THEATRE

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper, with some repair, and traces of stub from mount still adhering. Addressed on reverse of second leaf, with postmarks, to 'Messrs Beilby & Co | Printing Ink Manufacturers | Birmingham'. On the same page, in another hand: 'Mr Reuben Sparks.' Knowles's entry in the Oxford DNB gives the context. In 1816 he 'moved to Glasgow, where he established and ran a school for nearly twelve years [...] In 1823 and 1824 he added to his income by conducting the literary department of the Free Press, a Glasgow paper which advocated liberal and social reform.

The front and back covers of the newspaper are present, forming a bifolium. A frail and scarce survival. Heavily-aged newsprint, chipped and worn, with the top and bottom halves of the front page separated along a horizontal fold line. The article on Synge's play covers the first two of the six columns on the front page, with a further quarter-column on the back page.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'Arthur C. Blunt, Esq', with salutation to 'My dear Cecil'. With regard to 'Mr. Wigram's letter' he writes that he 'would rather not dramatize a novel, and did I feel an inclination to do so I don't think I am at all a good man for the work'. He nevertheless asks the recipient to inform Wigram that he is 'complimented by his and Lord Desart's proposal'. The postscript is mildly amusing: 'P.S. I hope I am not liable to misconstruction in enquiring after your Housemaid's Knee'.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Aged and stained, with creasing along one edge. A wonderful letter, linking two notable figures in late-Victorian society, beginning: 'Do I remember it? how can I ever forget it, considering that we introduced ourselves to each other, without any introduction; & that casual acquaintanceship has developed into a friendship (without a discordant note) which has lasted for about 38 years.' Regarding their first meeting he writes: 'I was not subpoenaed as a short hand writer, as no such functionary was engaged at Bow St.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, aged and worn, with slight loss to one corner and creasing to another. Strengthened on reverse with a small piece of tape. Letterhead in red, with Tempest writing in green ink. She writes warmly: 'I've read your Play, and I think it charming up to the point of the two people who are crooks! It suffers from the same thing that our present Play suffers from. Too sudden a jump!' She invites him to go and see the play, 'and you will gather what I mean'. She ends by describing his play as 'amusing and witty'.

One page, 4to, good condition. He's sorr y to be slow in answering Raffin's letter. "We stay at St Denis until Monday night and then we go to the Rue Convention. Jackie [the sea-lion comedian) was a very big success here and the People like him very much indeed. | Are you having a nice time in Paris? [...]"

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf, with seal of a harp in green wax, 'To | - Webster Esqre. | Theatre Royal Haymarket'. Writing two days before her father's death, she explains that she commissioned a friend to offer a guinea for his 'Interlude of "Pay for Peeping"', but finds that 'in return you expect one pound eleven for it'. She points out that she was 'the original (at the Strand Theatre) in the piece', and that she is offering the same terms accepted from her by 'Mr Selby for his "Day in Paris"'.

2pp., 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Gracefully declining an invitation.

The Clarke family ran the Argyle for fifty years from 1890 to 1940, during which period it was one of the best-known provincial theatres. It opened as the Argyle Music Hall in 1868, and between 1876 and 1890 was named the Prince Of Wales Theatre, being used mainly to stage plays. In 1890 the focus returned to music hall and variety and it was renamed the Argyle Theatre. Its archives are in the University of Sheffield. 2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, somehwhat grubby and creased at foot of leaf.

The eight items are in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Maude's six letters (all signed 'Cyril Maude') total 8pp., and his wife's two (both signed 'Winifred Emery') total 3pp. In the typed letter the recipient is named as 'Mrs. Whitley, | 78 Alexandra Rd., | St. John's Wood, | N.W.' All eight items deal with interviews conducted by her with the couple. On 20 December Maude writes, 'as I told you I fear there will be nothing in particular for me to tell you, as it is very necessary for me to avoid telling anyone anything just yet awhile.

