DRAMA

photograph and note signed,

Author: 
John Laurence Toole
Publication details: 
the note dated 1898.
£25.00

English actor and theatre manager (1830-1906). The photograph, a portrait of a formally-dressed Toole staring straight ahead, approximately 5½ inches by 4, somewhat creased, crudely mounted and bearing traces of paper and glue. The note, not in Toole's hand but signed by him, 28 April 1898, to an unnamed female correspondent, no place, one page, 8vo. "Dear Madam / Here is my Autograph as you wish / Yours truly / J. L. Toole". Two items,

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".

ALS, 2pp, 8vo, to J. P. Cooke

Author: 
John Palgrave Simpson (DNB), dramatist and novelist
Publication details: 
04/10/83
£80.00

He has heard that "a prospectus of the Company now being formed for the establishment of an English Opera Theatre in London has been sent to you at Thurloe Square", but he sends another with a few words. "I think that we have undertaken a good work: and I feel confident that, were the Company established, we should prosper." Needs to fill list of shareholders by 13 inst. Asks his correspondent to take a few shares "for the love of an art, which, if not your own, is akin to it".

ANS, 1p, 8vo, to "- Phillips Esq."

Author: 
James Sheridan Knowles (DNB), dramatist
Publication details: 
No date, Rushy Green, Lewisham, Kent
£25.00

Asks correspondent to give the trunk to the bearer ("the Lewisham carrier") if it has arrived, "and I shall take the first opportunity of calling to settle the expense". Grubby and creased, with glue and paper from mounting on reverse of otherwise-blank second leaf.

Autograph note signed to Miss Wheldon,

Author: 
Marius Goring
Publication details: 
24 November 1925, 55 Fitzroy Row, Regent's Park.
£20.00

English actor, manager, director (1912-1998). One page, 4to. "Thank you very much for your letter. I enclose three post-cards, hoping that they will be of some use." Miss Wheldon was organising a charity fete. In bad condition: creased and torn, with holes for a ring-binder and annotated with a large ink cross.

Autograph note signed to Miss <Edna Orflere?>,

Author: 
Sir George Alexander (George Alexander Gibb Samson), Theatre Manager
Publication details: 
9 June 1906, on letterhead of the St James's Theatre, King Street, St James's.
£15.00

One page, 12mo. Only partially decipherable, due to Alexander's dreadful handwriting, which is reminiscent of that of his contemporary Charles Wyndham. "I shall be pleased to see you if you [...] one night next week. / Sincerely / George Alexander".

Photograph signed,

Author: 
W. H. Berry
Publication details: 
1921
£20.00

Comic actor. A charming photograph, 5 inches by 3 inches, of a winking Berry in sailor suit and cap of "H.M.S. CISSY", his arms folded across his chest. Inscribed "Yours. v. truly / W. H. Berry / 1921". Mounted on pink paper docketed "Very Popular Actor". In good condition.

Autograph note signed to Mr <Spielmann?>,

Author: 
Sir George Alexander (George Alexander Gibb Samson), Theatre Manager
Publication details: 
"Thursday" (no date), with letterhead 57 Pont Street.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. One page, 12mo. "We will call for you at about 10.30 tomorrow morning. It is very good of you."

Autograph letter signed to Sybil Rosenfeld,

Author: 
William Archer
Publication details: 
4 January 1924, with embossment 27 Fitzroy Square.
£50.00

Scotch critic and playwright (1856-1924), the Mr Gunn of G. B. Shaw's "Fanny's First Play". One page, 12mo, on the inside of a self-sealing stamped printed envelope addressed in autograph. "Dear Miss Rosenfeld / As I have had no answer to a letter I wrote to Mr Allardyce Nicoll [theatre historian, 1894-1976] some days ago, I imagine he may be out of town. I therefore write to say that I accepted his invitation to address the Mermaid Society on Thursday January 24th."

Typed letter signed to unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
Mary Moore
Publication details: 
13 November 189<6>, with letterhead of the Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly.
£20.00

English actress-manageress (1869-1931), married successively to the actor-managers James Albery and Charles Wyndham. "I much regret that owing to the many calls upon my time at present, I am unable to give you the information you require."

