TOURS

[ Frank E. Tours, Hollywood composer and musical director. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Frank Tours') to the theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope, containing reminiscences of his London theatre days (George Dance, Marie Lloyd, Stanley Logan).

Author: 
Frank E. Tours [ Frank Tours; Frank Edward Tours ] (1877-1963), English-born Hollywood composer and musical director (Marx Brothers; Citizen Kane; The Emperor Jones) [ W. J. Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960)]
Publication details: 
South Laguna. 20 January 1951.
£200.00

3pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with slight staining to one corner from paper clip. A good letter, filled with detail. Apart from brief opening and closing paragraphs the whole of the letter is devoted to reminiscences of his life before leaving England for America. At one point he comments: 'it is only when one is thinking back, as I am now, that one realizes the speed with which time fugits; it is now 21 years since I have been home, and 30 years since Bob and I were in "Irene" at the Empire.' The reminiscences begin: 'Barring a trip to U. S. and Australia with G. P.

[ Henri Rochefort, French politician. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('henri Rochefort'), in French, to a 'Bien Cher Confrere', with reference to his future son-in-law Frédéric Dufaux. With copy of J. Mercier's satirical journal 'La Laterne d'Arlequin'.

Author: 
Henri Rochefort [ Victor Henri Rochefort, Marquis de Rochefort-Luçay ] (1831-1913), French politician and polemicist [ Frédéric Dufaux (1852-1943), Swiss sculptor; Jerome Mercier, editor ]
Publication details: 
The letter without place or date. 'La Lanterne d'Arlequin': Imprimerie Ernest Mazereau, Tours. 24 October 1886.
£56.00

Rochefort's letter: 1p., 12mo. Thirteen lines of text. In fair condition, aged and worn. Following an 'aimable visite' he thanks him for 'le plus charmant article', with reference to 'Mr. Dufaux' (Rochefort's future son-in-law) and 'son tableau ' and 'son buste'. After more graceful thanks and a request he ends, 'Mille poignés de main avec la moitié pour Neville'. The copy of 'La Laterne d'Arlequin' (not to be confused with Rochefort's 'La Lanterne') is 16pp., 12mo, in its original orange printed wraps. In good condition, lightly aged.

Autograph Letter Signed ('J. J. Bourassé'), in French, to an unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Abbé Jean-Jacques Bourassé (1813-1872), French archaeologist and author
Publication details: 
6 June 1853; Tours.
£56.00

8vo, 1 p. On lightly creased and grubby paper. Declining to become a corresponding member of the 'Institut historique', as 'les ressources me manquent pour payer les diplomes et les annuités nombreuses qu'imposent les honneurs, quelque flatters qu'ils soient, qu'ont bien voulu me proposer diverses societes savantes'. He has been president of the Archaeological Society of Touraine for some time, and he takes pleasure in reading the publications of the 'Institut historique', received by the Society.

Autograph Note Signed ('J. Ashby-Sterry') to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Joseph Ashby-Sterry (1836-1917), English novelist, poet, journalist and painter
Publication details: 
Saint Martin's Chambers, Trafalgar Square [London] (on cancelled Garrick Club letterhead); 18 November 1889.
£28.00

One page, 16mo. Good. Six lines. He may be 'giving some lectures in London shortly'. 'If I could make it worth my while to deliver them at some of the leading provincial towns, I might possibly arrange to do so. Therefore any information you could give me on the subject, I should be only too happy to have'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Paul Blouët') in English to unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Max O'Rell' (Paul Blouet, 1848-1903), French humorous writer and journalist, Editor of the Paris 'Figaro'
Publication details: 
20 September 1893; 4 Bentinck Terrace, Regent's Park, London N.W.
£45.00

One page, 12mo. Very good on lightly aged paper. Giving details of a proposed lecture. He was to have been in Salford, Manchester, but the dates have been changed. Can only offer two dates. '<?> the two years' <?> has been a huge success & a most interesting journey by which we have all benefited. I remember the Bolton audience with great pleasure. Kindly name the subject you choose. My fee: ten guineas as before.' Accompanied by magazine cutting of photographic portrait captioned 'M. PAUL BLOUET ("MAX O'RELL"), NEW EDITOR OF THE PARIS "FIGARO."

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