DRAMA

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 [?] 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 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 [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".

Autograph note signed to unnamed correspondent,

Author: 
Henry Arthur Jones
Publication details: 
4 July 1927, with letterhead 19 Kidderpore Avenue, Hampstead.
£20.00

English dramatist (1851-1929). One page, 12mo. "Life won't bear looking at, will it; from / "Whitewashing Julia" / by / Henry Arthur Jones". Jones's comedy was printed by the Chiswick Press in 1903. Negligible rust-staining from paperclips in one margin.

autograph note signed to unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
Charles Warner
Publication details: 
undated, on the letterhead of the Royal Princess's Theatre.
£15.00

English actor (1846-1909). One page, 8vo. "Dear Sir / If I can get original Cast I shall do a scene from 'Drink" / Yours faithfully / Charles Warner". Warner's most memorable part was Coupeau in 'Drink' (1879), an adaptation of Zola's 'L'Assommoir'. Not in the best of condition: creased, dusty and torn.

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.

autograph letter signed to Albert Case,

Author: 
Alma Murray
Publication details: 
3 September 1902, with letterhead 49 Comeragh Road, West Kensington.
£20.00

English actress (1854-1945). 2 pp, 12mo. "All my recitations are favorites just when I am reciting them - so the question you ask me is rather difficult to answer. - I love my work, so each bit of it has its special place in my heart. Sometimes - it may be a sad one or a merry one that I feel most devoted to. - The audiences help you at these moments & make special favorites for a few hours."

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.

photograph,

Author: 
Andrew Halliday [full name Andrew Halliday Duff]
Publication details: 
1873
£20.00

Essayist and dramatist (1830-1877). Portrait photograph, 3¾ inches by 2½, from the studio of Charles Watkins, 54 Chancery Lane, of a heavily-bearded Halliday looking to the right in jacket, coat and striped tie. The photographer's details and device are printed on the reverse of the mount, which is docketted "Andrew Halliday / 1873", and carries traces of glue and paper. Somewhat grubby.

Autograph letter signed to Lady Ball,

Author: 
Cyril Maude
Publication details: 
16 January [no year], 60 South Audley St.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1862-1951), apparently written to an "angel". "Thank you for your letter. / It is a humorous sketch for 3 or four people lasting 23 minutes with lots of 'Punch' & a wonderfully funny part wh. whould show me off. My offer runs to Easter and all that is if only I can find what they want in advance. Voila!" Negligible traces of previous mounting on blank reverse.

Autograph note signed to the editor of "Strand Magazine",

Author: 
Edmund Payne
Publication details: 
30 May 1904, Gaiety Theatre.
£20.00

English actor (died 1914). "Dear Sir / My height is five feet three & a half inches in my half hose". Negligible traces of previous mounting to the blank reverse.

autograph letter signed to Mrs [?] Murray,

Author: 
Arthur Cecil
Publication details: 
13 November 1877, with letterhead 18 Orchard Street, Portman Square.
£20.00

[Real name Arthur Cecil Blunt] English actor (1843-1896). 2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Mrs Murray / I also was sorry not to put in an appearance on Sunday but I had a little work as you know to look over & after Douglas left me in the afternoon so many "casuals" dropped in that I could not well get out." He will have to give up the dinner party he had planned for Sunday, or postpone it till she returns from abroad. "I shall myself go I think to Brighton next Sunday as I can get two days of "the sea the sea the open sea!" " The letter is signed "Arthur Blunt".

Autograph letters signed (x 2) to the actress Hilda Trevelyan [1880-1859],

Author: 
Cyril Maude
Publication details: 
April 29 and 1 September [no years].
£30.00

English actor-manager (1862-1951). The first, April 29, Rivoli, with letterhead of The Playhouse, Northumberland Avenue, one page, 8vo. "Dear Miss Trevelyan, / Very many congratulations. You are absolutely 'sweet' in the piece. It is so many years since we met. Your performance is beautiful. I wished to come round & see you but didnt like to intrude." The second, 1 September [no year], with letterhead 26 Cleveland Gardens, Lancaster Gate, 2 pp, 12mo. Affectionate letter to "Dear little Manageress" (Trevelyan was for a time co-manageress of the Vaudeville Theatre).

Autograph note signed to unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
Edward Askew Sothern
Publication details: 
no date, with letterhead 48 Pall Mall.
£20.00

One page, 12mo, written in purple ink on grey paper. "My dear Sir / Could you lunch with me at 2. on Tuesday at my rooms in Midland Hotel St. Pancras? / Yrs always / E. A. Sothern". With traces of previous mounting to the reverse.

Autograph note signed to Mrs [Edith] Cabourn,

Author: 
Cyril Maude
Publication details: 
19 December [no year], with letterhead Redlap, Dartmouth.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 12mo. "I am so sorry that owing to some money losses I cannot send more for poor Charlie Rocks widow."

one autograph note signed to Sybil Rosenfeld,

Author: 
Ashley Dukes
Publication details: 
24 February 1924, with letterhead 19 Camden Hill Gardens.
£20.00

English dramatist, theatre manager, and dramatic critic (1885-1959). One page, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. "Dear Madam / Thanks for your note; I will present myself at King's College at 5.25 on Thursday."

Autograph letter signed to [?] Pemberton,

Author: 
Edward Compton
Publication details: 
20 March 1890, 96 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, on letterhead of the Compton Comedy Co. on Tour.
£20.00

English actor-manager (1854-1918). One page, 8vo. "My dear Pemberton / We had a beastly passage over here, have both been seedy ever since, & only just able to crawl through our routine work I shall not attempt to sit down to the Play until Sunday, but on that day I will write you all about the new Scenario."

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 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 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.

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 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 letters signed (x 2).

Author: 
Alfred Sydney Wigan
Publication details: 
13 & 15 April 1869, both addressed from Little Campden House, Camden Hill, and with monogram letterhead.
£35.00

English actor (1814-1878). The first, 2 pp, 12mo, to Admiral Hornly. "The enclosed ticket is very much at your service - Had you been up a few weeks ago, I think I should have cut a better figure in Mrs. Hornley's eyes, than I can in the stupid part I am now acting - [...]". (According to the DNB at this time Wigan was playing Rittmeister Harfthal in Robertson's "Dreams".) The second, to Miss [?] Paterson, 3 pp, 12mo. "I have had the pleasure to send the Admiral a box for the Gaiety for Monday next.

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 note signed to Mrs [?] Hartland,

Author: 
Dion Boucicault.
Publication details: 
17 February 1915, on the letterhead of the Duke of York's Theatre.
£20.00

Dion Boucicault the younger. Actor-manager (1859-1929), son of the actor and dramatist. One page, 8vo. "Dear Mrs Hartland, / I wonder if you could see me here at 2-45 on Friday when I will give you my decision. / Yours very truly, / Dion: Boucicault." Slight creasing to two corners.

autograph note signed to unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
Alfred Sydney Wigan
Publication details: 
13 October 1869, Little Campden House, Campden Hill, with monogram letterhead.
£45.00

English actor (1814-1878). 2 pp, 8vo, neatly mounted. "James Brown has referred me to you for a character as a general in-door servant - I should be much obliged if you would let me know your experience of his abilities, and of his character for honesty & diligence and sobriety -"

Syndicate content