Claire Windsor's mother, Rosella Cronk ( also know as Ella and in Iowa as Rose), was the correspondence secretary for Claire. Every request for a fan photo had to be answered with a form letter, but many requests required special attention. Here are a few letters that give insight into the life of a movie star in the 1920's.
February 26, 1928
1042-3rd Ave Los Angeles Calif.
Feb-26-1928.
Dear M. Mank Jr.
[Charles "Chaw" Mank Jr. (1902-1985)]
I just ran across your letter written Dec 17 and I feel we owe you an apologia for neglecting to answer sooner. But each day the letters stack up till I feel discouraged about getting caught up. Claire is always so busy being called on for so many things that she has so little time for writing letters. I am her Mother and try to do what little I can for her. Yesterday she left for Denver Colorado as the Rocky Mountain News wanted her to attend the opening of the Auto Convention held at that place starting the 25. will be there for a week giving her a lot of publicity also all along the Union Pacific line. She opened the California Fruit Show Convention held here at The Biltmore Giving the Gavel to the President who was here from Chicago. She also poses for Colord Motion pictures which is now being shown on the screen every where. just now she is not working on any picture as all the studios are at a stand still for a while over productions I guess. the last one she made is Called "The Nameless man" I cant tell you what the picture will be like it is a Tiffany Stahl Picture.
I am glad to see so much Interest among the Clubs. It Helps a lot. I think there are about 8 Claire Windsor Clubs here and there which keeps one quite busy trying to answer questions and keep them posted. "The Opening Night" Gets very good Write ups also "Fashion Madness" I dont know so much about "Satan and the Woman" Dont believe that has been Released as yet. She has a chance to go on The Orpheum, it a sketch but has not decided weather she wants to do that yet or not, it would only be for a short time while productions are slow. They are looking for a good story for her. That seems to be the greatest trouble. Miss Windsor joins me in wishing you the best of success and thanks you many times for your kindly interest in her behalf. these Movie people do work hard and do appreciate all the letters they receive which is encouraging. Claire worked so hard before Xmas that she was sick in bed for a week just from over work. which was night and day just to finish it before Xmas. With the best of wishes and hope to hear from you again, I am, Most
Sincerely, Mrs. Cronk.
1042-3rd Ave Los Angeles Calif.
Feb-26-1928.
Dear M. Mank Jr.
[Charles "Chaw" Mank Jr. (1902-1985)]
I just ran across your letter written Dec 17 and I feel we owe you an apologia for neglecting to answer sooner. But each day the letters stack up till I feel discouraged about getting caught up. Claire is always so busy being called on for so many things that she has so little time for writing letters. I am her Mother and try to do what little I can for her. Yesterday she left for Denver Colorado as the Rocky Mountain News wanted her to attend the opening of the Auto Convention held at that place starting the 25. will be there for a week giving her a lot of publicity also all along the Union Pacific line. She opened the California Fruit Show Convention held here at The Biltmore Giving the Gavel to the President who was here from Chicago. She also poses for Colord Motion pictures which is now being shown on the screen every where. just now she is not working on any picture as all the studios are at a stand still for a while over productions I guess. the last one she made is Called "The Nameless man" I cant tell you what the picture will be like it is a Tiffany Stahl Picture.
I am glad to see so much Interest among the Clubs. It Helps a lot. I think there are about 8 Claire Windsor Clubs here and there which keeps one quite busy trying to answer questions and keep them posted. "The Opening Night" Gets very good Write ups also "Fashion Madness" I dont know so much about "Satan and the Woman" Dont believe that has been Released as yet. She has a chance to go on The Orpheum, it a sketch but has not decided weather she wants to do that yet or not, it would only be for a short time while productions are slow. They are looking for a good story for her. That seems to be the greatest trouble. Miss Windsor joins me in wishing you the best of success and thanks you many times for your kindly interest in her behalf. these Movie people do work hard and do appreciate all the letters they receive which is encouraging. Claire worked so hard before Xmas that she was sick in bed for a week just from over work. which was night and day just to finish it before Xmas. With the best of wishes and hope to hear from you again, I am, Most
Sincerely, Mrs. Cronk.
May 17, 1928
Mr. Chas. Mank Jr.
1042-3rd Ave. Los Angeles Calif.
May-17-1928.
