Music and Theatre

Autograph Signatures ('Gertrude Lawrence.', 'Ivy St. Helier' and 'Joyce Carey').

Author: 
Gertrude Lawrence (1898-1952), Ivy St Helier (1886-1971); Joyce Carey (1898-1993); English actresses associated with Noel Coward
Publication details: 
Dates and places not stated.
£85.00

On a leaf of cream paper, 8.5 x 12 cm, part of a bifolium taken from an autograph album. Very good. All three signatures are bold and clear. The signatures of Lawrence and St Helier are on one side of the leaf, and that of Carey is on the other. Lawrence's signature is in ink, and the other two in pencil. Three signatures,

Newpaper cutting entitled 'ASSAULTING AN ACTRESS.'

Author: 
['Marie Lloyd', stage name of Matilda Alice Victoria Wood (1870-1922), wife of Percy Charles Courtenay; London music hall]
Publication details: 
The Daily Graphic, 19 January 1892.
£18.00

The cutting consists of the two outer columns of pp.11 and 12, measuring 42 x 15.5 cm, with the article on Marie Lloyd, consisting of forty-four lines of text, covering roughly 12 x 6 cm of the inner column. Good, though a little aged and frayed at extremities, with the article with one small spot covering a word, but with the text entirely legible. First sentence reads 'Percy Courtenay, of 196, Wickham-terrace, Lewisham High-road, was brought up on a warrant before Mr.

Autograph Signature ('Jules Benedict').

Author: 
Sir Julius Benedict (1804-1885), Anglo-German conductor and composer
Publication details: 
January 1866; on letterhead of 2, Manchester Square, W. [London].
£18.00

12mo: 1 p. Very good. Reads 'January 1866 | [signed] Jules Benedict'.

Urania; or, The Illuminé

Author: 
William Robert Spencer, playwright , poet and wit (DNB).
Publication details: 
London: Printed for J. Ridgway, 1802.
£225.00

Pp.[viii].38.[2], disbound, minor damage around stab-holes, foxing, mainly good condition. Scarce. INSCRIBED by the author (part in square brackets lost through trimming): "Countess of Harcourt - From the Au[thor]". A convict transport was presumably named after her ("Countess of Harcourt") - it mainly transported Irish convicts. Spencer was the source of "How noiseless falls the foot of time". "Urania" was "a burlesque of German ghost literature" (DNB).

Autograph Signature ('J Bridgewater.') on fragment of document.

Author: 
John Egerton, 2nd Earl of Bridgewater (1623-1686), English aristocrat who acted in the first performance of John Milton's masque 'Comus', at Ludlow Castle in Wales in 1634
Publication details: 
Without date or place (but docketed on reverse '1679').
£100.00

On piece of paper roughly 2 x 3.5 cm. Discoloured, and with traces of glue from previous mounting on reverse. Slight loss to one corner and tiny closed tear at head. Attractive calligraphic signature, with tall, closely-spaced, vertically elongated letters. Top loops of initial 'J' trimmed.

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Seiji Ozawa (born 1935), Japanese conductor
Publication details: 
Undated.
£23.00

Good, in felt-tip pen on piece of blue paper, roughly 8 x 13 cms, with the slightest discoloration at extremities.

Signed publicity leaflet with photographic portrait.

Author: 
Shula Doniach, pianist, author and composer
Publication details: 
Undated [1930s?]; 'All Communications to Harold Holt, 3 Clifford Street, London, W.1. Telephone: Regent 6845'.
£23.00

Octavo bifolium on shiny art paper. A bit grubby, with two horizontal fold lines across photograph of Miss Doniach's head and shoulders in profile. Signed beneath photograph in blue ink. Central section contains twelve press opinions, ranging from Ernest Newman in the Sunday Times to the Amsterdam Handelsblatt.

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Miklos Erdelyi, Hungarian conductor
Publication details: 
Undated.
£18.00

Good, on leaf of blue paper removed from autograph album, dimensions roughly 12 x 16 cms.

Signature only.

Author: 
Wilma Norman Neruda, Czech violinist, later Lady Halle.
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£23.00

Signature, on paper cut from page with black (mourning) border.c.3.5 x 2".

Catalogue of Fourteen Thousand Portraits of Authors, Actors, Legislators, Ministers and Celebrated Men and Women of All Countries. The Largest Sale that has ever taken place in the United States. [...] by Edelinck, Lemperour, Bause, Schidt, Doo [...]

