[‘Britain's first recorded broadcast comedian’.] Autograph Letter Signed and Typed Letter Signed from Helena Millais to W. Macqueen-Pope, with printed press release for her show ‘Songs and Laughter’.

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) On 20 October 1922 Millais broadcast on 2LO radio, becoming the first comedian on what was later to become the BBC. In a performance on 21 November 1922 she became the third entertainer to appear on the week-old BBC. All three items in good condition, lightly aged, though the autograph letter has pin holes to a corner, and the typed letter rust from a paperclip. Both letters signed ‘Helena Millais’. ONE: TLS. 3pp, 12mo. Having met him ‘at various C.A.A. evenings, she asks him for advice about several books. ‘Do you with your great knowledge of the Stage and books, know if these are of any value and if they would be useful to anyone like Sir Laurence or any producer.’ She enjoyed his article on the St James Theatre. ‘Sir George Alexander was responsible for my first Engagement, when I went on Tour to play Kathie in “Old Heidelburg” when I was not quite 16’. Alexander was ‘charming to me and it was a lovely theatre. If only the Stage were as dignified and charming today, I know that period is ow Oldfashioned and “Stuffy” but the writers and Actors did know their business, and productions were beautifully done. [D]o you remember [dear?] Ashes productions at Her Majestys / Lovely, and Trees at the same theatre, when only the best was good enough’. TWO: ALS. 2pp, 12mo. She is looking forward to his ‘St James’ book’ and wonders about ‘your Palladium one you were thinking of doing? - It was built by Walter Gibbons who married my [?] who wasa daughter of Adney Payne, sister of Walter Payne.’ THREE: Printed press release. 1p, foolscap 8vo. Headed: ‘Songs and Laughter / Helena Millais / in Songs and “Fragments from Life” / (Impressions of Everyday Things) / Miss Millais needs no special place, and can work with or without an accompanist.’ A long list of engagements follows, ending ‘Also numerous Private engagements for well-known people.’ The press comments, in small print and in double column, include ones from Punch, Bath Chronicle, Sheffield Evening Telegraph and Modern Wireless (‘Helena Millais has the perfect Radio Style. When she is putting across a Number she addresses the Microphone as one Lady to another, she is so intimate and appealing that you almost expect the microphone to reply.’).