Dear Mr. Mank;
I fear you will think me a very poor Correspondent. But if you could see how very busy I am all the time you would think the same as all my friends do. "How do you do so much" just finished mailing out Five thousand Fan pictures and a good many personal letters which calls for a reply. I was four weeks getting a letter to Helen Bennett our President of the Claire Windsor Club. I started it on the 6 of April and finished it the 16k of May. and Claire has less time in fact she never writes letters. for she is kept on the move all the time. She has decided to go on the stage between pictures, and rehearsed in one sketch which she didn't like so now she is getting ready for another which is to her liking. The Orpheum people wanted her to go on with the one she started in but she would not she is now getting ready to work in a picture. will also Rehearse on her Sketch. She has also Painted in Oil a beautiful painting for the art exhibit here the last of this week. It is a garden Arbor scene over looking the Ocean. and is 3x4 ft. She is down now getting a frame for it. With all this, she has been Posing for Leon Gordon who is a very famous artist. He has painted her life size in oil. another Artist has nearly finished a bust of her in Bronze, so you can see that she is a very busy lady.
Now as to the pictures which the stars just have to do is not what they like but what they can get hold of. It is poor stories. I know how the fans feel about what Claire does for we get letters every day telling us that same thing then the stars have to reap the benefit. It was very nice of you to send us your Paper and we did appreciated it. with the Add about her. We get the "Screen players fan news["] to, which is a club here for all the stars. I will send you a copy and if you will promise to return a cut of Claire which is the only one she has and would not want to part with it. I will go send it to you. as I see that you have your Paper in Print. You see // Claire didn't like the pictures she was cast in and as her contract was nearing a close they just used her that way is about the only reason I can give for these Western productions she was cast in. You see Mr. Mank as she grew in her work her fan mail got so large it is just impossible to keep pace with it for every day letters come in wanting a reply. and for days I did nothing but write letters for her till it really got beyond me to keep it up. I am going to sit right down now and tint a picture for you it is a shame to neglect so worthy a friend I just came to your letter which had piled high so many letters on top. I see I am to late for the May number. I sure am sorry. I seem to be Late but sure I hope. Now I hope you will be able to meet Claire if she takes the sketch out on the road as she is planning to do. she may not reach Staunton, Mr. Abbott is planning on coming to Calif this summer. or fall I should say. Claire has a friend in London England that is writing a story for her and I am looking for it every day. I shall be delighted if it should prove a good one. Now look for the picture and Contest. Claire had a sick spell and as did Mr. Cronk. I believe he was gone for a second or two and frightened us nearly to death but he is all right now. Wishing you success and if a face is any indication of Happiness you have it. With best regards, I am
Most Sincerely,
Mrs. Ella Cronk.
[Written in pencil in the left margin:]
Dear Mr. Mank when I got the cut out of Claire & find it is perfectly smooth and on copper but it is a very lovely cut of head and shoulders arms and wonder if you could use it. I had supposed cuts for the news paper were rough so they would stamp with printer Ink. let me know.
Mr. Chas. Mank Jr.
1042-3rd Ave. Los Angeles Calif.
May-17-1928.
Dear Mr. Mank;
I fear you will think me a very poor Correspondent. But if you could see how very busy I am all the time you would think the same as all my friends do. "How do you do so much" just finished mailing out Five thousand Fan pictures and a good many personal letters which calls for a reply. I was four weeks getting a letter to Helen Bennett our President of the Claire Windsor Club. I started it on the 6 of April and finished it the 16k of May. and Claire has less time in fact she never writes letters. for she is kept on the move all the time. She has decided to go on the stage between pictures, and rehearsed in one sketch which she didn't like so now she is getting ready for another which is to her liking. The Orpheum people wanted her to go on with the one she started in but she would not she is now getting ready to work in a picture. will also Rehearse on her Sketch. She has also Painted in Oil a beautiful painting for the art exhibit here the last of this week. It is a garden Arbor scene over looking the Ocean. and is 3x4 ft. She is down now getting a frame for it. With all this, she has been Posing for Leon Gordon who is a very famous artist. He has painted her life size in oil. another Artist has nearly finished a bust of her in Bronze, so you can see that she is a very busy lady.
