Music and Theatre

one autograph note signed to Mrs [Elizabeth] Merivale (née Pitman), wife of the playwright Herman Charles Merivale (1839-1906),

Author: 
[Walter] Brandon Thomas
Publication details: 
30 August 1893, with letterhead 42 Cadogan Terrace.
£20.00

English actor, playwright, songwriter (1856-1914). One page, 12mo. "Dear Mrs. Merivale, / I enclose two stalls & hope you will enjoy a good laugh that is all I can you. / So glad to see you & Mr. Merivale looking so well today". Attached by blank verso to blank second leaf, which bears traces of previous mounting.

one autograph letter signed to [Thomas] Bass of Manchester,

Author: 
Denis Neilson-Terry
Publication details: 
undated, Lew Theatre, Manchester.
£15.00

English actor (1895-1932), son of the actor Fred Terry (1864-1932) and his wife the actress Julia Emilie Neilson (1868-1957). One page, 4to. "I must write to you now just to say how much I enjoyed your letter, & the great good-fellowship & hospitable sport, that prompted the sending of it. All I can say is that you're all splendid to be so good & helpful to me, thank you again & again".

autograph note signed to Mrs [?] Brooks,

Author: 
Charles Wyndham
Publication details: 
no date, on letterhead of the Hyde Park Hotel, Knightsbridge.
£20.00

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 12mo. "I am glad to hear you are getting better. There has been a bond of sympathy between us. I myself have been off colour all the week & locked up in my room yesterday and to-day."

autograph letter signed in stamped envelope addressed in autograph to L. E. Berman,

Author: 
John van Druten
Publication details: 
4 December 1934, on letterhead of Kingsgate Castle, Thanet.
£20.00

Anglo-American dramatist (1901-57). One page, 8vo. "How very, very nice of you to write - and thank you so much for seeing my play twice and liking it. / It was all very disappointing and sad - and I dont think there is anything else to say. But I did appreciate your letter: thank you so much."

one autograph letter signed to Miss Home,

Author: 
George Alexander (George Alexander Gibb Samson)
Publication details: 
1 April 1892, on the letterhead of the St James's Theatre, King Street, St James's.
£20.00

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. "The actors Benevolent Trust is our institution for relief of deserving cases - if your friend will apply to me by letter & state her case freely I will lay it before the committee of which I am a member." Traces of previous mounting on reverse of blank second leaf.

autograph fragment signed to "- Bellamy, Esqr.",

Author: 
Julia Glover
Publication details: 
undated.
£35.00

English actress (1779-1850). Fragment of letter, 1 page, 8vo, signed "Julia Glover" and docketted "Mrs Glover of Drury Lane Theatre". Stuck to a torn piece of paper carrying the following biographical sketch: "Mrs Glover.

autograph card signed to Walter Wood,

Author: 
Irene Vanbrugh (stage name of Irene Barnes)
Publication details: 
postmarked 14 July 1895 St. James Theatre.
£15.00

English actress (1872-1949), made a Dame of the British Empire in 1941. Blue "letter card" with printed stamp, addressed in autograph to "Mr Walter Wood / 7 Theresa Terrace / Hammersmith". "Many thanks for your kind invitation for June 29th which I am very sorry to say we are unable to accept owing to a previous engagement for that day. We are very busy just now rehearsing for revivals, but later on I hope we shall meet again after all. It has been most unfortunate both times missing each other. With many regrets about the C G." With traces of paper and glue to reverse.

autograph letter signed to Mr [?] Courtney,

Author: 
Edward Terry
Publication details: 
2 October 1890, on black and red ink letterhead of Terry's Theatre in the Strand.
£20.00

English actor-manager (1844-1912). One page, 8vo. "I am complimented by the request - but - my time at present is so fully occupied and my powers of description are so poor that I am compelled to say 'no' and I really think your readers have reason to be grateful for the decision / Yours sincerely / E. Terry".

autograph letter signed to his aunt Madeleine,

Author: 
Cyril Maude
Publication details: 
23 February [no year], with the letterhead 33 Brompton Crescent.
£20.00

English actor-manager (1862-1951). 3 pp, 12mo. "Things are so terribly 'uncertain' with me just now. I am exceedingly busy every day arranging about a Syndicate which is to back us in a Theatre this Autumn added to this the latest play at the Comedy is not a success & we may be plunged into Rehearsals any day. When things 'calm down' a bit I will let you know if we can come. I should like to very much if we can manage it."

