Autograph Letters

Bibliographer (1807-1863). Total 5pp., three 8vo, one 4to, mainly concerning his exploration of his own family history (Boteville, etc.).

English actor (1846-1909). One page, 8vo. "Dear Sir / If I can get original Cast I shall do a scene from 'Drink" / Yours faithfully / Charles Warner". Warner's most memorable part was Coupeau in 'Drink' (1879), an adaptation of Zola's 'L'Assommoir'. Not in the best of condition: creased, dusty and torn.

Dion Boucicault the younger. Actor-manager (1859-1929), son of the actor and dramatist. Formal acceptance of an invitation in the third person. "Mr Boucicault accepts with pleasure Mr. & Mrs George 's invitation for Tuesday July 4." Paper and glue from previous mounting on blank reverese.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. Of difficult decipherment, due to Wyndham's truly diabolical handwriting. "As you so kindly said you would both come & spend a little time with me at St Moritz, it may be as well to tell you that I leave town tomorrow & shall arrive at my destination 2 weeks from now. / A line to the Hotel St Moritz after 2 weeks [...] so that I may secure you comfortable quarters". Creased, and with closed tear to the edge of both leaves.

Liberal politician (1823-98). 4 pp, 12mo. "The Railway people object strongly to the Post Office Clause in my Railway Bill, & are going to move an amendment to strike it out in Committee. I think it wd. be well if you wd. send somebody to represent the P. O, and to meet two or three Railway Managers here, in order, if possible, to come to some agreement. / If your man wd. write to Mr. Malcolm of the Bd. of T. tomorrow, he wd. arrange for the interview on an early day, perhaps Monday". Biographical cutting attached at foot of verso of second leaf.

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 12mo, cropped to an uneven shape. "Dear Miss Webster Brough / How very very kind of you to write like that. I have so greatly appreciated your thoughtfulness. I loved your dear father - bless him / Yours sincerely / Cyril Maude". Negligible traces of previous mounting at head of page.

English actor-manager (1854-1918). One page, 8vo. "My dear Pemberton / We had a beastly passage over here, have both been seedy ever since, & only just able to crawl through our routine work I shall not attempt to sit down to the Play until Sunday, but on that day I will write you all about the new Scenario."

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 12mo. "I have I regret to say already promised to do more than I ought to during this season, I mean in addition to all my regular work & so I am very sorry I cannot do what you suggest, although I am honoured by the wish of your Committee." With traces of previous mounting to the reverse of the blank second leaf.

Miscellaneous writer, Quaker (1792-1879). One page, 12mo, saying simply "The Letter is all right. Thank you".

Civil engineer (1804-63). 2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Sir / Will you excuse the Son of your old Surveyor General so far as to send me a printed copy of the regulations under which Boys come for examination at Woolwich Academy: My Boy will probably be finding his way there & I want to prepare him to meet the Points of examination: - If you have not any of the printed copies perhaps by passing this not into an adjoining room you will be able to send one by my messenger who will wait, & you will much oblige yours faithfull / W. S. Moorsom".

Author (1826-1875). 2 pp, 12mo. "[...] You got me into a d - d mess with Nicholson but I promised him to say nothing about it so Mum's the word / Yours in expectation of a True Hoodian morceau". Traces of mount stuck to reverse.

English actor and director (1907-1991), kinghted in 1969. One page, 12mo. "The fact that our second Mermaid Festival will run for six weeks instead of four makes it possible for us to invite a number of new subscribers. We are therefore sending you the enclosed particulars. / If you would like to join, would you please let us know as soon as possible, as accommodation is very limited and our subscription list rapidly filling up!" Ink drawing of a woman's profile on the reverse.

Authoress. 2pp., 8vo, some staining marginally affecting text. She has drawn a devil carrying a book engulfed by flames with a woman hand on head saying "What & leave the world no copy". She adds a "Quotation by the Saturday Review" "Go go to H- & say I sent thee thither". She apologises for using half sheets and signs.

Stage historian. One page, 8vo.He thanks Shorter for the loan of some books and asks for another.

Poet and man of letters (1784-1842). He reports that Chantrey (presumably the sculptor) left home and had "professional matters" to keep him away for some time. Asker[Asher?] might not be contactable, though he will"chance" a letter to him.

Surgeon (1805-1873). He discusses the book, "Bell on Expressions" which he is sending, discussing the illustrations tongue-in-cheek.

Miscellaneous writer, journalist, Republican (1767-1840). 8vo. He complains that he forgot to leave his name for Phillips and his friends so that they could not enter the theatre. He asks that he make sure he does "this evening" with underlinings and emphatic statements.

Judge, jurist, and ecclesiatical lawyer (1845-1929). 3pp., 12mo, giving thanks for valuable information, describing his researches ("Rimbault's book" and correspondence), alluding to cheque books which he has inspected and others he wishes to inspect. He anticipates calling and seeing his correspondent's "Patents or Warrants"

Diplomat. One page, 8vo. He asks for a pair of Chinese slippers to be added to her brother's account and warns her against a "maddish charlatan" with whom he has crossed swords.

Novelist (1864-1930). He announces the birth of his first child, with comment on its colour.

Irish war correspondent amd miscellaneous writer (1820-1907). 2pp., 8vo. One signed twice by Russell, the other initialled. The statement gives details of three articles contributed to the Miscellany, including "The Lewis - What is it?".

Canadian lawyer and English Master of the Rolls (1752-1832). Part of ALS signed, referring to "Sir Alexr Cochrane's propositions as to prizes that may be taken in conjunct expeditions on the coast of America" on which he does not feel able to give directions.

American loyalist. He is returning a policy from which his "Liquors" have been mistakenly excluded. He asks for his cellar to be insured.

Sculptor (1775-1856). Work takes precedence over "gaieties" so he cannot accept an invitation.

Irish war correspondent. 2pp., 8vo. He produces some badinage about an invitation card, then comments on the situation in Egypt: "I wish the Powers - which they aren't by the by - had let our fat friend Ismail [Pasha] alone just tightening the bit a little & and then there would be none of this darkness over the land of Egypt . . . ", concluding with jocular mis-spellings of "poetical".

Irish civil servant ((1861-1915). He hopes for a meeting in London. "I want very much to see you for a few minutes".

General. One page, 8vo. He describes his enclosure of a banker's order to pay the rent on a property he is about to occupy.

Politician and art collector (d.1854). He thanks him for the tract on the Militia Bill, giving his opinion of its cogent argument against the measure.

Pianist. 2 sides. He accepts an invitation to play a solo for the "Sick Childre (sic) Hospital" adding his choice of music for the programme.

French playwright. One page, 12mo. In French. He declares in inflated terms his inability to dine with him on a certain day.