SEARLE, Ronald W.F. (1920-2011). Illustrated autograph letter signed ('Ronald Searle') to Arthur Marshall, 77 Bedford Gardens, 1 May 1948.

SEARLE, Ronald W.F. (1920-2011). Illustrated autograph letter signed ('Ronald Searle') to Arthur Marshall, 77 Bedford Gardens, 1 May 1948.

One page, 242 x 190mm, printed letterpaper, illustrated with a sketch showing the Belles of St Trinian's and Miss Fritton.

A letter from Ronald Searle to the writer and broadcaster Arthur Marshall featuring his most famous creation – the Belles of St Trinian's – caught in a moment of mischief. 'St Trinians send you their very best thanks and good wishes for a charming reception. Their activities sounded so much funnier than we, as founder, thought they were on paper! – and they enjoyed it very much'.

In 1949, the year after the present letter was written, Ronald Searle collaborated with the writer and broadcaster Arthur Marshall (1910-1989) on a feature for a Christmas edition of Lilliput magazine; Marshall supplied the words for 'Look Out King Wenceslas', which was then illustrated by Searle. After Searle, Marshall was perhaps the best-known parodist of life in British girls' schools at the time, though his broad career would later extend across radio, television and the stage.