RODGERS and HAMMERSTEIN
Letter to Celeste Holm signed by both Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein thanking her for a tribute performance of Oklahoma! to Lorenz Hart. New York: 9 March 1944. One page typed letter signed on the shared stationery of Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers with their New York address, signed in ink "Dick" above "Oscar", addressed to Celeste Holm at lower left as "c/o 'Oklahoma' Company" at the address of the St. James Theatre on 44th Street, accompanied by the original mailing envelope similarly addressed. 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches. Usual folds, fine.

"Dear Celeste/We are writing to express our deep gratitude for your gracious and effective contribution toward the success of the tribute performance to Larry Hart last Sunday night. As ever, Dick/Oscar"

Lorenz "Larry" Hart, long the songwriting partner of Richard Rodgers, had begun writing Oklahoma! with Rodgers but unreliable due to increasing emotional turmoil and alcoholism dropped out and had died in November 1943. Oklahoma! was to be the first of many major successes for new partners Rodgers and Hammerstein. Letters signed by the duo are scarce, particularly on such a personal topic and at this early point in their partnership, and written to Celeste Holm, the star making Oklahoma! a national sensation.