Now as to the pictures which the stars just have to do is not what they like but what they can get hold of. It is poor stories. I know how the fans feel about what Claire does for we get letters every day telling us that same thing then the stars have to reap the benefit. It was very nice of you to send us your Paper and we did appreciated it. with the Add about her. We get the "Screen players fan news["] to, which is a club here for all the stars. I will send you a copy and if you will promise to return a cut of Claire which is the only one she has and would not want to part with it. I will go send it to you. as I see that you have your Paper in Print. You see // Claire didn't like the pictures she was cast in and as her contract was nearing a close they just used her that way is about the only reason I can give for these Western productions she was cast in. You see Mr. Mank as she grew in her work her fan mail got so large it is just impossible to keep pace with it for every day letters come in wanting a reply. and for days I did nothing but write letters for her till it really got beyond me to keep it up. I am going to sit right down now and tint a picture for you it is a shame to neglect so worthy a friend I just came to your letter which had piled high so many letters on top. I see I am to late for the May number. I sure am sorry. I seem to be Late but sure I hope. Now I hope you will be able to meet Claire if she takes the sketch out on the road as she is planning to do. she may not reach Staunton, Mr. Abbott is planning on coming to Calif this summer. or fall I should say. Claire has a friend in London England that is writing a story for her and I am looking for it every day. I shall be delighted if it should prove a good one. Now look for the picture and Contest. Claire had a sick spell and as did Mr. Cronk. I believe he was gone for a second or two and frightened us nearly to death but he is all right now. Wishing you success and if a face is any indication of Happiness you have it. With best regards, I am
Most Sincerely,
Mrs. Ella Cronk.
[Written in pencil in the left margin:]
Dear Mr. Mank when I got the cut out of Claire & find it is perfectly smooth and on copper but it is a very lovely cut of head and shoulders arms and wonder if you could use it. I had supposed cuts for the news paper were rough so they would stamp with printer Ink. let me know.
June 7, 1928
Mr. Charles Mank Jr.
1042-3rd Ave. Los Angeles Calif.
June 7-1928
Dar Mr. Mank;
Claire and each received a letter from you and thanks for all your kind favors. The Cut I said I would send you I sent a few days ago and a few names of Fans. will send you a lot more soon. I have picked up a few things and have them all wrapped up for mailing nothing much. I had to divide up with an many "Claire Windsor Clubs". which are scattered all over. wish they could consolidate which would make it much easier. I think there are 8 "Claire Windsor Clubs" this week got a letter telling of that many more. Claire wears her things pretty hard for she uses them in pictures since she has been free lancing. and /// another thing she has a habit of loaning her dresses and Wraps to her friends and does not get to go to formal things very often. Street cloths and sport cloths she gives away as soon as she is through with them. But she is so fussy about giving them to anyone unless they look all right in them and fits them perfectly. Yesterday I see her give two pairs of beautiful shoes away. One pair she had never had on herself. one was blue and the other pink because this girl had on a dress that matched the shoes. Claire will wait till fall before going on the Stage her manager has gone to New York to look after the backing. she would like to finish her contract with Tiffany and Stahl first if she can. she has three more pictures to make with them on Contract. right now she has started another painting. We will get to see "Fashion Madness" which opens up at the theatre only Five Blocks from where we live. It is a beautiful Theatre some think it is the most beautiful in the city. "The Opening Night["] will be here the last of this month. so at least we Will get to see them. I am going to have some snap shots of Billy and Myself soon and will send you one. I must tell you something of Little Billy, I know that people so far away wonder about the children of the stars. Billy is one of the most delightful children I know. and I never have heard him say an unkind word to his mother or me. He goes to the Urban Military school and received a star for every month he has attended which has been all this year. He just received the last star for this year which is a gold star on a black silk bar, and he entered the Riffle range class about a moth ago his father sent him a riffle. and he has won a Medal already. The teacher told me the other day. that she had asked the class to get up and tell the school who was their Ideal man among all the great men they know about. when it came Billie['s] turned he got up and said "I expect my choice will differ from the rest for my Ideal is Jesus Christ" he said it in such a serious manner that a lady visitor cried. A picture of Christ was hanging on the wall in front of Billy along with Washington and Taffs and Lincolns pictures.
Well I guess I have said enough for this time about My boy Hope your receive the Cut all right and with our very best regards for your success in every thing you may undertake. I am
Most sincerely,
Mrs. Ella Cronk.
Mr. Charles Mank Jr.
1042-3rd Ave. Los Angeles Calif.
