Christine Keeler

Christine Keeler was the infamous woman at the center of the 1960's Profumo scandal in England (and it had it's American impact as well). Keeler had affairs with both John 'Jack' Profumo, war minister in Harold McMillan's Conservative government, and Eugene Ivanov, the assistant Naval Attache to the USSR embassy who was considered to be a spy by MI5. Obviously, this mix created quite a scandal. Keeler was just 19 years old when the smack went down.

But as always, there's a life which leads up to such events...

Christine Keeler grew up with her mother and stepfather in the Berkshire village of Wraysbury. The home was small and allowed little privacy. Although she was close to her mother, she felt threatened by her stepfather's attentions to the point where she kept a knife under her pillow in case he forced himself upon her.


In 1957, at the age of 15, Keeler commuted daily from Wraysbury to London for her job as a model at a dress shop in the Soho quarter. One day the shop's sweeper invited her to his flat... There, she lost her virginity in what she described as a non-stimulating experience.

At 16, Keeler was dating American GI's from military bases in her town of Wraysbury. One of the men, a black sergeant from Laleham Air Force base named Jim. Months after he had left for the states, Keeler discovered she was pregnant. She tried to abort the baby herself with a knitting needle and as expected, it was a bloody, traumaticatic mess. The child was not aborted, but born prematurely on 17 April 1959 and lived just six days.

That summer Keeler left Wraysbury, and an unhappy life, for a lifeexcitementment and adventure in London.

She waitressed at a restaurant in Baker Street where she soon met Maureen O'Connor, a girl who worked at Murray's Cabaret Club in Soho. O'Connor introduced Keeler to the owner, Percy Murray, who hired her almost immediately as a topless showgirl. Part of a showgirl's work then, as now, involved encouraging them to buy more drinks by sitting with the customers between acts.

One night, a rich Arab customer, accompanied by a starlet and another man, came to the club. The other man was Dr. Stephen Ward. Ward was a society osteopath who mixed in influential circles, presumably for introducing pretty party girls to the aristocratic set. Charming Keeler with compliments regarding how "wonderful" she was in the show, Ward wormed his way into getting her phone number.

The next day, Ward called Keeler three times; she blew him off. But he turned up at her family's home in Wraysbury and charmed her mother into Keeler giving him one date. On the second date Ward asked Keeler to move into his flat in Bayswater.

Keeler agreed; she was an attractive woman alone in a big city and Ward could give her security and companionship. Ward did not pester her for sex like most men, and Kereferredfered to their liarrangementsments as like that of a 'brother and sister'. Some time after meeting Ward, Keeler met a new dancer at the club, Mandy Rice-Davies.

Rice-Davies has been quoted as saying "It was dislike at first sight" and Keeler apparently felt the same, but as both girls found themselves at the same parties, they became companions if not friends. Not only did they compliment eachother well as far as personality, the two also worked well in the bedroom, earning themselves money for clothes and entertainment purposes.

During the scandal, Ward was charged with living on the "immoral earnings" of Keeler and Rice-Davies and running a brothel in his home. Keeler has strenuously denied this. She claims Ward used women and sex not for cash, but to gain access to the affluent and influence his rich peers. Keeler also claims Ward was a spy for the Soviet Union and that asked her to do work for him. Tasks included were to get information from Profumo about the placing of nuclear warheads in West Germanydroppingoping off letters at the Soviet Embassy. Keeler claims that once while water-skiing Ward had tried to kill her because he feared she was going to blow the whistle on him. (Ward was prosecuted but committed suicide on the very last day of the trial -- before the jury reached their verdict.) But back to Keeler's story...

In July of 1961, after swimming in the buff in Lord Astor's pool, Keeler met both Profumo and Ivanov. The two vied for Keeler's attention. Keeler howepreferredfered Ivanov, believing he was a real mans man. But one drive around London in the ministerial limousine, and Keeler was smitten by his aura of power. The affair lasted about a month before Profumo called it quits for reasons of propriety.

By November Keeler had a number of lovers. General Ayub Khan, then military dictator of Pakistan, makes the list. But two rivals, West Indian men, Aloysius "Lucky" Gordon and Johnny Edgecombe, would lead to the discovery of her affair with Profumo.

Gordon was jealously infatuated with Keeler. He had assaulted Keeler in the street and she alleges he held her hostage for two days with an axe. (Keeler dropped charges for the latter incident due to appeals from Gordon's brother who feared that Gordon would get a long sentence because of his criminal record for violence.)