Letter: 1p., 8vo. With mourning border. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with small pin-hole to one corner. Reads: 'Dear Sir | I suppose the finest part I ever played and one I am always hoping to play again someday [sic] was Sir Peter Teazle. Grumpy was a fine part too though. | Yours truly | Cyril Maude'. Funeral Service: 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and with one vertical fold. Slug: 'Vacher - 32959'. Cover reads: 'St.

CARD: Addressed to 'Barry Duncan Esq. | 11, St Martin's Court | London | W.C.2'. In good condition, lightly aged, with 'Puppet Master' letterhead in red ink, with illustration of Mr Punch. He thanks him for being 'attentive' in sending cuttings. LETTER: 1p., 4to. On aged and creased paper. With cancelled 'Puppet Master' letterhead. Addressed to 'B. D.' Sending payment for hired items, and discussing a translation 'done a week ago for Salzburg Marionettes'. Speaking of Edinburgh he writes: 'I like this city v. much - some fine bookshops - but no playbills'.

2pp., 12mo. On first leaf of a bifolium, the blank second leaf of which is laid down on a leaf of yellow paper removed from an album. In good condition, lightly-aged. He thanks her for her letter, '& the good opinion you express upon the performance'. He hopes to accept her invitation when he no longer labours under 'the heavy pressure of work, now rather weighing me down'.

1p., 12mo. On aged and stained paper, with small spike hole. Reads: '23rd Oct. 1858 | My dear Sir | I have given Sergeant Glover of the M[orning] Chronicle a Private Box for Monday. | Yours entirely | J. W. Cole'.

On 4 x 9.5 strip of paper. In good condition, with light signs of age. Reads 'Truly Yours | Jno. B Buckstone | T. Q. H'. Presumably cut from a letter in response to a request for an autograph.

On 4 x 10.5 cm. strip of paper, cut from a letter, presumably in response to a request for an autograph. In fair condition, with light signs of age.

1p., landscape 12mo. Spirit duplicated with purple ink. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, and folded three times. The page is headed 'The Gallery First Nighters' Club', and is divided into two section: 'Profit and Loss Account for year ending September 30th. 1910.' and 'Balance Sheet'. At foot of page: 'G. F. Rigden, Hon. Secretary. | John Page, Hon. Treasurer. | I have examined the Club Books and Vouchers and found them correct. | F. H. Long, Auditor.' From the papers of Ken Sephton (Sefton).

On 1 x 5.5 cm slip of paper cut from letter. In fair condition, aged, and with slight discoloration at one end. The signature is present in full, but the underlining flourish hs been truncated.

A total of 6pp. (5pp. in 12mo and 1p. in 4to). The five items in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. In the first letter, 15 June 1898, he says he is posting 'the MS. (untouched: it is excellent) to Sir Douglas' (i.e. Whitley's editor, Sir Douglas Straight). The following day he informs her that 'the interview reads charmingly', and that 'everybody in the theatre is delighted with it', adding that he has 'just posted it to the Poet'.

The six items in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. The four letters all with Morley's expansive signature ('Sheridan Morley').

The collection of seventeen items in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. Two of the letters are signed 'Frank Pettingell', the others signed 'Frank (P.)' and 'Frank'. Two of the letters are in their original envelopes. They total 5pp., 12mo. On 22 August 1947 he writes regarding his collection of playscripts, mostly acquired from the son of the comedian Arthur Williams, and now at the Templeman Library, University of Kent: 'We are on holiday here [in Broadstairs] since "Fifty-Fifty" finished [...] When I get back next month I would like to sort the old M.S.

1p., 4to. On aged and worn paper. In response to Duncan's advertisement in 'The Stage', he asks whether he would be 'interested in the famous cartoons, in colour, which, with the signature of "Spy," used to appear in "Vanity Fair."? I have about seventy in good condition, all published between 1860 and 1885'. He also offers 'several volumes of old plays - some of them over 140 years old, and asks whether Duncan 'might care to drop in and have a look at these "treasures. | But, give me a tinkle on the 'phone first as I am rather a busy Man.'

