Letter from Cynthia Powell to Astrid Kirchherr, Spring of 1962. The blouse Cynthia mentions is the same one she would later wear on the day she married John (August 23, 1962).
[a star to look after you]
Please, before I begin, can you forgive me for taking such a long time in replying to your lovely letters and drawings and everything. My time has been taken up all the time with [?] for my exams (HORRIBLE) and in taking them (even more horrible).
ANYWAY I am now free to write to you again without worrying anymore over exams and work.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAREST FRIEND ALL THE WAY AWAY IN GERMANY.
Astrid, how are you now? I know you must be very lonely now that the Beatles are back in Liverpool again but I know you must be looking forward to coming here soon. I can’t wait to see you again.
You must know that I am very happy now that John is back with me again but I only wish you could have some of my happiness.
The Beatles sound as marvelous as ever (especially JOHN hee! hee!) and their first night back in the CAVERN was marvelous. It was so full. They are even more popular than ever now. It’s great. Oh Astrid if only you could be here. I hate to think of you all alone in Germany when we are all here. It’s so unfair.
[drawing of herself wearing a blouse given to her by Astrid]
How do I look? Thank you again for the blouse. I feel great when I wear it. I’ve never seen one so beautiful and I’m sure I never will. John bought me a beautiful leather coat as a present and a black polo and a nightie and a lot of little things!!!
I hope you don’t mind me writing on note paper but I’ve run out of writing paper and I feel terrible because I haven’t written in so long. I must write to my mother as well. She’ll be wondering what has happened to me.
John thought your drawings were wonderful and will write to you very soon. The Scotsman with the head of John was a scream! All your drawings are pinned up around my room. Oh well I’ll be teaching again tomorrow. I can’t stand the thought of having to do it for the rest of my life though still I don’t suppose it will be too bad. [drawing of her herself teaching and looking very serious]
Well I think that is all for now Astrid. I hope you didn’t think I was terrible for not writing. I do wish you could come soon though and we could have a lovely talk and drink and celebrate your BIRTHDAY, which nobody told me about!
[drawings of flowers and two young women - Cynthia and Astrid- talking over drinks at a small table with a “hee! hee!” written below]
I will write again very soon so don’t think because John is back again, I will stop writing and forget you. Get well soon Astrid and we’ll be able to have a lovely time when you come to Liverpool again.
Bye bye for now my dearest friend.
[various drawings along the bottom]