17

Heiress of the Woolworth fortune, dubbed "poor little rich girl"

Barbara Hutton

Small archive of 8 Letters Signed and an Autograph Manuscript, to her attorney Graham Mattison or "Professor Hadorn."

The letters, including 2 ALsS and 6 TLsS, "Barbara," "Barbara H. Troubetzkoi," "Barbara Troubetzkoi," or "B. Troubetzkoi," granting certain legal authority to Mattison, authorizing Dr. Hadorn to furnish medical information to Mattison, requesting that payments or property transfers be made to various recipients, and requesting advice on obtaining a divorce. The manuscript, unsigned, a draft of a portion of her will. 7 pages. Together 16 pages, 4to or 8vo, personal or hotel stationery; generally good condition.

Vp, 3 Aug; 12 Nov 1950 (3); 25 Jan 1955; 9 Jun 1956; 8 Jul 1959; 12 Jul 1966; Np, nd.

  • Notes: 12 November 1950, to "Dear Professor [Walter] Hadorn": ". . . This letter will request and authorize you to furnish Mr. Graham D. Mattison . . . to receive from you a copy of any written consultation you gave me in 1947 or 1948 regarding my health and the subsequent operation . . . ."

    8 July 1959: "As you know, Sister is retiring. I have given her a cheque for $30,000. to buy a home in London ["Sister" is likely a servant. Hutton had no siblings, and her sister-in-law likely needed no money].
    "Will you be kind enough to arrange a monthly payment of $500.00, commending this month, to be sent to the credit of her account . . . ."


    3 August circa 1951: "Enclosed is a copy of Igor's letter [present], which he handed to Ticki as she was leaving for the train . . . . I had already left The Ritz . . . .
    "As you can see, the letter makes no sense, unless he is trying to prove that I deserted him. Also, the scene that occurred was with me--not Henri--as Igor ordered Henri to leave the room several times at first.
    "Binks [Reginald Arthur] Hopwood tells me that I can get a divorce here very easily, in about 6 weeks time--with no publicity at all. Especially as this is my legal domicile, it ought to be a good idea for Igor is domiciled here too, since a year ago. What do you think? . . ."

    12 July 1966, ALS, in red ink: "Please will you give to my husband Tiane [Prince Pierre Raymond Doan Vinh Na Champassak (1916-1990)]--who is far kinder to me than all my husbands put together(!) the sum of 2 million dollars, directly and with out strings attached, and send the money directly to Marcel Odier & Co., Geneva. I would also like him to have Combere in Tangiers. In this way I shall be much happier and so will Tiane. . . . Once this is done the trust can remain intact as always, and my will also! So you see darling, do you not, that all of us will be much happier indeed!"


    Manuscript, nd: ". . . To my son Lance, my gold boxes, Fabergé animals, my gold horses heads by Haseltine, my 2 strings of pink Oriental pearls, my small pink pearl ring (Oriental), my 2 pairs of pink Oriental pearl earrings, my four leaf clover diamond brooch and my yellow diamond ring & emerald earrings. These things he has the right to loan to his wife only during her lifetime & at his death they must return to his estate. In case of divorce they must be returned then. The rest of my jewelry is to be sold. . . ."


    With--Two typed letters: copy of a letter to her dated July 29, 1950, on her stationery, from her husband Igor Troubetzkoy, in French, explaining that he could not see her off to Tangier because of a "regrettable incident that took place yesterday between Monsieur de la Tour d'Auvergne" and Troubetzkoy * Copy of a typed letter from her bearing likely secretarial signature, "Barbara," to Mattison, naming him executor of her will. Each 1 page, 8vo. Np, nd; New York, 11 April 1956.
  • Condition:
    Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

November 6, 2025 12:00 PM EST
New York, NY, US

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
27.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
22.00%
$1,000,001+:
12.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000