PHOENIX

[Sir John Gielgud, distinguished English actor.] Typed Letter Signed to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope, regarding the press night of his RSC production at London's Phoenix Theatre of ‘Much Ado about Nothing’.

Author: 
Sir John Gielgud [Arthur John Gielgud] (1904-2000), distinguished English actor and theatre director, whose career spanned eight decades [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
12 January 1952; from the Phoenix Theatre, WC2 [London], on his letterhead.
£45.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. The present item relates to the 1952 RSC production of ‘Much Ado about Nothing’, directed by Gielgud and with him playing Benedick. 1p, landscape 8vo. Red-ink letterhead ‘JOHN GIELGUD’. Signed ‘John Gielgud’ and addressed to ‘Dear Popie’. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded twice. He thanks him for his ‘good wishes and thought of me.

[Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in Rattigan’s ‘Sleeping Prince’.] Duplicated typescript of article by W. Macqueen-Pope: ‘This is Real Theatre / The Oliviers Return to Town’, with carbon of covering TL, and commissioning ALS by Barbara Beauchamp.

Author: 
[Laurence Olivier [Lord Olivier] and Vivien Leigh] W. J. Macqueen-Pope [Walter James Macqueen-Pope] (1888-1960), theatre historian; Barbara Proctor Beauchamp (1909-74), journalist and novelist
Publication details: 
Beauchamp’s commissioning TLS: 15 September 1953; on letterhead of publishers Newnes & Pearson’s, London. Carbon of MP’s covering TL: 24 September 1953. MP’s article undated, but contemporaneous.
£150.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. The occasion of the article was the forthcoming premiere of Rattigan’s play ‘The Sleeping Prince’, Olivier’s production of which, at the Phoenix Theatre in London, opened on 5 November 1953. The movie rights were bought by Marilyn Monroe, and the Hollywood film appeared in 1957 as ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’, with Olivier reprising his stage role, and Rattigan also writing the filmscript. See the entries on the Oliviers and Macqueen-Pope in the Oxford DNB. Interest in Beauchamp’s novels has grown in recent years.

[Vice Admiral Thomas Brodrick.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos: Brodrick') to the Board of Ordnance, renewing a request for an armorer for his ship the Phoenix, 'now that I am going to Longreach and my Smallarms Coming on Board'.

Author: 
Vice Admiral Thomas Brodrick (died 1769), Royal Navy officer who served with distinction in the War of the Austrian Succession, the War of Jenkins' Ear and the Seven Years' War [Board of Ordnance]
Publication details: 
Deptford; 24 August 1743.
£150.00

For Brodrick's distinguished and eventful career, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, folio. In fair condition, aged and worn, with chipping to one edge carrying traces of grey paper mount, and closed tear at foot repaired on reverse with archival tape. Addressed at bottom left 'To the Honle: Board of Ordnance'. Reads: 'Gentlemen | I wrote you the 7th Inst: to desire that you would please to appoint an Armorer for his Majestys Ship the Phoenix under my Command and now that I am going to Longreach and my Smallarms Coming on Board I beg you Will appoint for me'. Endorsed: 'answer'd 26 August'.

[ Thomas Henry Burke, Irish civil servant killed in the Phoenix Park Murders. ] Autograph Signature ('T H Burke') on part of an 'Authority to discharge'.

Author: 
Thomas Henry Burke (1829-1882), Permanent Under Secretary at the Irish Office, killed in the Phoenix Park Murders
Publication details: 
[ Dublin. ] Chief Secretary Office D.C. 'Discharged 20 March | 1875'.
£150.00

Piece of paper, approximately 15 x 21 cm, torn from the second and concluding leaf of a bifolium. Aged and worn, with repair to a closed tear. Burke's signature is at the foot, preceded by writing in another hand, thus: 'Hugh Mc. Mahon respectively. | I am, | Sir, | Your Obedient Servant, | J H Burke'. On the reverse, in ink: 'Chief Secretary Office D.C | Authority to discharge John & Hugh McMahon | also | Edward, Patrick & Bernard Mc.Swine | on entering into Bail self £2. with two Sureties £5 each.' Beneath this, at foot: 'Recd. & Ansd. | Discharged'.

Autograph Note Signed ('F. Cavendish') to unnamed female correspondent.

Author: 
Lord Frederick Charles Cavendish (1836-82), murdered by the Irish National Invincibles in Phoenix Park, Dublin
Publication details: 
16 August 187<?>; on embossed letterhead 'Holker Hall, Carke-in-Cartmel, Carnforth.'
£50.00

One page, 12mo. Good, with blank second leaf of bifolium mounted on larger piece of card, which is docketed with biographical information. Right-hand side of leaf very slightly cropped, resulting in loss of last digit of year. Bold, clear signature. Reads 'Madam. | According to your request I beg to sign myself | Your obedt Servt | F. Cavendish'.

Autograph Note Signed ('Plunket') to Dr Heffernan.

Author: 
William Conyngham Plunket, 1st Baron Plunket (1764-1854), Lord Chancellor of Ireland
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£45.00

16mo, 1 p, 5 lines. Gilt-edged bifolium, laid down by small strip of inner margin of verso of second leaf to square of paper cut from autograph album. The mount docketed in a contemporary hand. Good, with remains of red wax seal broken in two and adhering to verso of second leaf, which carries the address to 'Doctor Heffernan | &c &c' (franked 'P'). Reads 'Dear Sir | will you be so good as to call in here at any time this morning most convenient to you | Yours &c | [signed] Plunket'. Small ink smudge by Plunket in right margin.

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