Mary Desti Papers, 1918-1930

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Summary

Creators:
Desti, Mary
Abstract:
Mary Desti (1871-1931) was the owner of Desti Beauty Products cosmetics firm and New York City studio which sold art objects, perfumes, and clothing. She wrote The untold story: the life of Isadora Duncan, 1921-1927 (1929). The collection consists of general and business correspondence, papers related to organizing clubs in London and Paris, facsimiles and notes for two projected magazines, bills, receipts, legal documents, photographs, press clippings, programs and flyers for performance and art events, and manuscripts of her biography, other non-fiction, plays, poems and short stories.
Extent:
7 boxes (3.5 linear ft.)
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of general and business correspondence, papers related to organizing clubs in London and Paris, facsimiles and notes for two projected magazines, bills, receipts, legal documents, photographs, press clippings, programs and flyers for performance and art events. Includes manuscripts of biography and memoirs of Isadora Duncan and other non-fiction, as well as manuscripts of plays, poems and short stories. Also includes papers and correspondence related to Preston Sturges & Company and Desti Beauty Products. Includes Mary Desti's correspondence with Isadora Duncan and her daughter Irma, and with Desti's son Preston Sturges and his wife Eleanor.

Biographical / historical:

Desti was born on October 10, 1871 in Quebec, Canada; became owner of Desti Beauty Products cosmetics firm; also owned a New York City studio which sold art objects, perfumes, and clothing; mother of Preston Sturges and friend of Isadora Duncan; wrote The untold story: the life of Isadora Duncan, 1921-1927 (1929); died April 12, 1931 in New York City.

Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  • Business enterprises (Boxes 1,7).
  • Correspondence (Box 1).
  • Ephemera, mostly bills and receipts (Boxes 2,7).
  • Manuscripts (Boxes 3-7).

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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