Vivien Leigh Photo & Stamp w/ Angus McBean Handwritten Letter

This originates from the Don Leigh McCulty collection. Back in the day, McCulty was the Vivien Leigh fan club president and archivist. Being the fan club president had its perks, as he was closely connected to her friends (movie stars, photographers) and family.

McCulty’s collection is extensive and supported in provenance by his frequent letters of correspondence with those in Vivien’s inner circle It should be noted that McCulty was particularly fond of rare photographs.

Many of the items in his collection were obtained from famous stage photographer and friend Angus McBean. McBean’s work can be found in many elite photo collections throughout the world. Leigh was his favorite muse and he spent most of his career shooting her portraits.

Because of their close friendship, often, McBean offered McCulty gifts. Beyond the obvious endowing of photography, these gifts included locks of hair and a piece of the Gone with the Wind – Scarlett O’Hara barbecue dress. McBean thanked McCulty in his photography book for supplying some of the images.  It should be noted that John Vickers, one of McBean’s prodigies, also gifted McCulty many original photos

From the McCulty collection, presented is an original Vivien Leigh 8×10 black and white photo. It features an Angus McBean (photographer) stamp on the back as well as pencil markings.

Included with the photo is a handwritten letter from McBean to the recipient with a stamp, a promotional card for the McBean book and a signed McBean postcard.

This photo was also featured in the preface of the book, “A Love Affair in Camera” by Angus McBean.

With the caption, “My favourite picture of Vivien, taken in 1937 and used as part of her campaign to play Scarlett in Gone with the Wind. This was used on a postage stamp in 1985 to celebrate British Film Year.“