ROBERT HELPMANN. (1909 - 1986). / SACHEVERELL SITWELL. (1897 - 1988). Two Autograph Letters to Edith Sitwell, 1940s. comprises: ROBERT HELPMANN. (1909 - 1986). Autograph Letter to Edith Sitwell, London, undated, (c. 1940s). An autograph letter, signed, the dancer writing of his disappointed at not being able to direct Edith Sitwell's opera, 1pp., 6 lines, written to one side of a single leaf in blue ink, undated, 'June 15', on printed headed paper with Helpmann's London address, 11 Eaton Square, S.W.1., 'Dearest Edith, Thank you So much I was very proud that it should have come through Australia. I still am so sad I couldn't direct the opera, so glad it went so well. My Devoted love always Bobby'. Sir Robert Murray Helpmann, CBE. was an Australian ballet dancer, actor, director and choreographer. Following his early work in Australia, Robert Helpmann moved to Britain in 1932, where he joined the Vic-Wells Ballet under its creator, Ninette de Valois. Helpmann's workload often required him to dance leads for three performances in one day, and when Frederick Ashton was called up for active service in 1941, Helpmann took on the additional role of choreographer to the company; SACHEVERELL SITWELL. (1897 - 1988). Autograph Letter to Edith Sitwell, St. James' Club, 1949. An autograph letter, signed, from Sacheverell Sitwell to his sister Edith, thanking her for encouraging him with his poetry writings. 1pp., 15 lines, written in black ink, dated 24. ix. 49, with the headed printed address, St. James' Club, Piccadilly, W.1., 'My darling Edith, Just a line to say goodbye and to thank you for the lovely luncheons on Wed: and Thurs: . . . I enjoyed Roy C's, (Roy Campbell), cocktail party and saw to-day's D. Express . . . I shall write more poems when I get home. Your encouragement has done more to help me than anything else- and, in fact, they are only written to try and interest you my darling, Best Love, Sachie'; within a protective clear sleeve, NPG. printed label to front. The National Portrait Gallery Exhibition, The Sitwells: 14/10/94 - 22/1/95, Catalogue No. f49/6.27. Edith Sitwell had detected a poetic nature in her youngest brother's works and continuously encouraged him. Sacheverell never ceased to maintain that he only wrote poetry for Edith's sake. Provenance: The Sitwell Family Library, Weston Hall.