Evelyne Aznavour

[Christian de la Maziere]

France: N.p., Circa 1958. Two original black-and-white portrait photographs of one-time actress Evelyne Aznavour, with an inscribed note in manuscript ink, addressed to Christian de la Maziere. The note is dated "Friday 20" and seems to imply Aznavour having just missed de la Maziere, regrettably, and a future attempt will be made. Both photos with Evelyne's name in manuscript ink on the versos. Housed in original mailing envelope with both names and addresses, and a few doodles, in manuscript ink.

Aznavour is enigmatic, with almost no biographic information readily obtainable, but her classic blonde coiffure and light eyes are unquestionable qualities often seen in French cinema of the era. She married entertainer Charles Aznavour in 1956, and the two were split by 1958. These photographs presumably floated between talent agencies before her first and only film credit, "Too Late for Love" (1959), a pseudo-exploitation court drama about selling wine to minors.

Christian de la Maziere (1922-2006) was a journalist and member of the Charlemagne Division of the Waffen SS, and was featured in Marcel Ophuls' documentary "The Sorrow and the Pity" (1969), discussing his military service. He worked for the fascist newspaper "Le Pays Libre" before joining Charlemagne, and his autobiography "The Captive Dreamer" (1974) was based largely on experiences at Vichy. After the war he worked briefly as a talent manager, when he would have received these photos.

One photo 5 x 6.25 inches, one photo 4.5 x 7 inches, note 5.25 x 8 inches, envelope 5.75 x 8.75 inches. Photos Very Good plus with light horizontal creases, one with a small chip and creasing in top right corner, note Near Fine, envelope Very Good overall.


[Book #143290]