Author: 
Banks, Merwin & Co., Auctioneers, Broadway, New York [Auction Catalogue]
Publication details: 
New York: To be Sold at Auction [...] 8th, 9th and 10th of March, 1864, By Banks, Merwin & Co., At the Irving Buildings, Nos. 594 and 596 Broadway].
£150.00

Octavo: 18 pp. Unbound: stabbed and unstitched. First leaf and leaves with pp. 15/16 and 17/18 loose. Leaves with pp.3/4 and 15/16 half-separated. Paper discoloured and chipping at edges. Extends to 918 lots. The odd number of leaves implies the loss of a final leaf, possibly bearing text. Stamp of the Public Library Ford Collection. Docketing in pencil notes a duplicate at the New York Public Library. No other copy traced.

Two autograph Notes Signed to I. Kyrle Fletcher, bookseller specialising in the theatre, ballet, etc.

Author: 
Randolph Schwabe.
Publication details: 
43A Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, 5 Jan. 1927 and The Slade School of Fine Art (printed heading), 27 May 1942.
£125.00

Draughtsman and printmaker. One page each, 8vo, in his normal calligraphic hand, some peripheral damage but mainly good condition. (1927) He acknowledges receipt of a cheque and the return of a parcel of prints - thanks. (1942) He informs Fletcher that "The lithograph Enrico Cecchetti was published by C.W. Beaumont . . . He may have a copy left. I have only one, and that is stored away in Bushey, Herts. It might be unearthed, but not immediately." Two items.

Scenes from an unfinished drama, entitled Phrontisterion, or, Oxford in the 19th century.

Author: 
[Henry Longueville Mansel, Dean of St Pauls; University of Oxford; J. Vincent, publisher]
Publication details: 
Oxford: Printed and published by J. Vincent, and G. Bell, Fleet Street, London. Fourth edition, 1852.
£100.00

English philosopher (1820-71). 24 pages, 12mo. Very good, neatly bound in brown cloth binding. Bound in are the original grey printed wraps, affected with foxing, and with very slight damage from glue to front wrap. The rear wrap carries an advertisement of 'BOOKS LATELY PUBLISHED | BY J. VINCENT OXFORD.', including 'NINEVEH: the Best Newdigate for Years; therefore not recited in the Theatre, Oxford, July 3, 1851. 12mo. 1s.' A brilliant satire on academic reformers and German philosphers. Copac only lists copies of the third, fourth and fifth editions.

Three Autograph Letters and Notes Signed "T Dibdin" (x 2) and "T D", to unnamed correspondents (x 2) and "J. Russell"

Author: 
Thomas John Dibdin, dramatist.
Publication details: 
No place or date (x 2), the other headed "A.M. Sep 25" to which another hand has added 1835.
£200.00

Total 4pp., 8vo, two laid down on a page, with minor defects and texts complete, tending towards the illegible, the other with bottom of page torn off with some textual loss, again tending towards the illegible. In one he asks his correspondent to take up a bill (of exchange) that day "which I miscalculated for Monday" next - it will materially serve me without injuring you". In the next letter ([1835]), hard to read but he appeqars to be talking money with someone in need, money he would supply before his Benefit and institute a transaction involving "Mr Peake".

Signed photograph.

Author: 
Nicolai Malko (1883-1961), Russian conductor, latterly chief conductor in Australia with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Publication details: 
1949
£200.00

Dimensions of photograph roughly nine inches by seven wide. Aged, lightly creased and a little scuffed. Slight loss to bottom right-hand corner of border, not affecting image. A bespectacled Malko in a double-breasted pinstripe jacket, in the act of conducting, baton aloft, and with violinist in the background. Malko has written his inscription over his torso, beginning 'Cnacudo', and giving the date 1949.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Marie Marimon') in French to an unnamed photographer.

Author: 
Marie Marimon (1835-1923), of the théâtre des Fantaisies Parisiennes, French singer [Victorian photography]
Publication details: 
29/07/71
£85.00

Three pages, 12mo. Good, on lightly aged and ruckled paper, with a little glue adhering to the reverse of the second leaf of the bifolium. She has received the two packets containing the small photographs. Apart from wanting the hair to appear lighter and clearer, she is satisfied with the large photograph, and would like several copies before her departure on 2 August. If this is not possible copies are to be sent to her at the theatre du Gymnase in Paris.

Typed Letter Signed to Leslie Bloom of the Gallery First Nighters' Club.

Author: 
Ian Wallace (born 1919), English baritone singer connected with Flanders and Swann
Publication details: 
29 October 1956; on letterhead 27 Stormont Road, Highgate, London, N.6.
£18.00

Two pages, on letterhead of roughly 13.5 x 17.5 cms. He has sent a wire accepting the 'kind invitation'. '[A]s you can imagine we are rehearsing all day and every day at the present [...] The only thing thaht could stop me being with you is that we are, I understand, to record the "Fanny" music for a long-playing record on that Saturday'.

