[Ernest Lauri, Australian actor and singer, ‘The Singing Anzac’.] Autograph Letter Signed [to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope], requesting tickets, as an Australian theatre correspondent, to the London production of South Pacific.

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) 1p, 4to. Aged and creased, on discoloured high-acidity paper. Folded twice for postage, and with closed tear at head of vertical fold. Slight damage and rust staining from removal of staple. The letterhead incorporates two photographic portraits of Lauri, with press comment from ‘Everyone’s Magazine’ and career resume beginning: ‘Ernest Lauri / (The Singing Anzac) / STARRED IN AUSTRALIAN PICTURES / Versatile Vocalist and Monologist’. Macqueen-Pope is not named, but is presumably the recipient. Begins: ‘Dear Sir / I will be in London on 15/4/52 after 3 1/2 months in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria[,] Switzerland & France where as an over-seas correspondent I have been reviewing the “theatre”’. He asks for seats [at Drury Lane], to “write up” South Pacific for Australia where I am advised it is going to be produced in the near future. I would also be glad of any information you could let me have for over-seas reading.’ Signed ‘Ernest Lauri J. P. / Australia House / Strand / London’.