HITCHCOCK

[Robert Donat, film and stage actor.] Typed Letter Signed ('Robert.') to 'Popie', i.e. the theatre historian W. J. MacQueen-Pope, regarding his article 'Children's Theatre | Sound'.

Author: 
Robert Donat [Friedrich Robert Donat] (1905-1958), English film and stage actor, whose films included 'The 39 Steps' and 'Goodbye Mr. Chips' [W. J. MacQueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
30 October 1946. On his letterhead, 23 Three Kings Yard, London, W1.
£45.00

1p, 8vo. On aged and worn paper, with spots of rust staining from paperclip. Folded twice. Addressed to MP at 359 Strand, WC2. Reads: 'Dear Popie, | Children's Theatre | Sound | This is just to acknowledge your rough draft of the article you suggest. I have not had time to look at it yet, but I will do so as soon as I possibly can. Meanwhile, perhaps your secretary will let my secretary know the latest date for returning it.' MP's reason for sending the article to Donat is not immediately apparent. Donat's papers are in the University of Manchester Special Collections.

[Edmund Gwenn, English actor who won an Oscar for his role as 'Kris Kringle' in the Hollywood film 'Miracle on 34th Street'.] Three Autograph Letters Signed to 'Mr. Stuart', in one describing Henry Irving as the actor who impressed him most.

Author: 
Edmund Gwenn [Edmund John Kellaway] (1877-1959), English actor who worked with Alfred Hitchcock and won an Oscar for his role as Kris Kringle in the 1947 Hollywood film 'Miracle on 34th Street'
Publication details: 
21, 23 and 26 January 1939. The first from the University Arms Hotel, Cambridge; the other two from the Royal Albion Hotel, Brighton.
£250.00

The three letters in good condition, lightly aged, tipped-in onto a leaf removed from an album. The first 1p, 12mo; the other two each 1p, 8vo. All three signed 'Edmund Gwenn'. In the first he thanks him for his 'great courtesy during my visit', and for reproducing 'that old programme'. In the second letter he acknowledges 'a further proof of your kindly interest', received at his hotel after sending his first letter. The article was 'extremely interesting', as was 'the Photograph of Irving in his robes', a copy of which, he asks to purchase.

[ L. P. Williams, English art director. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Bill') and Typed Letter Signed ('Bill | Bloody Williams') to 'Edward Carrick' (Edward Craig), giving personal news and 'a little professional dirt' from Hollywood.

Author: 
L. P. Williams [ Lawrence Paul Williams ] (1905-1996), English art director in England and Hollywood 'Edward Carrick' [ pseudonym of Edward Anthony Craig ] (1905-1998), film and stage designer ]
Publication details: 
ALS: 138 Mabery Road, Santa Monica, California, USA. 12 December 1940. TLS: 1914 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA. 21 June 1941.
£80.00

Both items in fair condition, on lightly-aged and creased paper., the typed letter having a few autograph notes by Craig at end. ONE: ALS. 4pp., 8vo. He begins by telling Craig that he has been worrying about 'how to get your dope for you'. He is going to get in touch with 'Say & Drier', but does not know how the latter will react, 'being pro German you know - in the Guard Cuirasiers of the Prussian Guard in the last war'.

[ Philip Leaver, film actor and playwright. ] Typescript of his unpublished 'The Dark Shore | A Play in Three Acts'.

Author: 
Philip Leaver [ Samuel Philip Leaver ] (1904-1981), English film actor and playwright
Publication details: 
7 Primrose Hill Studios, London NW1. Undated.
£120.00

129pp., 4to. In fair condition, lightly-aged, in worn wraps with label on cover. Leaver's first name misspelled 'PHILLIP' on title-page. Unpublished.

[ Sidney Morgan, English film director ] Autograph Letter Signed to fellow film-director Percy Nash, regarding the British Association of Film Directors and the 'great fight to obtain The Quota'.

Author: 
Sidney Morgan (1874-1946), English film director, who acted for Alfred Hitchcock [ [ Percy Nash [ Percy Cromwell Nash ] (1869-1958), film director and dramatist; Cinematograph Films Act of 1927 ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the British Association of Film Directors, The Players Club, Denman Street, London. 30 May 1927.
£90.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Nash is named on the letterhead as the Association's president, and Morgan as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. The letter begins: Dear Percy / | For various reasons we did not get a largely attended meeting on Friday, but the better feeling between members seems still to grow.' Nash's 'protracted illness' has clearly necessitated his stepping down as president, and '[a]fter considerable discussion it was decided to ask Pearson & Elvey [i.e. George Pearson (1875-1973) and Maurice Elvey (1887-1967)] to be President & Vice with myself to continue'.

Manuscript 'Secretary's Books' of the 'St. Andrews Colleges Chess Club', with signed annual reports by various Club Secretaries and signatures of Club Presidents. [University of St Andrews].

Publication details: 
Dating from between 26 February 1957 and 7 March 1966.
£120.00

165pp., 4to. In a single (despite plural 'Books' in title) ruled notebook.Title on the front pastedown: 'ST. ANDREWS COLLEGES CHESS CLUB | SECRETARY'S BOOKS.' The first of the Secretaries' annual reports, 'Given at the A. G. M. on February 26th. 1957' by Robert J. V. Logan states that at the time it is 'just over three months since the Club came into re-existence [...] The Club has been meeting on Tuesday evenings in Joe's Café, where members have been playing each other.' Signatures of Grant Waller, John Smail, Michael A. Brewer, Duncan Pirie, R. H. Billington, Harry Cleghorn, W. J. P.

Signed black and white photograph by the Scottish silent movie star John Stuart, who starred in Alfred Hitchcock's first film (and another by the director), and in several Gainsborough Studios features.

Author: 
John Stuart [John Alfred Louden Croall] (1898-1979), Scottish silent movie actor [Alfred Hitchcock; Gainsborough Studios]
Publication details: 
'Photo by L. Protheroe.' Undated [1930s?].
£35.00

Black and white studio photograph, postcard format (14 x 9 cm). Laid down on leaf removed from autograph album. Good, on shiny photographic paper, with margin making dimensions of image 12.5 x 8 cm, captioned at foot 'JOHN STUART' and, in smaller type, 'PHOTO BY | L. PROTHEROE'. Stuart's inscription, in bottom right-hand corner, reads 'Best wishes | Sincerely yours | John Stuart'. Stuart's two Hitchcock films were the director's debut 'The Pleasure Gardens' (1925), and 'Number Seventeen' (1932).

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