June 7-1928
Dar Mr. Mank;
Claire and each received a letter from you and thanks for all your kind favors. The Cut I said I would send you I sent a few days ago and a few names of Fans. will send you a lot more soon. I have picked up a few things and have them all wrapped up for mailing nothing much. I had to divide up with an many "Claire Windsor Clubs". which are scattered all over. wish they could consolidate which would make it much easier. I think there are 8 "Claire Windsor Clubs" this week got a letter telling of that many more. Claire wears her things pretty hard for she uses them in pictures since she has been free lancing. and /// another thing she has a habit of loaning her dresses and Wraps to her friends and does not get to go to formal things very often. Street cloths and sport cloths she gives away as soon as she is through with them. But she is so fussy about giving them to anyone unless they look all right in them and fits them perfectly. Yesterday I see her give two pairs of beautiful shoes away. One pair she had never had on herself. one was blue and the other pink because this girl had on a dress that matched the shoes. Claire will wait till fall before going on the Stage her manager has gone to New York to look after the backing. she would like to finish her contract with Tiffany and Stahl first if she can. she has three more pictures to make with them on Contract. right now she has started another painting. We will get to see "Fashion Madness" which opens up at the theatre only Five Blocks from where we live. It is a beautiful Theatre some think it is the most beautiful in the city. "The Opening Night["] will be here the last of this month. so at least we Will get to see them. I am going to have some snap shots of Billy and Myself soon and will send you one. I must tell you something of Little Billy, I know that people so far away wonder about the children of the stars. Billy is one of the most delightful children I know. and I never have heard him say an unkind word to his mother or me. He goes to the Urban Military school and received a star for every month he has attended which has been all this year. He just received the last star for this year which is a gold star on a black silk bar, and he entered the Riffle range class about a moth ago his father sent him a riffle. and he has won a Medal already. The teacher told me the other day. that she had asked the class to get up and tell the school who was their Ideal man among all the great men they know about. when it came Billie['s] turned he got up and said "I expect my choice will differ from the rest for my Ideal is Jesus Christ" he said it in such a serious manner that a lady visitor cried. A picture of Christ was hanging on the wall in front of Billy along with Washington and Taffs and Lincolns pictures.
Well I guess I have said enough for this time about My boy Hope your receive the Cut all right and with our very best regards for your success in every thing you may undertake. I am
Most sincerely,
Mrs. Ella Cronk.
August 25, 1928
Mr. Charles Mank Jr.
1043-3rd Ave. Los Angeles Calif;
Aug-25-1928.
Dear Mr. Mank:
I have just returned from My vacation and hardly have gotten rested. for it proved a very hard tip for us both. We received the news and must say that it is improving all the time and the cut of Claire is wonderful. Thanks so much for the notice you have given her in the news. I am very sure it was great of you. Just received a telephone call from Mr. Swartz the Sculptor that made the Bust of Claire Windsor Wone the gold Medal at the southwest Exposition held at Long Beach recently. Only the very best Sculptors were allowed to enter. He told me he was going to make it up in Marble wont that be great. It was quite an honor for Mr. Swartz. Claire has just finished another picture With Tiffany and Stahl. and will soon start another with the Fox Co. It will be "The Black Gangster" It sounds like a crack story dont it. Well I dont know but I suppose the leading lady rescues her lover from the pitfalls. I think Victor McLaglen is the Director and Jack Blystone is the leading Man. The Claire Windsor Club here is gaining in Members as Miss Myeberg tells me she is The Secretary Claire is the President. The Club sends to all members of the Club an 8x10 picture of Claire which is made on Linen and is very good. I just finished opening a thousand letters finding among them sone wonderful letters which I have just finished answering and we will keep them in memory of the days that she pleased the people with her work on the screen. One letter was from a man of about 40. and I am sure that some picture which she has made must have reminded him of his own life which touched his heart strings. Who knows. as you know that Claire is not of the Flapper style. so comes nearer touching the hearts of the sentimental type. and people that have feelings. Must close with best wishes for you and the Club.
Mrs. Ella Cronk.
Mr. Charles Mank Jr.
1043-3rd Ave. Los Angeles Calif;
Aug-25-1928.
