rough Cut together by then – so he can tell me where to edit the music – as it should be reduced for T.V, as 15 minutes should be enough for the Film. We have to get the film to about 54 minutes total, for an Hour show. Neil and I are going to work now (tonight) so as to get it started. Bob is coming in the Morning, so we will have to work on his part tomorrow day, and then Ravi’s again in the evening, and it will save us time if Ravi has something to see before he leaves town, and his Bit is too hard to edit without him (the sound track).
Saw a great wash basin in a window – full size white with blue flowers but with just one Tap in the centre – havent been back when its open (the shop) but will get it, if its there, not too much, when I go back. Here are youre (sic) shoes – hope they are O.K. Don’t I write crazy!!! Very fast before Ringo goes to the Airport – What have you been doing? Hope you’re O.K I miss you – I’m starving – many grilled cheese sandwiches – Love you – Call me or tell me when I can call you at the Lodge.
Do you need anything from N.Y. cos I will go shopping for a day or 2. Still haven’t been to Lill Nassau’s but I passed her window one night and there is some great stuff – Hope I can get the Bed Piece Without spending to much bread in there. Saw a good shop with Indian fabric + cushions etc. which is what I want for my room 206 Are there shops in London with that stuff, as the cushions are so nig it would be daft to carry them home – but I can. What do you think? The Electric Yo-Yo’s are for Paul and Janet (after you finish playing with them.)
Eddie Veal was funny in N.Y. with his arm Bands and we took him to the Aceto Bar.
How’s the House? D. Tapp? Any Problems?
How’s Dad? – our Lou is Coming Tomorrow so that’s going to confuse me for a while. Shit!
Has Quinnell done the stairs and rails in 203/4 109 yet?
The Bangla Desh Proof of the Box front with the Guitar, was awful – so I had to jump on that and change it and shout at them and Now it will be O.K. with the original Idea of the Kid – its such a pain in the arse all that messing around – just Because they didnt like the truth any it will be O.K. in the end except we now have RAGA – B/Desh and Paul all coming out in the same month – well I know which will win! (Ha-Ha)
Love you – Love to Ted – Gred – and Kled
George’

The letter comes with two Plaza Hotel envelopes that George has addressed to Pattie at Friar Park in Henley-On-Thames and an Apple New York envelope, postmarked 1st November that has George has also addressed to Pattie.

Provenance: from the collection of Pattie Boyd. Part of lot 9 Christies, The Pattie Boyd Collection, 8th to 22nd March 2024

The Plaza Hotel envelopes measure 19cm x 10cm (7.4 inches x 3.9 inches).
The Apple envelope measures 24cm x 10.5cm (9.4 inches x 4.1 inches).
Each page of the letter measures 18.25cm x 26.6cm (7.2 inches x 10.5 inches).
The condition is excellent.

£PRICE ON REQUEST

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