DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES - 1979 WORK CONTRACT

Diana, Princess Of Wales (1961-1997) - an early work contract for Diana Spencer - signed and largely completed in her hand, and dated May 22nd, 1979. The contract for 'Solve Your Problem Ltd,' of 25a Kensington Church Street, London. Filled out by the then seventeen-year-old Diana Spencer in black ink, she notes her address as 69 Cadogan Place, SW1, with telephone number, religion and date of birth noted. Perhaps of most interest is that Diana has incorrectly noted her date of birth as 'July 1st 1960' when infact she was born July 1st 1961 (she was seventeen years and ten months old at the time of signing, but the incorrect date made her appear eighteen years and ten months old). The vendor having always been told that this was thought to be deliberate, Diana making herself appear older in order to get a job quicker, or receive more pay. Diana lists her previous employer (Doctors ANG Duckworth-Chad of Norfolk). The form is further annotated in blue ink by an official representative (most likely Mary Cook who owned Solve Your Problem Ltd), including the comment of 'nearly 18' alongside Diana's incorrect date of birth - presumably when they discovered the incorrect date, a list of Diana's skills 'Daily m/help wanted, Babies upwards - under 10, cook - basic, h/work, animals, clean, and (in pencil) 'ballet dancer'. To the lower part of the form is written 'lovely girl - send anywhere,' in the same hand. The bottom of the form has further additions showing Diana's first two official posts with the company.

Accompanied by a similar contract dated 5th December 1979 for Miss Carolyn Pride (later Bartholomew), Diana's close friend and housemate. The address noted as 60 Colherne Court, Old Compton, SW5 - the address in which Pride was now living with Diana. Diana and Carolyn lived together at Colherne Court until Diana's engagement to Prince Charles in 1981. A blue plaque exists on the building today. This contract is filled out in red ink by Pride, with similar amendments in blue ink by Mary Cook. A later newspaper clipping 'Royal Wedding 29.7.81' has been affixed to the lower corner.

Provenance (from the vendor): Mary Cook was an old friend of my husband's. She was once a Portuguese Countess and a concert pianist of some renown. She worked for the Nuffield Centre and introduced many unknowns to the world of TV and radio, people like Max Bygraves, Tony Hancock, Peter Sellers and other ENSA notables who became household names. She knew everybody who was anybody in London, and when she left her husband 'Foxy' (Count Saul Seruya), she returned to London and needed to work. She set up a very high-class employment agency called ‘Solve Your Problem Ltd' in Kensington. Because Cook knew Lady Fermoy she had an ‘in’ with the palaces and provided a lot of vetted staff for them - I think that’s how Diana was tipped off by her grandmother to use Mary in finding a job. I worked for Solve Your Problem Ltd, and Mary, to cover someone’s holiday leave one summer and she gave me the job application form as a thank-you. Mary died in 2006 and a copy of her Thanksgiving Service Programme is included in the sale.

For more information on Mary Cook, please see: www.independent.ie/news/mary-cook/26411557.html