ACTOR

Autograph note signed to Miss <Edna Orflere?>,

Author: 
Sir George Alexander (George Alexander Gibb Samson), Theatre Manager
Publication details: 
9 June 1906, on letterhead of the St James's Theatre, King Street, St James's.
£15.00

One page, 12mo. Only partially decipherable, due to Alexander's dreadful handwriting, which is reminiscent of that of his contemporary Charles Wyndham. "I shall be pleased to see you if you [...] one night next week. / Sincerely / George Alexander".

Autograph note signed to Mr <Spielmann?>,

Author: 
Sir George Alexander (George Alexander Gibb Samson), Theatre Manager
Publication details: 
"Thursday" (no date), with letterhead 57 Pont Street.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. One page, 12mo. "We will call for you at about 10.30 tomorrow morning. It is very good of you."

Autograph note signed,

Author: 
Sir George Alexander (George Alexander Gibb Samson), Theatre Manager
Publication details: 
undated, on letterhead of the St James's Theatre, King Street, St James's.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. One page, 12mo, evidently in response to a request for an autograph. "With pleasure / Yours truly / George Alexander". Negligible traces of previous mounting on reverse of blank second leaf.

Autograph note signed and one typed letter signed to Dennis Eadie,

Author: 
George Pleydell Bancroft
Publication details: 
12 and 31 May 1926.
£15.00

Clerk of Assize for the Midland Circuit (1868-1956), son of the actor Sir Squire Bancroft (1841-1926) and the actress Marie Effie Wilton (1839-1921). The letter, 12 May 1926, one page, 8vo, on mourning paper, with embossment White Lodge, Westgate-on-sea. "Pray excuse a typewritten letter. / To certain specified "comrades of the Stage, members of the Garrick Club, in grateful remembrance of their friendship", my father by his Will bequeathes a souvenir.

Autograph note signed to J. P. Simpson,

Author: 
Henry James Byron
Publication details: 
26 October [no year], Globe Theatre, with letterhead of the Byron crest and motto.
£25.00

Dramatist and actor (1834-84). One page, 12mo. "My dear Simpson: / I am getting the dates of the performances and sums paid and in a day or two will call on you and fix up the affair." Traces of glue and paper to the blank reverse.

Autograph notes signed (x 5).

Author: 
Edward Willard
Publication details: 
1903-1914.
£40.00

English actor (1853-1915), admired for his melodramatic villains. The first, to Mr Philip, 14 December 1903, St. James's Theatre, one page, 12mo. "Herewith a cheque for one guinea in exchange for the dinner ticket you sent me a week or so since". The other three all written to Allan Gomme in 1914, with the letterhead 29 St. James's Street. The first of these, March 12, one page, 12mo. "I shall have great pleasure in attending the Inauguration Ceremony of the Burbage Memorial on Monday next, and the luncheon afterwards". The second, March 13, one page 12mo.

Autograph letter signed to [Mary H.] Folkard,

Author: 
Henry Neville [Thomas Henry Gartside Neville]
Publication details: 
18 July 1907, London.
£20.00

English actor-manager (1837-1910). 4 pp, 12mo. Interesting letter in which he declines a play. "Its an awful shame to have kept your mss. so long, but I think I told you, I was too deep in promises &c. to give immediate attention! / If domestic Drama were popular now, I should not hesitate to play yours, it is full of pure incident and effective situations, and the dialogue is clear and interesting. [...] In my opinion this is not big & bold enough for "Drama" and not "elegant" enough or adapted to "up to date" models. [...]" Somewhat grubby.

Autograph letter signed to unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
J.B. Buckstone
Publication details: 
Tuesday (no date), T. R. Haymarket.
£50.00

English comic actor and dramatist (1802-79). 2 pp, 12mo. Concerning the staging of a new play. "Yates has the first & 2d acts complete - It must be in 4 parts / I am now on the 4th.: when can I have the sheets & illustrations of the entire romance?" Details of the first two acts follow. "When I get your work complete a very few days will complete me, - I leave town on the 20th of this month for a fortnight and am anxious to (indeed I must) finish before I start / Rodwell is composing "Jolly Rose" for Bedford to sing at Woods party." Somewhat grubby, with browning in the margins.

Autograph note signed to Miss [?] Paget,

Author: 
Frank Robert Benson
Publication details: 
no date, 58 Ashley Gardens, Westminster.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1858-1939), knighted in 1916. One page, 8vo. "Dear Miss Paget. / Of course I remember you. I will be delighted to see your protege. / Yours sincerely / F R Benson". Creasing to one corner, and traces of previous mounting on reverse.

