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JOY  ADAMSON
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JOY ADAMSON ADVISES A COUPLE NOT TO NAME THEIR BABY AFTER HER

 

FRIEDERIKE VICTORIA “JOY” ADAMSON (1910-1980). Adamson was an Austrian naturalist, author, and wildlife conservationist. She is best known for Born Free, her book about her experiences raising an orphaned lion cub named Elsa, and its two sequels, Living Free and Forever Free.

 

TLS. 2pgs. November 30, 1974. London. A typed letter signed Joy Adamson on the facing page. Adamson wrote to a couple who was considering naming their newborn daughter after Adamson. “Dear Mr & Mrs Colbert, Thank you so much for your note and the photograph of your beautiful baby on whose birth I send you my most sincere congratulations. As to your suggestion to call the dear baby, Joy Adamson Colbert, I feel that this might jeopardise her own identity in future life, or that she might resent having to grow up in the image of another person. Although I am deeply touched by your kind consideration to name your little daughter after me, I believe that it would be more appropriate to call her Joy Elsa or perhaps Elsa Joy if you still wish to pursue the ideal of Elsa in her. With all very best wishes to you and the darling baby, Joy Adamson. Adamson’s letter is inside a notecard depicting Adamson’s painting of her lion club, Elsa, sleeping on a camp bed. It is in fine condition.