Dear Mr. Mank:
I have just returned from My vacation and hardly have gotten rested. for it proved a very hard tip for us both. We received the news and must say that it is improving all the time and the cut of Claire is wonderful. Thanks so much for the notice you have given her in the news. I am very sure it was great of you. Just received a telephone call from Mr. Swartz the Sculptor that made the Bust of Claire Windsor Wone the gold Medal at the southwest Exposition held at Long Beach recently. Only the very best Sculptors were allowed to enter. He told me he was going to make it up in Marble wont that be great. It was quite an honor for Mr. Swartz. Claire has just finished another picture With Tiffany and Stahl. and will soon start another with the Fox Co. It will be "The Black Gangster" It sounds like a crack story dont it. Well I dont know but I suppose the leading lady rescues her lover from the pitfalls. I think Victor McLaglen is the Director and Jack Blystone is the leading Man. The Claire Windsor Club here is gaining in Members as Miss Myeberg tells me she is The Secretary Claire is the President. The Club sends to all members of the Club an 8x10 picture of Claire which is made on Linen and is very good. I just finished opening a thousand letters finding among them sone wonderful letters which I have just finished answering and we will keep them in memory of the days that she pleased the people with her work on the screen. One letter was from a man of about 40. and I am sure that some picture which she has made must have reminded him of his own life which touched his heart strings. Who knows. as you know that Claire is not of the Flapper style. so comes nearer touching the hearts of the sentimental type. and people that have feelings. Must close with best wishes for you and the Club.
Mrs. Ella Cronk.
September 7, 1928
Mr. Charles Mank Jr.
Secretary of Movie Fan Club
226-East Mill Street
Staunton, Ill.
1043-3rd Ave Los Angeles Claif.
Sep-7-1928.
Dear Mr. Mank;
Your letter just received and always pleased to hear from you. The cut of Claire Was very good and looked well on our news paper. Which we all enjoyed. I dont know weather I can get hold of one of the Linen finished pictures that Miss Meyberg is sending out to the members or not I have only one. I heard her say that the club was getting along fine. But I dont believe she orders many more than she has to send out. she has only brought one to the house just to show us. Miss Meyberg has an office down in the city where she attends to all this kind of work. I had a dozen snapshots taken again the other day and I would not send you one of them. Will try it again I think I shall have to have some taken in the shade for the light is to bright for my eyes (out here in California) now what do you say. No one likes them so there. Maby it is my fault just cant look well. The world seems to be going crazy over Rubie but I only know him just as he would call for Miss Windsor to take her some place which was only twice and that was before he went into pictures. Miss Windsor had nothing to say when I asked her for a line. I cannot make out whose address you want Aged 40 tell me who you mean. Maby I am dence to much English in my blood. I wish you could see the letters I have before me to attend to 15 hundred. It makes me sick just to look what it all means. For we are going to move into Claires home very soon. and trying to train in a new maid. will let you know when we move. Claire is just in her glory right now for she just leaves to fix up a home she has been married twice but never had a home so now she will have her wishes gratifyed. we will sell or rent this one. Her face fairly beams in planning the way she wants things. Now I must close.
sincerely Mrs Ella Cronk.
Mr. Charles Mank Jr.
Secretary of Movie Fan Club
226-East Mill Street
Staunton, Ill.
1043-3rd Ave Los Angeles Claif.
Sep-7-1928.
Dear Mr. Mank;
Your letter just received and always pleased to hear from you. The cut of Claire Was very good and looked well on our news paper. Which we all enjoyed. I dont know weather I can get hold of one of the Linen finished pictures that Miss Meyberg is sending out to the members or not I have only one. I heard her say that the club was getting along fine. But I dont believe she orders many more than she has to send out. she has only brought one to the house just to show us. Miss Meyberg has an office down in the city where she attends to all this kind of work. I had a dozen snapshots taken again the other day and I would not send you one of them. Will try it again I think I shall have to have some taken in the shade for the light is to bright for my eyes (out here in California) now what do you say. No one likes them so there. Maby it is my fault just cant look well. The world seems to be going crazy over Rubie but I only know him just as he would call for Miss Windsor to take her some place which was only twice and that was before he went into pictures. Miss Windsor had nothing to say when I asked her for a line. I cannot make out whose address you want Aged 40 tell me who you mean. Maby I am dence to much English in my blood. I wish you could see the letters I have before me to attend to 15 hundred. It makes me sick just to look what it all means. For we are going to move into Claires home very soon. and trying to train in a new maid. will let you know when we move. Claire is just in her glory right now for she just leaves to fix up a home she has been married twice but never had a home so now she will have her wishes gratifyed. we will sell or rent this one. Her face fairly beams in planning the way she wants things. Now I must close.
sincerely Mrs Ella Cronk.
February 27, 1929
Mr. Charles Mank Jr.
202-South Orange Drive-L. A. Calif.
