Piaf, Edith. (1915–1963) & Dietrich, Marlene (1901-1992) . Rare 1959 Photograph.
A superb and uncommon original photograph of the two great stars, shown engaged in an intimate discussion on a couch. Taken after Piaf's triumphant return to the stage after a period of illness. Original French press notice affixed to verso, dated 1/21/59. 7 x 5 inches (18 x 13 cm).
German-born actress and singer Marlene Dietrich first met French chanteuse Édith Piaf in the ladies' bathroom of a New York nightclub, in the 1940s. The latter had just come off stage and was upset by the cool and somewhat bemused reaction of the audience. Dietrich - already a huge star in America - was quick to reassure the Little Sparrow and decided to take her under her angel's wing.
With Dietrich's encouragement, Piaf quickly established herself in the US (despite her reluctance to sing in English) and although separated by a fourteen-year age gap and wildly contrasting personalities, it was the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship between the two women. Indeed, we now know that it was rather more than simply a friendship in the platonic sense and that Dietrich regarded Piaf as an honorary member of what she termed the Sewing Circle, the secret group of Hollywood women from which Dietrich allegedly drew several of her lesbian lovers.
Piaf, Edith. (1915–1963) & Dietrich, Marlene (1901-1992) . Rare 1959 Photograph.
A superb and uncommon original photograph of the two great stars, shown engaged in an intimate discussion on a couch. Taken after Piaf's triumphant return to the stage after a period of illness. Original French press notice affixed to verso, dated 1/21/59. 7 x 5 inches (18 x 13 cm).
German-born actress and singer Marlene Dietrich first met French chanteuse Édith Piaf in the ladies' bathroom of a New York nightclub, in the 1940s. The latter had just come off stage and was upset by the cool and somewhat bemused reaction of the audience. Dietrich - already a huge star in America - was quick to reassure the Little Sparrow and decided to take her under her angel's wing.
With Dietrich's encouragement, Piaf quickly established herself in the US (despite her reluctance to sing in English) and although separated by a fourteen-year age gap and wildly contrasting personalities, it was the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship between the two women. Indeed, we now know that it was rather more than simply a friendship in the platonic sense and that Dietrich regarded Piaf as an honorary member of what she termed the Sewing Circle, the secret group of Hollywood women from which Dietrich allegedly drew several of her lesbian lovers.