dramatic

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 Mr [?] Parnell,

Author: 
James Albery
Publication details: 
27 March 1871, Upper Richmond Road, Putney.
£20.00

English dramatist (1838-89). One page, 12mo, on mourning paper. "I am sorry I forgot the card. Did you get the stalls all right / In any way I can serve you / I am / Yours faithfully / J. Albery". Docketed in a small hand in ink. Minimal loss to one corner. Bearing traces of previous mounting.

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 fragment signed,

Author: 
James Sheridan Knowles
Publication details: 
no date or place.
£25.00

Irish-born playwright (1784-1862). A cutting from a letter of irregular shape, 12mo, made by an autograph hunter. "Thank you my dear fellow. Tho' on the score of friendship I was quite well satisfied before as I am now / Yours ever / J. S. Knowles." Docketed on the otherwise blank reverse "The autograph of Mr. Sheridan Knowles, the author of the plays called "Virginius," William Tell, &c. &c.". -"

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 [Mary H.] Tennyson,

Author: 
Henry Neville [Thomas Henry Gartside Neville]
Publication details: 
5 December 1907, with letterhead Crescent House, Queen's Crescent.
£25.00

English actor-manager (1837-1910). "Dear Miss Tennyson, / "Reading a play" is very actable, and would suit an actor like Chas. Collett, & important & voluble, & there are several who would make a success of it. But I'm afraid I am not one of them. Sorry to have kept the MS. so long. [...] MS. [not present] returned herewith registered."

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 letter signed to Henri Weiss,

Author: 
Henry Neville [Thomas Henry Gartside Neville]
Publication details: 
Tuesday [no date], addressed c/o H. Sasson, 8 Ruskin Mansions, Club Gardens, West Kensington.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1837-1910). Interesting letter exemplifying the importance of dentistry to the acting profession. 3 pp, 12mo, on mourning paper. "You know I've been away, on Tour with the "Lions" and after that, I took a jaunt to Tronville & Rouen, just returned with a broken tooth. - I've had to be patched up on tour, & have quite given up the idea of a good looking mouth. Any way I shall be glad if you will put a lower front tooth in. I will come to you to-morrow Wednesday afternoon about 3.30. in the hope you'll be free.

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 letter signed to the actress Mary H. Tennyson,

Author: 
Henry Neville [Thomas Henry Gartside Neville]
Publication details: 
postmarked 16 June 1880, with embossment of the Garrick Club.
£20.00

English actor-manager (1837-1910). One page, 12mo, in stamped envelope adressed in autograph. "Dear Miss Tennyson. / There are no vacancies at present at the Adelphi. I shall be happy to remember you when opportunity affords - With congratulations on your progress. / Yours very truly / Henry G. Neville

Autograph letter signed to unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
Frederick Henry Yates
Publication details: 
December 20 (no year), <?> or Adelphi Theatre.
£50.00

English comic actor (1795-1842) and manager of the Adelphi Theatre. 2 pp, 4to. Eccentric handwriting, of uncertain decipherment. "We must trouble you by return of Post to send us up the last tune but one & the finale to the Pantomime / Make Puck if you please come out of the Fairy Mounds tell Harlequin & Columbine the Chace is done. Then loves rewards and change to the last tune the Fairy Temple - Then dance & a short finale - one verse <?> & Chorus - / [...] / I hope all goes well with you. We are all alive - Let us have it by return of post".

Autograph letters signed (x 2) and one autograph note signed to Mary H. Folkard and the draft of one of her replies,

Author: 
Henry Neville [Thomas Henry Gartside Neville]
Publication details: 
circa 1878.
£45.00

English actor-manager (1837-1910). Note, undated, Studio, 524 Oxford Street, Marble Arch, 2 pp, 12mo, somewhat grubby. He suggests a time for him to see her the following day. Letter, "Friday" (no date), on letterhead of the Olympic Theatre, 2 pp, 12mo. "Would you mind letting me hear your voice. I think I could offer you Florette in the "Orphans" if you felt that kind of part, - perhaps you would kindly give me a call tomorrow Saturday at about 12, at the Theatre." Letter, 5 September 1878, on letterhead of the Olympic Theatre, 2 pp, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph.