After rejecting Gordon for the last time, Keeler bought a gun to protect herself from him. She also enlisted Edgecombe to help with her security. This led to Edgecombe and Gordon meting face-to-face in 27 October 1962 at a Soho club. A confrontation ensued, and Edgecombe slit Gordon's face with a knife -- Gordon's wound needed 17 stitches.

Edgecombe quickly went into hiding from the police. Keeler, in fear for her life, changed address so that Gordon could not find her. After a few weeks, Edgecomb realized that he could not remain in hiding indefinitely. He asked Keeler to help him find a lawyer so he could surrender himself to the police. But as Edgecombe had taken another lover, a jealous Keeler refused, telling him that not only would she not help him, but that she planned to testify against him in court.

Obviously outraged by Keeler's decision, Edgecombe showed up outside Ward's flat on December 14, 1962. Keeler was there visiting Rice-Davies; she refused to let him in. Incensed, Edgecombe used the gun that had once belonged to Keeler to shoot at the flat door resulting in enough noise to startle neighbours. Quickly the area was teaming with police and journalists. Edgecombe managed to get away in a taxi, but was later arrested at his Brentford flat.

It was during the investigation to this incident that the details of Keeler's affair with Profumo were discovered. Keeler tried to escape to Spain, and a ridiculous chase ensued as the entourage of reporters pursued her through Europe.

Keeler was found guilty on unrelated perjury charges for not attending as a witness in the trial regarding Gordon's attack. She was imprisoned for nine months in Holloway Prison.

Keeler changed her name, took a job, and when her past has caught up with her, she's been fired. She had two children, from two different fathers. She is said to be estranged from one son yet close to the other.

Today she lives in a council owned flat in north London with her cat.

When Profumo died (March 10, 2006), Keeler said she had not been in love with him as he was so many years older than her.

More than 40 years later Keeler is still bewildered by what happened. She has made public claims that Ward and herself were used as a "smokescreen" by the establishment who wanted the focus kept on the racier aspects of the story, concealing the serious breach of British security. Yeah, like that would ever happen (wink).

The urban myth that the photograph of Christine Keeler astride an Arne Jacobson chair was taken when she was a model is false in more senses than one... Find out more about Lewis Morley's famous nude portrait of Christine Keeler.

Keeler has written several autobiographies; these along with other books on Keeler and the Profumo Scandal are available at Amazon:

Scandal 63 by Clive Irving, Jeremy Wallington, Ron Hall (1964 version shown, also a 1963 version)

Sex Scandals (1985)

Scandal (1989)

The Naked Spy (1992)

The Truth at Last: My Story (2001)

The Trial of Stephen Ward by Ludovic Kennedy (available as the 1988 reprint of the 1964 paperback)

And at Abe, you can still find Nothing But... by Christine Keeler with Sandy Fawkes (1983).

In 1989 Scandal the movie was made, starring John Hurt, Joanne Whalley, Bridget Fonda, and Ian McKellen.

Wicked Baby by Tara Hanks (2005) is a novella based on Christine Keeler & John Profumo.

If you don't like the prices at Amazon, use the Abe search box on the sidebar; or try ebay for Christine Keeler items.

Hipster Cards

Hipster has free ecards with fun retro themes & images. My favorites, are the Pulp Fiction Cards, of course!

The Not-So-Silent Rita Hayworth Post

Sexy Rita Hayworth and Merv Griffin sang a duet in 1971 on Merv's show. While she sang for herself on the show (and Carol Burnett's), her movie songs were sung by Anita Ellis, Nan Wynn & Martha Mears.

The song was titled I'm Old Fashioned, and Rita was 53 years old.

Thirty years prior, Rita's career was launched with this photo by Life photographer Bob Landry. The photo never made the cover of the magazine. Amazing when you consider this pinup sold more than 5 million copies -- only Betty Grable sold more.

The photo itself is so popular that it has legends of its own:

"One story has it that the photo was taken in Hayworth's own bedroom, but another suggests that she knelt on a bed on the movie set. The sexy lace nightie was either made by the press agent's mother or came from Columbia Pictures' prop department. A flashbulb may or may not have failed -- sculpting the shadow on Hayworth's chest. One rumor has it that someone told Hayworth to take a deep breath before the famous shot, making the image even more provocative."

Click here for more on the iconic Life photo.

Many thanks to Sex-Kitten.net for hosting the audio file!

Anyone Know More About Storks Being a "Dirty Bird"?

This is a patch I found at an estate sale, but I know little about it...

Embroidered on the green velvet, is a stork delivering a baby. The text reads "The Stork Is A Dirty Bird".

