OPERETTA

Firmly written out, evidently in response to a request for an autograph, on one side of a 10.5 x 11.5 cm piece of paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and spotted, with two folds and group of tiny pinpricks at bottom left. Reads: '”Bother the Flowers that Bloom in the Spring! | Mikado | Your's [sic] faithfully | Geo: Grossmith'. Grossmith's bold signature anachronistically exhibits the 'long s', making his surname look like 'Gropmith'. Grossmith was the original 'Ko-Ko', in the 1885 Savoy Theatre production of 'The Mikado'. It was one of nine Gilbert and Sullivan characters which he created.

First two letters 1p., 4to; third letter 2pp., 4to. All three signed 'John Cartier'. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. In the last letter he states that he has received the 'envelopes', and has 'distributed them round to various singers and musicians who will eventually, I am sure, be sending you a photograph with best wishes'. He apologises for being unable to invite him to visit: 'You see, this is a very tiny flat and, in fact, I am very seldom here for any length of time as my work means continual journeying from place to place for concerts and shows.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dear Miss Randall | I am pleased to sign myself | Yrs. sincerely | Henry A. Lytton'

Printed on both sides of a 21.5 x 28.5 cm piece of thick paper, folded into a 21.5 x 9.5 cm packet, with three panels on the outside and a single page of text within. A nice piece of Savoy Theatre ephemera. Text in purple, with gilt borders, except on the front cover, and with 'The Ancient Arms of the Savoy' in gilt, black, green and orange. In fair condition, lightly aged and ruckled. Two panels of advertisements on the outside, with the programme on the inside also flanked by advertisements.

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. He only met Finck on a few occasions, but offers his condolences 'as a Composer of Light Music, and as a former Director of Music at a West End Theatre (Daly's)'. In his view, Finck 'surely had no superior in the art of giving pleasure to others, not only by his personality, but also by his pen.

On his death Finck was described by the Daily Mirror as 'one of the world's greatest writers of light music'. His 'In the Shadows' was one of the last songs played on RMS Titanic before it went down. The collection is in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Items One and Two are in an envelope addressed to Mrs Finck at 122 Finchley Road, with note by her: 'Funeral Cards & names of people at Service'. ONE: Collection of 73 signatures of people attending Finck's funeral service. 5pp., folio. Mostly in pencil. With calling card of 'Mr. Stanley F. Galpin'.

2pp., 12mo. On aged paper, with creasing and short closed tear at foot of leaf (affecting first letter of signature). The letter reads: 'My dear Sir | So many thanks for your most beautiful lines. I should be grateful if you would dedicate them to me | Yrs Truly | Henry A. Lytton'. Lytton gives his Chiswick home address on the reverse.

23pp., 12mo. Stitched pamphlet. In fair condition, on aged and chipped high-acidity paper with floral watermark. Elegantly letterpress printing. Priced at 6d on front cover. The third page carries an 'Index to Music', at the end of which the address in the following - 'Copies of the Music may be obtained at 7, Harpur Street, London, W.C., Price 2s.' - has been altered in manuscript to 'from Miss C. E. Few | Shalford | Guildford'. Excessively scarce: no copies on COPAC or OCLC WorldCat.

1p., 16mo. On a piece of watermarked laid paper, 17 x 10.5 cm. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with a manuscript correction ('tracts' to 'tracks'). In three numbered stanzas, Farnie's version being in effect an entirely new poem: 'This Fish was indeed Oh! | A Woolwich Torpedo, | But Oh! But Oh! | The big whale did not know.' 'Les noces d'Olivette' was first performed in Paris in 1879; Farnie's English language adaptation starring Florence St. John was performed at the Strand Theatre in London from 1880 to 1881.

1p., 4to. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with unobtrusive closed tears along crease lines. 'Mr. Ben Fack [Falk?], the photographer, will, I am sure, give you such a photograph of me as you may select from the assortment he has, if you inform him of your business.' She asks him to send her a sample, if 'the tumblers prove a success, as far as my likeness is concerned [...] If I like it I will possibly order a quantity.'

Small 4to, 4 pp. Bifolium. Text clear and complete. Fair, on browned high-acidity paper. Neat strip of stub from mounting in album still adhering to inner margin of verso of second leaf. Headed 'Words.' All but first chorus in double-column. A mixture of the original 'House that Jack built' with 'Jack and Jill'. Begins with 'Chorus. - "This is the house that Jack built."', the first lines of which are 'Our labours are done, our recompense won, | And anger has been on no back spilt, | So now with one voice we'll laugh and rejoice | As this is the house that Jack built.' Characters are: Mr.

4to: 1 p. Text complete and clear, on aged, spotted and lightly-creased paper. He has exchanged letters with 'Mr Morell' 'with reference to "Faust up to Date" ', but does not believe any contract has yet been arranged. He does not have a copy of 'the Score and Band Parts': 'I should say Mr Geo. Edwardes or Mr Meyer Lutz has these.' Sims co-wrote 'Faust up to Date' with Henry Pettitt. The music was by Lutz. It was produced by Edwardes, and first performed at the Gaiety Theatre, London, on 30 October 1888.