Trade Card

Author: 
William Curtis, bookseller, stationer, music seller (BBTI 1812-1836)
Publication details: 
No date.
£65.00

Card, c.4 x 3", soiled, remnants of album page on verso (four corners). Within the Royal Arms of the Duke of Clarence is printed "William Curtis / Bookseller / To H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence / Plymouth". At the botton "Harps, Pianofortes &c. on Sale or Hire."

Poster for English publication of the score of Donizetti's opera 'La Favorite' ['The Favourite'].

Author: 
Gaetano Donizetti [Charles Jefferys and Co., 21 Soho Square]
Publication details: 
Undated, but circa 1843.
£60.00

Roughly twelve and half inches by nine and a quarter. Neatly mounted on piece of cream paper, with surrounding ink rules. Good, with some ruckling and wear to corners. Characteristically arresting arrangement of type. Reads: 'CAUTION. | THE ONLY CORRECT COPY | OF DONIZETTI'S OPERA | THE FAVOURITE | AS PERFORMED IN ENGLISH AT THE | THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE, | IS PUBLISHED BY | JEFFERYS AND CO.

Autograph Letter Signed ('P. Sainton') in English to unnamed female correspondent.

Author: 
Prosper Philippe Catherine Sainton (1813-90), French violinist
Publication details: 
24 September 1877; on letterhead 'Conteville, pres Boulogne-sur-mer'.
£56.00

Two pages, 12mo. Very good. He was absent when the letter to his wife (the English contralto Charlotte Dolby) arrived. He has heard 'the little boy', and thinks that 'with proper care he may turn out a good Violinist, but he hs to undo every thing and to be guided in the right Way. He has undoubtedly great disposition. If he is persevering and hard Worker (the Violin being the most difficult instrument) I believe he can be one day a very good player'. It is however 'impossible for me to forsee in the future before he has a good start in his Studies.'

The Actors' Remonstrance, or Complaint, For the silencing of their Profession, and Banishment from their severall Playhouses.

Author: 
[Francis Marshall; Edward Nickson; The British Stage]
Publication details: 
Reprinted by F[rancis]. Marshall, Kenton Street, Brunswick Sq. 1822.
£150.00

Seven pages, octavo. Disbound, and with the four leaves detached from one another and neatly laid down on a paper mount. Very good. From (according to the title-page) the edition in 'LONDON. Printed for EDW. NICKSON. Januar. 24. 1643.' Republished as a supplement to the 'British Stage'. Only two copies on COPAC, at Bristol and in the British Library.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs Willows'.

Author: 
Clara Jecks (1857-1951), English actress and singer, briefly associated with the D'Oyly Carte Company, daughter of Harriet Coveney and actor-manager Charles Jecks
Publication details: 
31 May 1898; 20 Hart Street, Bloomsbury, WC [London].
£45.00

Three pages, 12mo. Good, on lightly spotted and aged paper. Traces of glue and previous mount adhering to blank verso of second leaf of bifolium. Concerns a 'concert on June 16yh in aid of the <?> L G[uild] at Mrs. Beudel's house'. 'It grieves me more than I can express to find that I shall be unable to attend, or give my services on that occasion, unfortunately my arrangements will not permit of my being in London then'.

Autograph Note Signed ('J. M. Weston') to James Rees, with the latter's docketing addressed to 'F Powell'.

Author: 
J. M. Weston, 'comedian', playwright and stage manager of the Charles Street Theatre, Baltimore [James Rees; F. Powell]
Publication details: 
[6 April 1847]; place not stated.
£23.00

One page. On piece of paper roughly seven inches by three and a half wide. Bottom part of letter cut away. Reads 'Dr Sir | In compiance with your wish | I subscribe myself | truly yours | [signed] J. M. Weston | To/ | Jas. Reese Esq'. Docketed by Rees 'The above autograph is that of my friend J M Weston, Stage Manager of the St Charles Theatre - he is the Author of Several popular pieces, among which is the beautiful drama of Lucretia Borgia'. Dated in another hand on reverse. Not much appears to be known about Weston, whose translation of Victor Hugo's play was first published in 1850.

Autograph Letter Signed to I[saac]. Wilkinson[, Manager and Secretary of the Brighton Aquarium].

Author: 
Dudley Smith (born c.1852), English and Foreign Musical and Dramatic Agent [The Brighton Aquarium; Victorian Circus]
Publication details: 
22 March 1883; on ornate letterhead in blue and gold carrying address at 449 Strand, London (as well as addresses in Paris and New York).
£56.00

One page, quarto. Very good, though slightly aged and creased, and with minor damp staining at foot, affecting bottom three lines including signature. Wilkinson has written to say that he 'has not the space' Smith has 'named'. '[Y]ou express an opinion that Circus business would pay, & I, from my personal knowledge of Brighton & experience therein, feel sure a really good Circus would prove an immense attraction & a paying one, & would stand some time by introducing fresh novelties'.