autograph fragment signed to unnamed correspondent,

Author: 
Marion Terry
Publication details: 
no date or place.
£15.00

English actress (1852-1930), sister of Ellen Terry and member of celebrated theatrical dynasty. Fragment of letter, one page, 16mo, of irregular shape. "[...] but I did & do wish you every success dear child & thank you so much for your sweet thoughts of me = / Yours with love / Marion Terry". Remains of mount to the blank reverse.

autograph letter signed to Dorothy [?],

Author: 
Irene Vanbrugh (stage name of Irene Barnes)
Publication details: 
25 April (no year), Globe Theatre.
£15.00

English actress (1872-1949), made a Dame of the British Empire in 1941. 2 pp, 8vo. "Many thanks for your kind note. I shall be delighted to come down on Sunday May 28th. & stay till Monday afternoon. I may be rather a quiet sort of guest as this part is a great tax on me - but a day in the country with you sounds most tempting."

one autograph note signed to unnamed male correspondent (a journalist?),

Author: 
Edward Terry
Publication details: 
22 September 1887, Barnes, Surrey.
£25.00

English actor-manager (1844-1912). 2 pp, 12mo. "I found your note to-day at the Garrick - If you are likely to be in Town again I will give you an Interview. but you must let me have a proof before publication. You promised this at Eastbourne and did not send it." In bad condition: torn, creased and discoloured.

autograph note signed to the wife of Henry Fielding Dickens [1849-?], son of the novelist Charles Dickens.

Author: 
Charles Wyndham
Publication details: 
2 January 1901, on letterhead of Wyndham's Theatre, Charing Cross Road.
£50.00

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 2 pp, 8vo. "Dear Mrs Dickens / When I spoke the other night of an autograph I meant that of your husband: I did not dream of such an acceptable present as you have forwarded me / I think I shall alter your plan. I will still send the book for the autograph of the eminent Q. C. & shall that of his celebrated father / With a thousand thanks / Yours truly / Charles Wyndham". In reasonable condition, with a few creases and small tears.

autograph note signed,

Author: 
William Henry Schofield Payne
Publication details: 
no date.
£45.00

Actor and pantomimist (1804-1878), "the last true mime", who played opposite the great Joseph Grimaldi. One page, 8vo. Written in a florid hand, "W H S Payne / Theater Royal Covent Garden / Le Roi De Pantomime." The "S" in the signature is in superscript. In a smaller hand at the head of the page the signature of Gustave Garcia.

autograph note signed to unnamed correspondent,

Author: 
Marion Terry
Publication details: 
no date or place.
£12.00

English actress (1852-1930), sister of Ellen Terry and member of celebrated theatrical dynasty. One page, 12mo. Evidently in reply to a request for an autograph. "Yours truly / Marion Terry".

autograph letter signed to Mrs [?] Wood,

Author: 
Irene Vanbrugh (stage name of Irene Barnes)
Publication details: 
no date, with letterhead 190 Earl's Court Road.
£15.00

English actress (1872-1949), made a Dame of the British Empire in 1941. Headed "Wednesday" (no date), one page, 8vo. "Mr Sydney Brooks' address is / 2 Montpelier Square / S. W. / He is the cellist who is going to play at your concert. Yours in haste / Irene Vanbrugh".

one autograph letter signed to [?] Palgrave,

Author: 
Charles Sugden
Publication details: 
"Sunday" (no date), 3 Pall Mall Place, on deleted letterhead 50 Pall Mall.
£25.00

Actor (1850-1921). A storm in a teacup. "I am sorry to say I must decide against you in reference to the cups & saucers, the history of them was this, Jack asked me as I had nothing to do to go & buy him some coffee cups &c / I went, bought the ones you refer to & begged Jack to accept them as a present, I am sorry that you should lose them, but am glad that you both wished to possess them".

autograph note signed to unnamed correspondent,

Author: 
Charles Wyndham
Publication details: 
no date, on letterhead of the Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 8vo. "One never makes a mistake in telling the truth / Charles Wyndham / The Liar." Perhaps a reference to Wyndham's outstanding performance in Jones's "The Liars" (1897).

one autograph note signed to Mrs [?] Pagée,

Author: 
Henry Brodribb Irving
Publication details: 
9 December 1893, on letterhead of the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.
£25.00

English actor-manager (1870-1919), elder son of the celebrated Henry Irving. "My wife has asked me to send you the . I do so with the greatest pleasure. [...]". Discoloured, with heavy creasing to margin, and traces of previous mounting on reverse of blank second leaf.

autograph letter signed to Mrs Revière,

Author: 
Brandon Thomas
Publication details: 
28 June 1898, with letterhead 105 Cadogan Gardens.
£15.00

