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May 2008
Dear Casey,
I love what you are doing!!!!!!!! I am a huge fan of your legendary and immortal granmother. Attached are photos of a
one of a kind doll of "Mildred Pierce" that I was commissioned to do. I am an artist who specialies in the stars
of the golden era of Hollywood. The doll was entirely hand made by me! The face hand sculpted - the clothes and jewelery
made from vintage. I hope that you like it! Will you be in the New York, New Jersey area for any meet and greets? Do you
follow any specific spiritual path? I know that Joan was a Christian Scientist. Also, has a large "photo" book
of Joan been published recently?
Lots of Love,
David Ciampichini
May 2008
Dear David,
Thanks for the lovely letter and wonderful photos of your work!
You have an amazing talent and have captured my grandmother's character of Mildred Pierce with a fabulous likeness!
I love how you hand sculpted the face and made the clothes and jewelry from vintage pieces. Outstanding!
I have no plans currently for any public events in the near future in the greater New York area. Any upcoming potential
events will most likely be linked to the release of the Robert Tonner Doll Company's exclusive Joan Crawford line. I am sure
the company will want to do some publicity, so stay tuned!
My grandmother was a practitioner of Christian Science, not to be confused with Scientology(!). I personally have not
chosen a spiritual path to follow, except to be a loving, dependable and loyal person.
I don't have any information about the book to which you are referring. She may have been included in a large format
photo book, but I haven't seen anything new.
Thanks for the photos and wonderful letter. Keep up the great artistic work and please write again!
Best,
Casey
May 2008
Hi Casey,
Did you happen to know the connection between Joan and David Niven's children?
Thanks!
Daniel
Toronto
May 2008
Dear Daniel,
Welcome and thanks for the letter!
Your letter intrigues me, so I did a little digging but still want to know more.
According to David Niven's autobiography "The Moon's a Balloon," my grandmother helped to take care of Mr. Niven's
two children with his first wife Primula Rollo, whom he married in 1940. Primula and David were having dinner at friend and
fellow actor Tyrone Powers' home in 1946 when after dinner and playing "hide and seek" Primula mistook a door to
the basement for a closet door. She fell down the stairs and died a short time later.
Tragic story. I am now interested to learn more . . . What happened to David's two children? He had two more children
with his second wife Hjordis Paulina Tersmeden, whom he married in 1948. His children with Primmie, as she was nicknamed,
are most possibly still living.
Stay tuned.
Thanks for the letter and please write again!
Best,
Casey
May 2008
Wow, your site has exploded! I wrote several months ago to let you know how much I loved Joan. I wanted you to know my
fav Joan movie is "Mildred Pierce." I can watch it over and over.
My question is what was the costume jewels Joan wore? I had run across the name severeal months ago but can not remember
it now. It may have been on your site. I think you have a few pieces.
Thanks
David
May 2008
Dear David,
Thanks for the letter. Glad to have you back!
My grandmother just loved the costume jewelry of Miriam Haskell. She bought pieces from the 1930's through the 1960's
and 70's. The jewelry was well made, beautiful and wore very well!
Some of my grandmother's pieces have been bought and sold over the years and some still circulates between collectors.
If you are interested, there are several established dealers who have pieces for sale.
I have one ring I (and my wife) are especially fond of. It is a faux emerald ring, probably nine or ten carats in a marquis
cut surrounded by diamonds. I believe Neil posted a photo of it several months ago. It is beautiful!
Thanks for the letter and please write again!
Best,
Casey
May 2008
Casey,
Ann Blyth gave a beautiful tribute to Joan Crawford on TCM. I was wondering how tall Joan Crawford was? She seemed like
a petite woman.
Grace
Secaucus, New Jersey
May 2008
Dear Grace,
Thanks for the letter and welcome to the website!
I always love catching Ann Blyth's tribute to my grandmother on TCM. The anecdotes Ms. Blyth shares are not scandalous
or scintillating, just fond remembrances of working with and being friends with Joan for many years. I met Ms. Blyth at her
Castro Theatre appearance in 2006. What a fabulous lady!
I remember my grandmother as being rather petite. It is generally accepted that Joan was about 5'4" tall. Not too
tall, yet not too short!
Thanks for the letter and please write again!
Best,
Casey
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