Autograph note signed,

Author: 
Sir George Alexander (George Alexander Gibb Samson), Theatre Manager
Publication details: 
undated, on letterhead of the St James's Theatre, King Street, St James's.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. One page, 12mo, evidently in response to a request for an autograph. "With pleasure / Yours truly / George Alexander". Negligible traces of previous mounting on reverse of blank second leaf.

autograph letters signed (x 2) to Mr [?] Brailsford,

Author: 
William Aylmer Gowing ["Walter Gordon"]
Publication details: 
one undated, the other 1887.
£25.00

Playwright under the name Walter Gordon. The first, 4 pp, 12mo, on mourning paper, 24 August 1887, c/o Mrs H. E. Rose, Buxton on the Water, Glos. "I went to Town yesterday to attend the Funeral of my old friend [John] Palgrave Simpson [dramatist and novelist, 1807-1887, DNB], returning here again this morning. / Of course the death seemed sudden when it came although one had forseen it coming for some long time past.

Autograph letter signed to Mrs Bovill,

Author: 
Johnston Forbes-Robertson
Publication details: 
21 April <1897?>, with embossment 22 Bedford Square.
£25.00

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 12mo. "Yes, with the greatest pleasure. Baker St. 11.37. - I warn you, I am a very good player." With negligible creasing and staining.

Autograph letter signed to [John] Cabourn,

Author: 
Sir Reginald Kennedy Kennedy-Cox
Publication details: 
"Sunday" [no date], with letterhead Reeth Lodge, Niton, I of W.
£45.00

Playwright and founder of Dockland Settlements (died 1966). 4 pp, 12mo. "So many apologies for taking you down to the Savoy for nothing, but the moment Mrs Potter told me she had to motor down to Staines I 'phoned all over the place in an attempt to stop you but I suppose it was too late. [...] I am very anxious for you to play a rather important part in my new play which Mrs Potter is now producing.

Autograph note signed to [Thomas Bass],

Author: 
Johnston Forbes-Robertson
Publication details: 
30 March 1905, Theatre Royal, Manchester.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 12mo. "Dear young friend, / Thank you for your kind & interesting letter. I will try to get a souvenir for you, but I fear there are none left. With every good wish".

Typed letter signed to the playwright Richard Pryce,

Author: 
Nigel Playfair
Publication details: 
6 November 1922, on letterhead of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.
£45.00

English actor-manager and director (1874-1934), knighted in 1928. He thanks him for his letter about the play "The Immortal Hour" (1907) by Fiona Macleod (William Sharp). "I am delighted that you liked it so much, and I think that gradually the public is beginning to find it out. / It will amuse you to hear that the night before last I saw a performance, at my little boys' school, of "The Dumb Cake"; a pirated version revised from memory.

Autograph letter signed to a bishop,

Author: 
Squire Bancroft
Publication details: 
4 Nov. 1901, with embossment 18 Berkeley Square.
£18.00

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. 2 pp, 12mo. "My Lord Bishop / I am sorry I cannot be of any service in the way you wish. My income is severely strained and, with regret, I have to refuse many similar applications." Traces of mounting on reverse.

Autograph note signed to Frank [?],

Author: 
Johnston Forbes-Robertson
Publication details: 
undated, with letterhead 22 Bedford Square.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 12mo. "Dear Frank, / I am too busy to see you just now, but write me what the business is. - / Yours sincerely / J. Forbes-Robertson." Not in the best of condition: creased, torn and with evidence of previous mounting on blank reverse.

Autograph letter signed to "My dear Peter",

Author: 
Leon Quartermaine
Publication details: 
no date, Haymarket Theatre, London.
£20.00

Actor (1876-1967). One page, 8vo. "I am sending you back "The Minx" - which I have read with pleasure - / The writing is charming & natural - but in my opinion the play is too slight - there is not enough to it to stand production - Perhaps I am wrong tho' -". Creased, and with two holes from ring-binding in one margin, with slight loss to text.

Autograph letter signed and one typed letter signed, both to Sewell [Stokes],

Author: 
Norman Ginsburg
Publication details: 
both 1967, both with letterhead Barum Lodge, 25 Prideaux Road, Eastbourne, Sussex.
£30.00

Playwright (1902-1991). The typed letter, 8 February 1967, one page, 8vo. An interesting letter. "I am back again! I have just had a note from Murray Macdonald. He tells me he is going to direct a new play by Tam and Maggie Williams, probaly [sic] in July. The Williams' want Gladys Cooper [English actress, 1888-1971] for it but it is a small part and she has not said "Yes" or "No" yet. She spole to Murray about "The Limit" and told him she would like to do it at Guilford. So please, please convince her that the play to do is the one by ME and not by Williams!