Autograph note signed to Mrs [?] Lewis,

Author: 
Henry Neville [Thomas Henry Gartside Neville]
Publication details: 
21 June 1890, no place.
£12.00

English actor-manager (1837-1910). One page, on monogrammed paper. "Dear Mrs. Lewis. / I shall be delighted to accept your kind invitation for the 4th July. / Sincerely yours / Henry Neville". Heavily creased and with slight tear to one edge, and with traces of paper and glue on reverse of blank second leaf.

Autograph letter signed to [L. E.] Berman,

Author: 
Herbert Norris
Publication details: 
10 December 1939, with letterhead Godbegot, Thame, Oxon.
£20.00

Costume architect and archaeologist (died 1950). He was delighted to hear from him again, and is glad that his mother is still with him. "I may be free from my refugee after Christmas: then my one spare room would be free. You might be disposed to come down for a night [...] May the bold venture be a gigantic success".

one autograph letter signed to Mary Folkard,

Author: 
Edward Rose
Publication details: 
5 March 1880, 4 Worcester Street.
£20.00

Dramatist (1849-1904). One page, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. "I am very much obliged for the ticket, and will certainly go. I am so glad you have got such a good chance, and I will "signify the same" (i.e. my gladness) "in the usual way".

autograph letter signed to [?] Pemberton,

Author: 
Edward Terry
Publication details: 
5 August 1890, Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.
£20.00

English actor-manager (1844-1912). On two pieces of paper. 2 pp, 12mo and one page, 8vo, the second piece with the letterhead of Terry's Theatre in the Strand. "Here again in Harness Thank Goodness - Royalty Glasgow next week then Brum where I hope to see you. Cannot tell you where I shall stay yet as my People are away in Wales did you see the enclosed / Kind regards to all yours / from yours / E. Terry". Postscript on second piece of paper: "P.S.

Photograph signed,

Author: 
Hermann Vezin
Publication details: 
no date or place.
£20.00

Actor and teacher of elocution (1829-1910). Small publicity portrait of a stern-looking Vezin, glowering in an open-necked white shirt. Printed on thin art paper, 2¾ by 1¾ inches, with large white border, on which, "Yours truly / Hermann Vezin." Not in the best of condition: creased, grubby, and with tears to the borders.

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 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 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.

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 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.

autograph note signed to Mrs [?] Scott,

Author: 
Charles Wyndham
Publication details: 
27 July [no year], on letterhead of the Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly.
£15.00

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.

Typed letter signed to L. E. Berman,

Author: 
Bronson Albery
Publication details: 
7 July 1943, on the letterhead of the New Theatre, St Martin's Lane.
£20.00

English theatre manager (1881-1971). One page, 4to. He thanks him for his note about "A Woman of No Importance". In an apparent reference to a letter written by him to The Sunday Times about that newspaper's drama critic James Agate (1877-1947) he writes: "My letter was somewhat emasculated, as not only was a sentence left out in the middle, but the concluding sentence ran as follows: - / "Mr. Agate will never cease being provocative but his influence will necessarily diminish in proportion to the contempt he feels for his job.

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 notes signed (x 3).

Author: 
Charles James Mathews
Publication details: 
one undated, the others 1874 and 1875.
£60.00

Actor-manager (1803-78) at the Adelphi and Covent Garden Theatres.The first two, dinner invitations addressed to "My dear Pal", dated 22 January 1874 and 2 May 1875, both with letterhead 59 Belgrave Road, South Belgravia. The first, one page, cropped, 16mo., the second, one page, 12mo. The third, to "My dear Lane", one page, 12mo. " "One hour" is played for you all next week. What would you have more?" All three show traces of mounts. Three items,

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 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.

one autograph note signed to Mr <? Buster>,

Author: 
Charles Wyndham
Publication details: 
19 October [no year], on letterhead of Wyndham's Theatre, Charing Cross Road.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 8vo. "Dear Mr / Thanks for enclosure & letter. / Yrs sincly / Charles Wyndham". Grubby, ruckled, and with traces of previous mounting on blank reverse.

Autograph letter signed to Mrs [?] Villiers,

Author: 
E. G. Harcourt-Williams
Publication details: 
20 July (no year), with letterhead Permanent address High Bank Addiscombe Croydon
£20.00

Actor and producer (1880-1957). 2 pp, 4to. He thanks her for taking an interest in his work. "Yes - you are right I have a wonderful mother. / Wasn't it dreadful on Saturday afternoon! I thought it brave of you to sit it through." Somewhat grubby and creased.

Syndicate content