Autograph letter signed to [?] Farquhar,

Author: 
John Billington
Publication details: 
14 April 1895, 34 Burghley Road, Highgate Road.
£15.00

English actor (1830-1904). One page, 12mo. "My dear Farquhar / Quite right! I had already written to Mr. Lumley on the subject & expect him to Rehearsal on Monday. Hope Coventry's trip has done him good."

Autograph letters signed (x 2).

Author: 
John Hare [Fairs]
Publication details: 
1895 and 1903.
£30.00

English actor-manager (1844-1921), knighted in 1907. The first, to [?] Burgess, 25 November 1895, on letterhead of the Hôtel Métropole, 2 pp, 8vo. He thanks him for a letter which "my wife & I prize very highly", and says he is sorry that his correspondent will not be able to be present. The second, to "Sir Philip", 27 November 1903, with letterhead 75 Upper Berkeley Street, Portman Square, one page, 8vo.

autograph note signed to unnamed correspondent,

Author: 
[Edward] Seymour Hicks
Publication details: 
undated, but docketted 1928, with letterhead "ON BOARD S.S. "LAURENTIC."
£20.00

English dramatist and actor-manager (1871-1949), knighted in 1935. One page, 8vo. "Just to say au revoir I hope it will not be long before we meet again & until then - the best of good luck / Yours / Seymour Hicks / Ever so many thanks for your jolly wire - / Bless you". Piece of adhesive tape stuck along head of recto.

Autograph note signed,

Author: 
Charles Kean
Publication details: 
no date.
£35.00

English actor-manager (1811-68), the son of Edmund Kean. A piece of paper, 2½ by 4½ inches, mounted on a torn piece of grey paper. The note, written in pencil, gives directions: "Charles Kean / Key-Dell / Horndean / Hants / 9 miles from the Fareham Station on the Gosport line". Docketed in pencil "Kean's hand".

autograph letters signed (x 2).

Author: 
Alfred Sydney Wigan
Publication details: 
13 & 15 April 1869, both addressed from Little Campden House, Camden Hill, and with monogram letterhead.
£35.00

English actor (1814-1878). The first, 2 pp, 12mo, to Admiral Hornly. "The enclosed ticket is very much at your service - Had you been up a few weeks ago, I think I should have cut a better figure in Mrs. Hornley's eyes, than I can in the stupid part I am now acting - [...]". (According to the DNB at this time Wigan was playing Rittmeister Harfthal in Robertson's "Dreams".) The second, to Miss [?] Paterson, 3 pp, 12mo. "I have had the pleasure to send the Admiral a box for the Gaiety for Monday next.

Autograph letters signed (x2) to Mrs [Edith] Cabourn,

Author: 
David Glassford
Publication details: 
1924 and 1929.
£30.00

Actor. The first, 14 December 1924, Chicago, 2 pp, 8vo. He was delighted to receive her letter, and returns its Christmas greetings. "I know you will be having a splendid and happy time, with all your charming Kids around you, and dear old Jack playing Santa Claus. I have been out here for the last four weeks - the finish of our tour in "The Outsider" - for we return to New York next Sunday and disband.

autograph note signed to unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
Alfred Sydney Wigan
Publication details: 
13 October 1869, Little Campden House, Campden Hill, with monogram letterhead.
£45.00

English actor (1814-1878). 2 pp, 8vo, neatly mounted. "James Brown has referred me to you for a character as a general in-door servant - I should be much obliged if you would let me know your experience of his abilities, and of his character for honesty & diligence and sobriety -"

autograph letter signed to Dr [?] Davis,

Author: 
Charles Warner
Publication details: 
no date, King's Villa, Palace Rd, E Moseley.
£15.00

English actor (1846-1909). "Dr Dr. Davis / I have not sufficient time at my disposal to tell you of interview with Mrs. & your son her solution - I have settled to take her house & have paid £50 as deposit. I think you will agree with me that the house is really a much better one than 15. I cannot sufficently thank you Dr. Davis for your - Please accept renewed thanks". Negligible traces of previous mounting.

autograph note signed to unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
Alfred Sydney Wigan
Publication details: 
9 June 1864, Little Campden House, Camden Hill, with armorial letterhead on mourning paper.
£35.00

English actor (1814-1878). One page, 12mo. "My dear Sir, / By all means send me a ticket of our dinner. / Yours truly / Alfred Wigan". The reverse of the second leaf, which shows some traces of paper and glue, is docketed in pencil, "One of the only gentlemen on the stage in / "Still Waters run deep" / by Tom Taylor at Olympic / 1855 / as Simon Strap. / in "An Ill Wind that blows nobody Good" at the Adelphi / made speeches for the Free Traders at the Chrystal [sic] Palace". This last fact is not mentioned in Wigan's DNB entry.

autograph note signed to unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
Charles Warner
Publication details: 
undated, on the letterhead of the Royal Princess's Theatre.
£15.00

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.

