Vivien Leigh’s star-studded library, including books inscribed by AA Milne, Winston Churchill, Truman Capote and Evelyn Waugh, as well as a document signed by Elizabeth I, is expected to exceed the £500,000 sale estimate at auction next month.
The document appeared in an inventory of Leigh’s library in 1948, but there is no record of how it was acquired.
“Finding the document signed by Elizabeth was quite a surprise, but I would love to know more of the story behind it,” Heaton said.
As well as his extensive edits to reduce the play to two hours, it contains his suggestions for casting.