[Sir Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Autograph Letter Signed to Shirley Brooks, future editor of Punch, discussing his autograph and that of his wife the actress Helena Faucit, and portait photographs by Disderi and others.

See the two men's entries, with that of Helena Faucit, in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. Addressed to 'Shirley Brooks Esq' and signed 'Theodore Martin'. Brooks has evidently asked for autographs and photographs of Martin and his wife, the celebrated actres Helena Faucit (1817-1898). The letter begins: 'My dear Brooks / Here are the autographs you wish. There is not in all The Lady of Lyons one line to which any reasonable being could wish to attach his name. It is only the situations which are good for anything. Mrs Martin has therefore written a Sentence of Portia's, the Lady of Belmont.' He next discusses photographs of himself and his wife. He criticises Watkins's images of him, and asks to accept instead 'one of Disderi's which my friends say is characteristic. All the photographs of Mrs. Martin, published & unpublsihed, are simply execrable. Some day I hope to get Silvy to do something better, but she has such an aversion to sitting for her portrait, that this is by no means certain.' He praises Brooks's 'Elysian Fields' before referring (perhaps sarcastically) to the 'magniicent programme Dyson & Co. have settled for the 23d of April'. He is surprised 'they have omitted to secure the co-operation of the proprietors of Punch & Judy!'