BERYL COOK | Café in Los Angeles

Portal Gallery, London
Jackie Collins
Her sale, Bonhams Los Angeles, 16th May 2017, lot 240, where acquired by the present owner

Joe Whitlock Blundell, Beryl Cook, Bouncers, Victor Gollancz, London, 1992, illustrated (as Hollywood Cafe);
Joe Whitlock Blundell, Beryl Cook, The Bumper Edition, The Book People, Haydock, 2000, illustrated p.181 (as Hollywood Cafe);
Jess Wilder and Jerome Sans, The World of Beryl Cook, Presetel, London, 2008, illustrated p.98 (as Hollywood Cafe).

The work has a very discoloured varnish and would benefit from a clean. There is some minor reticulation around the door in the upper right corner. There are one or two tiny scratches and scuffs, only visible upon close inspection. The work appears to be in excellent overall condition. Inspection under ultra violet light is made difficult by the discoloured varnish but there does not appear to be any fluorescence or retouching. The work is held within a simple, veneered wooden frame. Please telephone the department on +44 (0)207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present lot.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

'Here I am in Hollywood! Where you can't see me, at the back of the cafe. The only addition I've made to the scene is the advertisement for Camel cigarettes on the wall, which was a huge and very striking poster that I saw on hoardings all over Hollywood. After a visit to Forest Lawns (hoping to find Rudolph Valentino's grave), a bus took us back to Sunset Boulevard and we turned into this cafe. The chef was enormous and dressed in spotless white. I don't think his clientele were glamorous enough to be ex-film stars: in face the man sitting with two girls looked rather menacing, and as we drank our coffee we speculated on what sort of business he was about. Monkey, I expect.'

Beryl Cook, quoted in Joe Whitlock Blundell, Beryl Cook, The Bumper Edition, The Book People, Haydock, 2000, p.181.