Feb-27-1929
Dear Mr. Mank;
It is a shame to have neglected answering your kind letter long before this which was dated Jan. 9. This is the busiest place on earth. You will have to excuse my writing on the slip for I am yet very shaky from the Flue and we have no snap shots. I shall have some taken as soon as I can get the time. Have you heard about Claire going to Cuba. The Fawsetts both brothers with their wives have been here and William and his wife took a fancy to Claire and they invited her as their guest on this trip Paying all her expenses they left Monday morning by boat going by the way of the Panama canal To Cuba and from there to Miama Fla. then to Palm beach. she will have to return from there as the Tiffany Stahl want to make the Talkies on her two last pictures. as her trip will have to be cut short, they intended to take her to Washington D. C. and New York then home by the[ir] home up in Minn. She has just made "Zeppelin" and "Midstream" which was called "Life" they want her for another picture right away. but dont know just what it will be. Now as to the fan Pictures. When Mr. Hays was here last he and the Producers got together and decided that sending out free fan pictures have got to be so great that they cant afford to send them out free anymore. so will charge 25Cts for the 8x10 and 10 Cts for the 5x7. Miss Windsors last Pictures are on Linnen finish and are lovely and are a different pose. she just paid out $400 for pictures and they were gone in no time and that is not counting the time nor the cost of taking care of the mail nor stamping. which alone cost $75. for 5000 pictures. there was 50 duplicate requests for pictures in the last batch. some think of getting a different pose. The Free Lancing stars cant afford it send out free if the producers cant. If the fans are sincere and really mean all they write they wont mind paying that for a picture. I hate to turn the requests down. But Claire has spent a small fortune on Pictures and have given them all away. To be sure it has been good Publicity for her and she had to have it when unknown. It is very lovely of you to do so much for Claire and we do appreciate it. Claire has some wonderful letters from over seas. One letter wishes she might make the "The Red Lilly." he sent her a beautiful gold pin made in the form of a red Lilly on its stock the lilly its self is made of red settings. He is a lawyer and he wrote a wonderful letter. there are so many that want to write a story just for her they dont know how hard it is to put a story over with the producers.
Now I must close and answer some of these letters. or they will think we are not very appreciative. I am going to send you a pose of Clairs last fan picture. Kindest wishes for your success.
Most Sincerely.
Mrs. Ella Cronk.
Mr. Charles Mank Jr.
202-South Orange Drive-L. A. Calif.
Feb-27-1929
Dear Mr. Mank;
It is a shame to have neglected answering your kind letter long before this which was dated Jan. 9. This is the busiest place on earth. You will have to excuse my writing on the slip for I am yet very shaky from the Flue and we have no snap shots. I shall have some taken as soon as I can get the time. Have you heard about Claire going to Cuba. The Fawsetts both brothers with their wives have been here and William and his wife took a fancy to Claire and they invited her as their guest on this trip Paying all her expenses they left Monday morning by boat going by the way of the Panama canal To Cuba and from there to Miama Fla. then to Palm beach. she will have to return from there as the Tiffany Stahl want to make the Talkies on her two last pictures. as her trip will have to be cut short, they intended to take her to Washington D. C. and New York then home by the[ir] home up in Minn. She has just made "Zeppelin" and "Midstream" which was called "Life" they want her for another picture right away. but dont know just what it will be. Now as to the fan Pictures. When Mr. Hays was here last he and the Producers got together and decided that sending out free fan pictures have got to be so great that they cant afford to send them out free anymore. so will charge 25Cts for the 8x10 and 10 Cts for the 5x7. Miss Windsors last Pictures are on Linnen finish and are lovely and are a different pose. she just paid out $400 for pictures and they were gone in no time and that is not counting the time nor the cost of taking care of the mail nor stamping. which alone cost $75. for 5000 pictures. there was 50 duplicate requests for pictures in the last batch. some think of getting a different pose. The Free Lancing stars cant afford it send out free if the producers cant. If the fans are sincere and really mean all they write they wont mind paying that for a picture. I hate to turn the requests down. But Claire has spent a small fortune on Pictures and have given them all away. To be sure it has been good Publicity for her and she had to have it when unknown. It is very lovely of you to do so much for Claire and we do appreciate it. Claire has some wonderful letters from over seas. One letter wishes she might make the "The Red Lilly." he sent her a beautiful gold pin made in the form of a red Lilly on its stock the lilly its self is made of red settings. He is a lawyer and he wrote a wonderful letter. there are so many that want to write a story just for her they dont know how hard it is to put a story over with the producers.
Now I must close and answer some of these letters. or they will think we are not very appreciative. I am going to send you a pose of Clairs last fan picture. Kindest wishes for your success.
Most Sincerely.
Mrs. Ella Cronk.