Pearls
On
Paper
In 1968, Pearl shifted her talents to pen and paper, publishing her first book The Raw Pearl. Over the next twenty years, Bailey published six books, each with its unique take on life, and reflecting Pearl’s dynamic personality.
The Raw Pearl, for example, resembled that of a candid, informal autobiography, while Pearl’s Kitchen (1973) was a mix of home-style cooking recipes, friendly conversation, and personal anecdotes on life. Pearl often gifted her books to friends, colleagues, and associates. As a reflection of how treasured these gifts were, she created a scrapbook filled with personal letters of thanks from those who received them. Two recipients were Grace Kelly and Leopold Senghor.
Kelly wrote to Pearl on two different occasions expressing her gratitude for the books as well as her admiration for the author. In 1971 Kelly received a copy of Talking to Myself and in 1973 she was gifted a copy of Pearl’s Kitchen.
Grace Kelly, born in Philadelphia, was an American actress whose popularity and fanfare rivaled Marylin Monroe at the time. Known as “the Grace of Monaco,” in 1956, she married Prince Rainier III, the sovereign of the Principality of Monaco. This letter, written by Princess Grace on October 24, 1971, was handwritten on the Palace of Monaco stationary.
In 1976, Pearl gifted Senghor, the first President of Independent Senegal, several books.
The following year, during his trip to the Washington, D.C., Senghor who is also known as the father of the Negritude movement aptly gifted Pearl a poetry book signed, “we have been watching you with love.” At the time Pearl was enrolled as a student at Georgetown University.
Translated version of a letter signed by Leopold Senghor in 1976
French version of a letter signed by Leopold Senghor in 1976
