[Berta Ruck, popular writer of romantic fiction.] Typed Letter Signed to the theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, asking for advice and praising his later book, with observations on reminiscence.

See her entry and his in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and slightly creased at extremities. Addressed to ‘My Dear Mr. MacQueen Pope’ and signed (in block capitals) ‘BERTA RUCK’. She begins by reminding him that ‘some years ago you were very kind to me when I was on the search for copy and you took me all over Drury Lane Theatre telling me also about the Drury Lane ghost (I’m very interested in ghosts) and this story was one of the most convincing.’ As there are are ‘no references to look up’ in the ‘remote village’ in which she finds herself, she appeals to his good nature again, regarding ‘what plays were on at which theatres’ in the summer of 1925. ‘I must have been to dozens myself and hang my head in shame because I have got them all mixed up. / I want about six of the most outstanding and anything that had been going on already forever. I actually forget even if Chu Chin Chow had been taken off.’ She hopes he will not mind her ‘appealing to Caesar in this way. Actually I have found much more satisfaction as a rule in doing this rather than approaching the less outstanding experts.’ She commends his book ‘Twenty Shillings In The Pound’, observing: ‘One of my brothers is a hundred per cent Edwardian and the golden days of his life co-incided with the last of that reign. He agreed with every word you say. / I, though older, am of milder mood and think that much of this nostalgia for the past may be - not because everything was really so much better but becuase we being young then enjoyed life more. However, he positively wept over every page.’