Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'T: Dibdin') from the playwright and song-writer Thomas Dibdin to his publisher John Whitaker of Button & Whitaker of St Paul's Churchyard, discussing work and finances; with an autograph cheque signed by Dibdin.

Author: 
Thomas Dibdin [Thomas John Dibdin] (1771-1841), dramatist, song-writer, author of pantomime 'Mother Goose' and song 'The Snug Little Island' [Button & Whitaker, music publishers, St Pauls Churchyard]
Publication details: 
The two letters: 'Weston Green 10th: July [1812]' and 'Johnsons Coffee House | Monday Evg: [July 1812]'. Cheque: 'London September 19th: 1817'.
£320.00
SKU: 11275

All three items are on stubs, within a card wallet. All good, on aged paper. Letter One: 'Weston Green 10th: July'. 1 p, 4to. On bifolium, with verso of second leaf addressed to 'Mr: Whitaker | St: Pauls Church Yard | London', with two postmarks (one 'KINGSTON - T | 12'), and docketed 'Mr; T. Dibdin | July 1812.' Whitaker will have 'two, or perhaps all three' of the songs by Monday's post, and 'with respect to the remuneration, I am still from the failure of my last Opera in want of the Sum I once before mentioned to you - if you woud [sic] procure me the Loan of a hundred or a hundred and fifty Pounds for a few Months you shall be welcome by way of Interest to any thing my Efforts in the scribbling way can furnish'. He will send 'the Song of Mr: Spriggs' on the Monday, and asks for an answer to be sent to 'Johnsons Coffee house, Surrey Theater'. Letter Two: 'Johnsons Coffee House | Monday Evg:'. 1 p, 4to. On bifolium, with recto of second leaf addressed to 'Mr: Whitaker | W: Smithfield', and verso of second leaf docketed 'Mr. T. Dibdin | July 1812.' He is sending 'Mr: Spriggs & nine Songs for Choice or to keep all, if of any use, and if there is any other Style you can point out I will gladly adopt it [...] there are 8 Lady's & one Sailors Song - but the latter might be sung by a Lady'. He has a farce 'accepted by Mr. Harris in which I shall introduce the Song Fawcett refused for Matthews which you I hope will publish - & if you woud [sic] take a Ballad in it I'll write one for you - there are no other Songs in the Piece'. Cheque: Addressed 'To Messrs. Button & Whitaker | St. Pauls Church Yard', and dated 'London September 19th: 1817'. Entirely in manuscript on rectangular slip of paper, 23.5 x 9.5 cm. With embossed tax stamp. 'Two Months after date please to pay me or my Order the Sum of One Hundred and Fifty Pounds Value received | [Signed] Thos Dibdin'. Crossed, endorsed, and accepted by Sir John Lubbock & Co. With typed transcript of the three items.