THEATRICAL

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.

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.

English actor (1839-93). One page, 8vo, mounted on piece of paper with cutting from envelope addressed in autograph to "Trench Kirkpatrick Esq / Donacomper / Celbridge Court Kildare / Ireland". "Aint it ot it is awful ot." / Our Boys" / Faithfully yours / David James / Vaudeville Theatre / October 17th 79 / To Trench Kirkpatrick". James made his fortune in 1875 in H. J. Byron's "Our Boys".

Actress and singer. 3 pp, 12mo. She apologises for not answering sooner. She "will be in Manchester again this coming winter" and will send a photograph which she hopes he will like. "I dont dislike Manchester - for the week I was there - it didn't rain at all. Well I must close as I must get ready to sing."

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'.

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.

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".

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

English actor (1846-1909). 4 pp, 12mo. Interesting letter relating to marriage and the acting profession. "I do not agree with the opinion expressed by Mr J. T. Green respecting the early & unhappy marriages of actors & actresses having to play love scenes together. I think in most cases of love making upon the stage it is looked upon as purely a matter of business. Doubtless there are exceptional cases, but the marriages of actors & actresses are mostly happy - Mr. & Mrs. Kendal. playing lovers - a long life of married happiness - Mr. & Mrs. Edmund Compton - Mr.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 8vo. "I shall be delighted to come and lunch with you on Thursday, June 11th., if that will suit your convenience, and the invalid promises to be quite well by that time!" Traces of mount glued to reverse of blank second leaf.

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.

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.

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.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. The first, signed on Wyndham's behalf by "A. R. S." "I find that instead of putting down Sir Robert Morier's address in my note-book, I simply noted down the evening. Will you kindly send me the address." The second, "Very many thanks. If my rehearsals for my "off season" piece permit me, I shall be very happy to come. Will you kindly grant me a few days' grace to ascertain." Both letters with damage to blank second leaf, including traces of glue and mount. Two items,

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."

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. "At present & for some time past I am & have been absorbed in work preparing a New Year production. In 2 weeks, I go out of the & will then go into the play untrammeled by other matters."

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. "I find that Mrs Wyndham & I am assured myself also, pledged ourselves not to see The Two Roses without Mrs Sabrialli & Mrs. Albery - the same kind of pledge I made to you I have therefore resolved to keep both promises if you have no objection - & shall throw the two boxes I have reserved for all of us into one, so as to make a family party. / We cannot however this evening go to supper with you.

Vocalist and composer (1774-1841). Piece of 4to paper with stationer's embossment folded over and attached with sealing wax. Addressed on one side to "Charles Farley Esq / Theatre Royal / Covt. Garden". "Dear Farley / If you can with perfect convenience give me an order for this on tomorrow night you will oblige an old friend / T Philipps / My lecturers privilege is at your service for any friend during my course at any of the institutions". Slight loss (without loss to text) caused by opening of letter.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 2 pp, 8vo. "I will let you know tomorrow. I have been working towards a certain goal - The T of P with the original cast. There has been a little uncertainty about an artist & I have been tempted to try other actors. I shall know by tomorrow". Smuding to recto, but signature not affected.

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. One page, 12mo. "Glad to hear from you: <?> had told me that you were soldiering. I wish you could have been here with us but yours is a glorious job. Good luck attend you & our arms". Creased, and with traces of previous mounting on blank reverse.

Actor and costume designer (1868-?). The first letter, docketted "Alas poor Tom -", to Miss Grosvenor, 4 December 1940, 18 Selwood Terrace., 2 pp, 8vo. He apologises for not being able to attend any of her at homes. "I have been at Plymouth & Cardiff the last fortnight with H. B. Irving [Henry Brodribb Irving, 1870-1919] arranging his new play". The second letter, to L. E. Berman, 21 April 1940, with embossment 52 Temple Fortune Hill, 2 pp, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. He thanks him for forwarding the letter from Barking.

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".

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."

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.