Autograph letter signed to Lyall Swete,

Author: 
Squire Bancroft
Publication details: 
19 July 1906, on the letterhead of the Marlborough Club, Pall Mall.
£20.00

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. 2 pp, 12mo. "Let me thank you very heartily for all the valuable work you have done for the young people in Gower Street, with a hope that it may long continue." The reference is clearly to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, in Gower Street.

Autograph letter signed to [?] Pemberton,

Author: 
William Sydney Penley, actor
Publication details: 
28 April 1890, on letterhead of Terry's Theatre, Strand, London.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1852-1912). One page, 12mo. "Dear Mr Pemberton/ / If more convenient to you Thursday at 11.30 will suit me just as well as Wednesday". Traces of previous mounting on blank reverse.

Autograph note signed to Mr [?] Stewart,

Author: 
Johnston Forbes-Robertson
Publication details: 
no date, with embossment 22 Bedford Square.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 12mo. "My dear Mr Stewart / I am so sorry, but I am engaged next Sunday. I wish it were otherwise. With very kind regards / Believe me to be / Sincerely / J. Forbes-Robertson." Traces of glue and mount on blank reverse.

Autograph letter signed to Mrs [?] Hill,

Author: 
Squire Bancroft
Publication details: 
7 July 1895, with letterhead 18 Berkeley Square.
£20.00

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. 2 pp, 12mo. "I am terribly over worked just now but must snatch a moment to tell you how truly grieved I am to know of your sad accident and illness. / I fear too, it will keep you from us on the 20th which will be indeed a regret." Signed "S. B. Bancroft".

Autograph letter signed to unnamed female correspondent,

Author: 
William Sydney Penley, actor
Publication details: 
27 November 1894, on letterhead of the Globe Theatre.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1852-1912). One page, 12mo. "Dear Madam / I sent your donation to Mrs. Wenman, with your letter She should have acknowledged it, Apologising for delay Thanking you for your kindness". Traces of previous mounting on reverse.

Autograph note signed to unnamed correspondent,

Author: 
Johnston Forbes-Robertson
Publication details: 
undated, with letterhead Hartsbourne Manor, Bushey Heath, Herts.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 8vo. Clearly in reply to a request for an autograph, "Yours truly / J. Forbes Robertson." Slight ink staining to one corner.

Autograph letter signed to the actress Hilda Trevelyan (1880-1959),

Author: 
Squire Bancroft
Publication details: 
31 October 1908, with letterhead of the Marlborough Club, Pall Mall.
£20.00

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. 2 pp, 12mo. Congratulating her on her performance in J. M. Barrie's "What Every Woman Knows". "Dear Miss Trevelyan / I had the pleasure to take Lady Bancroft to-day to see your admirable performance of a very difficult part: she was as pleased as I told her she would be. / With sincere congratulations, believe me, truly yrs: / Squire Bancroft".

Autograph note signed to unnamed correspondent,

Author: 
Johnston Forbes-Robertson
Publication details: 
February 1928, no place.
£12.00

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page 12mo. What is clearly a reply to a request for an autograph, "Yours very truly, / Johnston Forbes-Robertson. / Feb: 1928." Mounted, with slight ruckling, on a piece of pink paper, docketed "Sir J Forbes Robertson / great actor / studied under Phelp / Passing of the 3rd floor back / Knighted June 1913 / Published reminiscences 1925".

Autograph letter signed to unnamed female correspondent,

Author: 
Squire Bancroft
Publication details: 
15 December 1908, on the letterhead of the Marlborough Club, Pall Mall.
£15.00

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. One page, 12mo. He apologises for not being able to be of service in the way she wishes. "I find it necessary to limit the "Readings" to teh aid of hospitals."

Autograph note signed to an unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
Squire Bancroft
Publication details: 
28 April 1896, with embossment 18 Berkeley Square.
£20.00

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. One page, 12mo. "We have been obliged to refuse such a great number of very similar requests that I am sure you will understand how impossible it is to make exceptions." Signed "S. B. Bancroft". Small pieces of glued paper from previous mounting on blank reverse.

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