[Peter Ustinov, film and theatre actor.] Autograph Card Signed ('Peter (USTINOV)'), describing himself as a 'lousy correspondent', regarding his mother's death and his own 'shyness'.

Seventeen lines of text, on both sides of a piece of grey card. In good condition. Written in felt-tip pen, and difficult to decipher in places, as for example the Paris address and name of recipient. Begins: 'Surprise, surprise, dear [?], it is no longer true that I have not answered a single letter. Dear Nadia was so popular a person that I am still struggling with an Everest of condolences, and this far happier event has given me a momentary pause in my labours'. While admitting to being a 'lousy correspondent', he expresses great pleasure in writing to the recipient, 'since you occupied a very special place in Nadia's heart and in my admiration'. He does not feel his writing is 'terribly coherent since I incline towards shyness and what the French call “Pudeur”'. He would like to renew their acquaintance, and will make contact again on his next visit to Paris.