[Julia Emilie Neilson, actress and theatre manager with her husband Fred Terry.] Two affectionate Typed Letters Signed to ‘Popie’ [the theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope], discussing her poor health, contentment in old age, and birthday.

See her entry and that of Macqueen-Pope in the Oxford DNB. The two items are in fair condition, on aged and lightly-worn paper. Both with the valediction and signature in a large flowing hand, and the second letter also with an autograph postscript. Both are 1p, 4to, and folded three times. ONE (7 July 1952): Addressed to ‘Popie my dear’ and with autograph valediction ‘Yours always / Julia’. She has ‘not been too well for over a year’, and the previous year her ‘stupid heart did foolish things’, and she was ‘ordered to bed for six weeks or more’. She is still ‘not allowed to do too much’. She concludes: ‘I suppose it is something to have lived to eighty-four, and it is not so easy to throw off things as when one was young. Still, I have had a very good innings, haven’t I, and should be contented. I am.’ TWO (19 June 1953): Addressed to ‘Dear thoughtful Popie’, with autograph valediction ‘My love / Julia’, with autograph postscript ‘Everything seems “touched” in this letter!!!’ (As the following indicates she uses the word ‘touched’ twice.) She was ‘very touched by your very sweet and I must say flattering telegram to old Julia’. He was ‘a dear to take the trouble to remember the eightyfive-year-old girl and she is always touched by the charming little compliments you pay her’. She hopes they will ‘meet again soon at a little luncheon’, and will arrange that later on.