I grabbed it up, for such a stork referencing the old myths of where babies come from fits my perception of my collection. (And I do have quite a few very innocent stork items for such reasons -- plus, storks are entertaining as they go from cute to comical.) But I have no information on what significance the saying has, nor a clue as to who would wear such a patch (or perhaps it is a pocket due to its shape?).

I figured the internet would clue me in on the history, but no luck. If you have more information, post a comment or email me. Thanks!

Dirty Jokes Collectibles

When I started collecting naughty bits of history, I used to ignore the risque humor items. I thought they were too silly, and focused on publications, postcards, and of course pinups.

But somewhere along the line (a line every collector realizes at some point is blurry), I allowed myself to include the gag items. The glassware, ashtrays etc with dirty jokes and cartoons printed on them.

At the left, a circa 1960's square porcelain dish or ashtray, made in Japan, with a buxom blonde sitting across the desk from her surprised doctor. It reads "MEALS? Thought you said three MALES a day!"

(A double whammy -- a sex joke and a blonde joke!)

At the right, a black glass rectangular ashtray, circa 1960's, featuring what appears to be a nude woman hiding her nakedness behind her large fan.

At the top it reads "As the Fan Dancer said to her fan..." and at the near bottom right, "I'll never let you down!" At the very bottom it reads "Happy Birthday!"

One guesses that this ashtray was purchased by the older-set who had not fully adopted the freedom of the 60's youth, and still found burlesque outrageous.

The art reminds me of those naughty cards you still find in adult stores -- hell, even the shape -- a big rectangle -- remains the same.

Speaking of Photographers & Bettie Page...

As found on eBay...

"Bettie Page poses in this white see-through shortie negligee designed and sewn by photographer Bunny Yeager. Bunny chose this material to make the negligee because she could not buy a negligee this sheer in stores. Because Bunny wanted to show the flame of the candle, she had to shoot this photo at one tenth of a second at f 8 using black and white film and 2 floodlights with No. 2 bulbs. A spotlite was put on the black background so that Bettie's hair would not blend in with the background. Bettie is kneeling on a white shag rug which was a popular kind of rug in homes in the 1950s. Bunny Yeager has signed this print and is offering it for sale."

Find more Bunny Yeager photographs in her eBay store.

Rumor Has It...

That Rick Whitten-Klaw, the grandson of Irving Klaw, has written and his agent is shopping his book Irving Klaw, Pin-Up King: or, How My Grandfather Incited the Sexual Revolution. This will be the first ever book length biography of Irving Klaw.

Rick is the author of Geek Confidential: Echoes From the 21st Century from MonkeyBrain, Inc., and has written for The Austin Chronicle: The Notorious Irving Klaw and Little Underground Worlds: Mary Harron on 'Bettie Page'.

Rick says, "The book will be part memoir about my discoveries about my grandfather and part biography. I've gotten the blessings of his surviving son (my uncle) and Ira Kramer, who currently owns the family business."

Victorian Love Letters

From a rich young Gentleman, to a beautiful young Lady without a fortune.

Miss Sophia,

It is a general reflection against the manners of the present age, that marriage is only considered as one of those methods by which avarice may be satisfied, and property increased; that neither the characters nor accomplishments of the woman are much regarded, her merit being estimated by the thousands of her fortune. I acknowledge that the accusation is too true, and to that may be ascribed many unhappy matches we daily meet with; for how is it possible that those should ever have the same affection for each other, who were forced to comply with terms to which they had the utmost aversion; as if they had been allowed to consult their own inclinations, and gave their hands where they had engaged their hearts. For my own part, I have been always determined to consult my own inclinations, where there is the least appearance of happiness; and having an easy independency, am not anxious about increasing it; being well convinced, that in all states the middle one is the best. I mean neither poverty nor riches; which leads me to the discovery of a passion which I have long endeavored to conceal.

The opportunities which I have had of conversing with you at Mrs. A's have at last convinced me that merit and riches are far from being connected, and that a woman may have those qualifications necessary to adorn her sex, although adverse fortune has denied her money. I am sure that all those virtues necessary to make me happy in the marriage state, are centered in you; and whatever objection you may have to my person, yet I hope there can't be none to my character; and if you will consent to be mine, it shall be my constant study to make your life agreeable, and under the endearing character of husband, endeavor to supply your early loss of the best of parents. I shall expect your answer as soon as possible, for I wait for it with the utmost impatience.

I am your affectionate lover.

The young Lady's Answer.