Both items in fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with a little rust spotting from a paperclip. Macwhirter's letter is 2pp., landscape 8vo. The letterhead, featuring two engravings of coaches, is printed in blue, and boasts that Macwhirter is an 'Antiquarian and General Writer | Contributor since 1926 to leading journals', as well as 'Lecturer in New College, Edinburgh, to Scottish Church History Society, 1944 and 1952.' It also contains a three-line list of the journals he has contributed to.

16pp. (of which 12pp. in 8vo and 4pp. in 4to). In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Neatly written out, with underlinings in red ink. Loosely inserted in the marbled wraps of an exercise book, with 'Adelphi' in pencil on the inside of the front cover. The first scene is written out complete on ten leaves from the exercise book (now loose), with the main text on ten pages, and additions on two versos. In addition to this is a grey paper bifolium, carrying over 4pp., 4to, additional matter to be inserted at the beginning of the second scene.

In good condition, lightly aged, with one vertical crease. Stamped and postmarked, and addressed to 'Cyril Maude Esqre. | Redlap | Dartmouth. | Devon'. For more about Hambourg, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. He writes: 'My dear Cyril | I'm afraid the Chappell Piano is necessary for me, as however good a theatre piano, it would not be good enough for a performance at your "Grand Benefit." | Yours with best wishes | Mark Hambourg'. Maude's 'Birthday Benefit Matinée' took place for charity at the Haymarket Theatre, 24 April 1942.

Both items in good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. ONE: ALS of 11 September [1891]. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. With stamped envelope addressed to 'Mrs. Wead | Buckingham | Old Shoreham | Sussex', with postmark supplying year. She thanks her for 'the kind invitation Cyril brought me to stay with you on our return from Switzerland', but cannot accept, 'as I may at any time be called for rehearsals after next week & the intervening few days I really must spend at home.

ONE: Note. 1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. In envelope addressed to Duncan at 11 St Martin's Court, London. Reads simply: 'Please let me have your catalogue when its ready | C L'. Lefeaux's name in capitals at head. TWO: Letter. 1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He asks him to 'put the enclosed leaflet about the Repertory Players' in his window as agreed, offering two tickets as a mark of the commitee's gratitude.

ONE: Letter: 1p., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. He asks Duncan to look out for books in a number of fields, beginning with ones 'on old-time stagecraft giving technical data & information on trick effects, transformation scenes, etc, with particular reference to pantomime'. TWO: Advertisement. Printed in black on one side of a 14 x 26.5 cm piece of blue card. Folded twice to make three 14 x 8.5 cm pages in concertina. In stamped postmarked envelope, with his device printed in red on cover, addressed to Duncan at the Thule Gallery, St Martin's Court.

On one side of a 7.5 x 10.5 cm piece of grey paper. Laid down on a piece of cream paper cut from an album. In fair condition, aged. Reads (with manuscript additions in square brackets): 'LYCEUM THEATRE. | Mr. Henry Russell's Entertainment, | ADMIT [Four Dress Circle] | On [ Wed ] day, September [ 7th ] 1853. | [Henry Russell.] | Not admitted after a quarter to 8.' Also included is an undated newspaper cutting of a letter from Russell 'To the Editor of the Daily News', from '74, Kensington-gardens-square, Bayswater, Nov.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged paper, with minor traces of glue from mount on reverse. Reads: 'My ydear Massingham. | Will you give me an admission for myself & friend to see the Pantomime - I hear it is great - how are you - can I do any thing for you! - | Thine sincerely | Henry Massingham'. 'Old Massingham' was well-known in his day as 'the lessee of the box-office at the Princess's Theatre during the reign of Keeley and Charles Kean'. His collection of theatrical material was auctioned after his death.