Autograph note signed to the editor of "Strand Magazine",

Author: 
Edmund Payne
Publication details: 
30 May 1904, Gaiety Theatre.
£20.00

English actor (died 1914). "Dear Sir / My height is five feet three & a half inches in my half hose". Negligible traces of previous mounting to the blank reverse.

autograph letter signed to Mrs [?] Murray,

Author: 
Arthur Cecil
Publication details: 
13 November 1877, with letterhead 18 Orchard Street, Portman Square.
£20.00

[Real name Arthur Cecil Blunt] English actor (1843-1896). 2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Mrs Murray / I also was sorry not to put in an appearance on Sunday but I had a little work as you know to look over & after Douglas left me in the afternoon so many "casuals" dropped in that I could not well get out." He will have to give up the dinner party he had planned for Sunday, or postpone it till she returns from abroad. "I shall myself go I think to Brighton next Sunday as I can get two days of "the sea the sea the open sea!" " The letter is signed "Arthur Blunt".

Autograph note signed to unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
Edward Askew Sothern
Publication details: 
no date, with letterhead 48 Pall Mall.
£20.00

One page, 12mo, written in purple ink on grey paper. "My dear Sir / Could you lunch with me at 2. on Tuesday at my rooms in Midland Hotel St. Pancras? / Yrs always / E. A. Sothern". With traces of previous mounting to the reverse.

Autograph letter signed to [?] Pemberton,

Author: 
Edward Compton
Publication details: 
20 March 1890, 96 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, on letterhead of the Compton Comedy Co. on Tour.
£20.00

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."

autograph card signed to [John] Cabourn,

Author: 
Ben Webster
Publication details: 
16 December 1904, 31 Bedford Street Strand, with letterhead of the Garrick Club.
£30.00

Actor (1864-1947). 2 pp. "Dear Cabourn, / We are drawn together in the 1st heat of the Billd Handicap - when do you think you will be able to play - the thing is hanging fire a bit."

Autograph letter signed to Lady Ball,

Author: 
Cyril Maude
Publication details: 
16 January [no year], 60 South Audley St.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1862-1951), apparently written to an "angel". "Thank you for your letter. / It is a humorous sketch for 3 or four people lasting 23 minutes with lots of 'Punch' & a wonderfully funny part wh. whould show me off. My offer runs to Easter and all that is if only I can find what they want in advance. Voila!" Negligible traces of previous mounting on blank reverse.

Typed note signed to Mrs Swan,

Author: 
Bernard Miles
Publication details: 
31 May 1952, on letterhead of the Mermaid Theatre Limited.
£25.00

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.

Autograph letters signed (x 2) to the actress Hilda Trevelyan [1880-1859],

Author: 
Cyril Maude
Publication details: 
April 29 and 1 September [no years].
£30.00

English actor-manager (1862-1951). The first, April 29, Rivoli, with letterhead of The Playhouse, Northumberland Avenue, one page, 8vo. "Dear Miss Trevelyan, / Very many congratulations. You are absolutely 'sweet' in the piece. It is so many years since we met. Your performance is beautiful. I wished to come round & see you but didnt like to intrude." The second, 1 September [no year], with letterhead 26 Cleveland Gardens, Lancaster Gate, 2 pp, 12mo. Affectionate letter to "Dear little Manageress" (Trevelyan was for a time co-manageress of the Vaudeville Theatre).

Autograph note signed to Mrs [Edith] Cabourn,

Author: 
Cyril Maude
Publication details: 
19 December [no year], with letterhead Redlap, Dartmouth.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 12mo. "I am so sorry that owing to some money losses I cannot send more for poor Charlie Rocks widow."

Autograph note signed to the actress [Jean] Webster Brough,

Author: 
Cyril Maude
Publication details: 
28 October [no year], with letterhead 22 Bruton Street, Berkeley Square.
£15.00

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.

Autograph note signed to unnamed female correspondent,

Author: 
Cyril Maude
Publication details: 
7 April [no year], with letterhead The Corner, Little Common, Bexhill.
£15.00

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.

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