30 DECEMBER 2000, Page 23

Epistolary request

From Mr John Coldstream Sir: The late Dirk Bogarde, a keen reader of your organ, was described in its pages by Matthew Parris as one of a group of famous men who were 'braver than I will ever be' and by Sheridan Morley as 'impossible'. Apart from much else, he was, as many of your readers will doubtless know at first hand, a prolific and trenchant correspon- dent, whose wit more than compensated for his appalling spelling. His estate has autho- rised an official Life, which I am writing for Weidenfeld & Nicolson, so I wonder if I might trespass on your hospitality to say I would greatly welcome a sight of any Bog- arde letters, legible or otherwise, which can be sent to me c/o Peters, Fraser & Dunlop, at 34-43 Russell Street, WC2B 5HA, and which I pledge to treat with extreme care before their prompt return.

John Coldstream

London NW8