English actor, playwright, songwriter (1856-1914). One page, 12mo. "You are sweet, as well as dear! We are working our heads off about the Liebhart Concert & hoping for the best / The two tickets will be sent in due course". With traces of paper and glue to the reverse of blank second leaf.

one autograph card signed to Mrs [?] Horsley,

Author: 
Charles Wyndham
Publication details: 
"Sunday" [no date], with letterhead of the Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly.
£12.00

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Mrs Horsley / The state of the weather to-day precludes me from even trying to see you & to-night / I shall be happy to come tomorrow with Miss Moore [his wife the actress Mary Moore,1869-1931]".

autograph note signed,

Author: 
Henry Compton [real name Charles Mackenzie]
Publication details: 
1870
£15.00

Actor-manager (1805-77). One page, 8vo, neatly mounted. "An two men ride of a horse one must ride behind" / "Shakspeare" / Henry Compton. / Theatre Royal, / Haymarket. / Jany. 24th. 1870."

autograph fragment signed,

Author: 
Marianne [Mary] Davies
Publication details: 
undated.
£35.00

Singer (1744-1816?). Signature cut away from letter, 16mo. "[...] What is the date of the affair. / Every yours lovingly / Mary Davies".

autograph poem signed,

Author: 
Brandon Thomas
Publication details: 
29 April 1895, on letterhead of the Hôtel Burlington, Boscombe, Bournemouth.
£30.00

English actor, playwright, songwriter (1856-1914). One page, 8vo. "Sir Maple is a handy man / And comfort round him spreads, / He furnishes on every plan / And also makes the beds." In bad condition, torn and holed by removal from mount, traces of which are glued to the reverse.

autograph note signed to unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
Squire Bancroft
Publication details: 
15 January 1880, with the embossment of the Garrick Club.
£15.00

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. One page, 12mo. "I fear I shall not be able to join the meeting this afternoon through important business at the Haymarket." Signed "S. B. Bancroft". Paper and glue from previous mounting on the reverse.

one autograph letter signed to Arthur [?],

Author: 
Charles Wyndham
Publication details: 
24 June 1892, on the letterhead of the Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 3 pp, 8vo. An interesting letter in which he angles for some some royal patronage. "Dear Arthur / I am trying to arrange Agatha but there are difficulties - / I wonder whether Her Royal Highness is disengaged next Tuesday. We play a charming little piece on Tuesday afternoon about ¼ past 3 - which I am sure with her dramatic taste she will appreciate - It is a new comedietta called "Mrs Hilary regrets" [by Spenser Theyre Smith] that we played with great success at the Lyceum.

autograph note signed to Mrs Elizabeth Merivale (née Pitman), wife of the playwright Herman Charles Merivale [1839-1906, DNB],

Author: 
Cyril Maude
Publication details: 
2 June [no year], with letterhead 33 Brompton Crescent.
£18.00

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 12mo. "Dear Mrs. Merivale, / I fear that it is not in our power to purchase rights in Charlotte Corday now, much as I should like to. / Yrs faithfully / Cyril Maude". Negligible traces of previous mounting.

typed letter signed to M[ary]. Tennyson, with stamped addressed envelope addressed in autograph,

Author: 
Herbert Trench
Publication details: 
27 September 1909, with the letterhead of the Haymarket Theatre ("Director Mr. HERBERT TRENCH").
£12.00

One page, 4to. He thanks her for her "criticisms as to the hands and the lighting [...] Your appreciation was of the kind that I specially value. / On re-reading your One Act play, I think it needs alteration. The first ten or twelver [sic] pages are very good, but I am not at all sure that the last part will go down. Is it not a little over-sentimental?" But I will consider this further and let you have some suggestions later. I suppose you would not mind altering it to a certain extent if necessary?"

autograph note signed,

Author: 
Charles Warner
Publication details: 
09/01/86
£15.00

English actor (1846-1909). One page, 8vo. " " Gerraire! look look nana nana come to Papa, I'm dying. Oh God forgive me" "Coupeau" ". Warner's most memorable part was Coupeau in 'Drink' (1879), an adaptation of Zola's 'L'Assommoir'.

one autograph letter to Mrs <?>,

Author: 
Charles Wyndham
Publication details: 
"Saturday" [no date], on letterhead of the Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 2 pp, 12mo. "We have been staging this week at Maidenhead (I going down nightly) in order to be neear to Henley. So Mrs W. has not had her letters. We are I know engaged on Tuesday - but we shall hope nevertheless to reach you before 2 am final hour." Traces of previous mounting on the blank sides of both leaves.

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