Sir,
I received your letter yesterday, and gratitude for the generous proposal which you have made, obliges me to thank you heartily for the contents.

As I have no objection to either your person or character, you will give me leave to deal sincerely, and state those things which at present bear weight with me, and perhaps must ever remain unanswered, and hinder me from entering into that state against which I have not the least aversion.

You well know (at least I imagine so) that the proposal you have made to me is a secret both to your relations and friends; and would you desire me to run precipitately into the marriage state, where I have the greatest reason to fear that I shall be looked upon with contempt, by those whom nature had connected me with; I should consider myself obliged to promote the happiness of my husband; and how consistent would a step of that nature be with such a resolution? You know that I was left an orphan, and had it not been for the pious care of Mrs. A. must have been brought up in a state of servitude. You know that I have no fortune; and were I to accept your offer, it would lay me under such obligations as must destroy my liberty. Gratitude and love are two very different things. The one supposes a benefit received, whereas the other is a free act of the will. Suppose me raised to the joint possession of your fortune, could I call it mine unless I have brought you something as an equivalent? or, have I not great reason to fear that you yourself my consider me as under obligations inconsistent with the character of a wife? I acknowledge the great generosity of your offer, and would consider myself highly honored, could I prevail with myself to prefer to pace of mind, the enjoyment of an affluent fortune. But as I have been very sincere in my answer, so let me beg, that you will endeavor to eradicate a passion, which if nourished longer, may prove fatal to us both.

I am, sir,
With the greatest, &c

The Gentleman's Reply.

Dear Sophia,

Was it not cruel to start so many objections? or could you suppose me capable of so base an action, as to destroy your freedom and peace of mind? or do you think that I am capable of ever forgetting you, or being happy in the enjoyment of another? for affection's sake, do not mention gratitude any more. Your many virtues entitle you to much more than I am able to give; but all that I have shall be yours. With respect to my relations, I have none to consult with besides my mother and my uncle, and their consent, and even approbation, are already obtained. You have often heard my mother declare, that she preferred my happiness with a woman of virtue, to the possession of the greatest fortune; and though I forgot to mention it, yet I had communicated my sentiments to you before I had opened my mind to you. Let me beg that you will lay aside all those unnecessary scruples, which only serve to make one unhappy who is already struggling under all the anxieties of real and genuine love. It is in your power, my dear, to make me happy, and none else can. I cannot enjoy one moment's rest till I have your answer, and then the happy day shall be fixed. Let me beg that you will not start any more objections, unless you are my real enemy: but your tender nature cannot suffer you to be cruel. Be mine my dear, and I am yours forever. My servant shall wait for the answer to your sincere lover, whose whole happiness is centered in you.

I am, &c.

The Lady's Answer.

Sir,

I find that when one of your sex forms a resolution, you are determined to go through, whatever be the event. Your answer to my first objections, I must confess, is satisfactory. I wish that I could say so of others; but I find that if I must comply, I shall be obliged to trust the remainder to yourself. Perhaps this is always the case, and even the most cautious have been deceived. However, sir, I have communicated the contents of your letter to Mrs. A. as you know she has been to me as a parent. She has not any objection, and I am at last resolved to comply. I must give myself up to you as a poor friendless orphan, and shall endeavor to act consistent with the rules laid down and enforced by our holy religion: and if you should so far deviate from the paths of virtue, as to upbraid me with poverty, I have no friend to complain to, but God, who is the father of the fatherless. But I have a better opinion of you than to entertain any such fears. I have left the time to your own appointment, and let me beg that you will continue in the practice of that virtuous education which you have received. Virtue is its own reward, and I cannot be unhappy with the man who prefers the duties of religion to gaiety and dissipation.

I am yours sincerely.

Read more at Miss Mary's.

When one tosses the old postcards, letters, ephemera (and scrapbooks of the same), one throws out such documentation of relationships and persons of the past... This (and the absense of vibrators) are mentioned in Estate Sales and Women's Lives.

Nice Gams

Sure, you've likely heard that women penciled 'seams' on the backs of their legs during WWII, but did you know that this wasn't because silk stockings weren't available, but rather due to the shortage of nylon stockings? Did you know that the inventor committed suicide before stockings made their debut? Find out this & more in The Invention and Curious History of Nylon Stockings. (The article also has historical photographs of Stocking Panic, Nylon Riots, Miss Chemistry and more.)

For more on vintage nylon stockings, read why Steve collects them (nice pics too!)

Masturbation

The Fatal Consequences of Masturbation, published in 1844.

And a more modern look at masturbation in a 1945 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.