Autograph Note Signed ('John Hullah') to 'My dear Strettell'.

Author: 
John Pyke Hullah (1812-1884), English composer, firnd of Dickens, and collaborator.
Publication details: 
18 July 1856; on letterhead, embossed with crest, of St Martin's Hall.
£45.00

One page, 12mo. On creased, brittle, aged paper. Repaired with archival tape on reverse, which carries traces of previous mounting. He is sending some lines of introduction 'to my cameo friend who lives in Grafton St Bond St. - No. [i.e. number] unknown, but it is the second or third house on the right going from Bond St.' Hullah's 'Music Hall' - St Martin's Hall in Long Acre - opened in 1850. It burnt to the ground ten years later.

Autograph Letter Signed to <J. J. Dolone>, and Hand-coloured Engraved Portrait.

Author: 
Laura Honey [nee Young] ['Mrs Honey']
Publication details: 
The letter without date, but bearing postmark postmark dated 20 May 1838.
£156.00

Letter, docketed 'Mrs Honey', addressed to ' Esqre | York - Leeds - or Hull | Theatre Royal'. Three pages, quarto. Good, though aged and creased, and with small section cut away on breaking seal. Text clear and complete. Small strip of mount adhering to one edge. Interesting and intriguing letter addressed to 'Dearest Papa' and beginning 'Barnett has never been near me nor do I know where to find him - write by return and tell me where I commence and what you would like me to '. Ends by saying she is 'very busy indeed just now'. Signed 'Laura'.

Autograph Signatures together with Autograph self-caricatures.

Author: 
Flotsam and Jetsam [Bentley Collingwood Hilliam (1890-1965), tenor, and Malcolm McEachern (1883-1945), bass], British Music Hall entertainers of the 1920s, 30s and 40s
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£45.00

On piece of paper four inches by three and a half, neatly mounted on slightly larger piece of blue paper, docketed 'FLOTSAM & JETSAM | 2 POPULAR ENTERTAINERS'. The crude caricatures (probably by Hilliam rather than McEachern) consist of a crude and highly-stylised image of the heads and shoulders of the two, looking to the left, in hat and cap and both smoking pipes. Beneath is 'Yours very sincerely | [signed] Flotsam and [signed] Jetsam'. Among the duo's recordings is a comic song entitled 'What was the matter with Rachmaninov?' (1927).

Autograph Letter Signed by George Lumbard ('Geo Lumbard') to unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Christy's Minstrels [The Christy Minstrels; Edwin Pearce Christy; George Christy [Harrington]; George Lumbard]
Publication details: 
Town Hall, Buckingham; 12 March 1866.
£125.00

One page, 12mo. Good on piece of lightly-creased and aged paper, neatly mounted on slightly-larger piece of paper. Enclosing funds 'for the Use of St Andrews Hall April 2nd. 3rd. & 4th./66 for Christys Minstrels Concerts'. Postscript requests that receipt be sent to Reading in Berkshire: 'Shall be there on Thursday next'. A significant document. 1866 marked the introduction of the minstrel show into England by Christy's Minstrels, and the first of several extremely successful tours by the company.

Autograph Letter Signed ('I Begrez') to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Pierre Ignace Begrez (1787-1863), French singer, violinist and composer
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£56.00

One page, 12mo. Very good. 'I shall sing il "Soave e bel contento" [aria by Pacini] and will be happy to take a part in the quintetto[,] you must procure the parts of my song'. May possibly refer to the J. N. Hummel Benefit Concert in London on 29 April 1830, where Pacini's aria was played.

Mr. Douglas Jerrold and Mr. Charles Kean

Author: 
[Charles Kean]
Publication details: 
No place of date [1854?]
£135.00

Pamphlet, bifoliate, sm. folio, [4pp.], sl. chipped and marked, NO sign of extraction from a book. The author reminds the reader of the attacks on Charles Kean in "Punch" and "Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper" "in which "rational criticism is entirely superseded by personal hostility". He asks what gave rise to such "pertinaceous malevolence", finding the answer in the correspondence between Jerrold and Kean (26 April to 14 Oct.

Autograph Letter Signed to "Miss [Marie] Tempest", actress.

Author: 
Charles Warner, actor (DNB)
Publication details: 
33 Brunswick Square, WC, 7 May 1900.
£23.00

Two pages, 8vo, minor defects, mainly good. He apologises for not using (or knowing) her full married name and tries to persuade her to give a part to his son whose career he summarises (Athos in "The Three Musketeers", juvenile lead in the "Absent-Minded Beggar"). In a postscript he suggests he would make "an ideal Rochester".

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