LILI ST. CYR - AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED 09/15/1987 - HFSID 311908

LILI ST. CYR
Handwritten letter to an admirer, on personalized stationery bearing her image, offering a price on a color nude ("sensational pose") from the estate of glamor photographer Bruno Bernard. "I'm informing you before anyone else because of your interest in lovely nudes."
Autograph Letter signed: "Lili", 2 pages (front and verso), 8½x11. No place, 1987 September 15. To James Keenan, Throgg's Neck, New York, in full: "A beautiful color nude is now available 8x10, sensational pose, $20. This is from Bernard's estate, and I'm informing you before anyone else, because of your interest in lovely nudes. We haven't been in touch this year. I hope all is well with you? There is great excitement here today because of the arrival of the Pope - Hoping to hear from you soon, Always". Accompanied by original mailing envelope addressed in her hand.Lili St. Cyr (1918-1999), born Willis Marie Van Schaak, was a ballet dancer and chorus girl before discovering that she could make much more money taking off her clothes in an artful way. As Lili St. Cyr, a name she first used in a Las Vegas show, St. Cyr rivaled Gypsy Rose Lee as the most famous stripper of the 1940s and fifties. Creative shows, starting with her renowned "Flying G," were second only to her beauty as a key to success. With the help of Howard Hughes, St. Cyr broke into film, with appearances including Son of Sinbad (1955) and The Naked and the Dead (1958). A hugely popular pin-up, she also marketed a lingerie line which included "Scantie-Panties". St. Cyr was married six times, but had no children. The "Bernard" of this letter was Bruno Bernard, a famed glamour photographer who called Lili his favorite model. Her reference to the Pope here is perhaps intended humorously, considering her well-publicized clashes with the Catholic clergy. Indicted in Montreal for "immoral and obscene" behavior, she was acquitted by a jury who decided her performances were indeed art. Marilyn Monroe reportedly modeled her style and appearance on Lili St. Cyr. Normal mailing folds. Small crease on top margin. Corners on envelope lightly worn. Envelope lightly soiled. Fine condition on both items.