Autograph Letters

Novelist. Total 4pp., 8vo, in the most substantial of which he confesses to being "a most barren person . . . the very act of composition is one of exceeding pain & travail". He is considering a proposal to write something to help the Journalists Orphan Fund. One note concerns the Thackeray Charterhouse Dinner, the other conveys thanks for a fee and pleases that an Exhibition was successful. Three items,

Actress (1839-1921), wife of the actor-manager Squire Bancroft. The first letter, to Lady Hayter, "Thursday" (no date), 2 pages, 8vo. "Shall you have any military music on Friday? If so, I should like to see the Trumpeter for I want him to play some calls during a recitation. I would run in between 3 & 4 some day just to have a little talk on the subject." The second letter, to an unnamed male correspondent, "Tuesday", 3 pp, 12mo. She thanks him for sending the stalls to the concert, but is sorry that she cannot attend because "Mr.

Barrister and author (1795-1862). One page, 12mo. "Dear Ellis, / Doe v.

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. 2 pp, 12mo. "Let me thank you very heartily for all the valuable work you have done for the young people in Gower Street, with a hope that it may long continue." The reference is clearly to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, in Gower Street.

Unionist politician, husband from 1881 of the heiress to the banking fortune and noted Victorian philanthropist, Angela Georgiana, Baroness Burdett-Coutts (1814-1906), whose name he adopted. One page, 12mo. No more than a dozen words. Bad handwriting. "Dear Sir / Could you send this note <?>". Signed "Burdett-Coutts".

Art dealer and Member of Parliament ((1825-1910). He is writing to her because hers is the first name on a list of "ladies" who have signed a petition "in favour of the extension of the suffrage to women householders". He has presented the petition with which he sympathises.

2pp., 8vo, discussing work in progress and promising to get the MS to "Andre" by Christmas. He will also be "Max O'Relling" (as a participle) a MS sent to him by Mouillet.

South-Eastern Railway secretary, social reformer, author ((1812-1904). Two pages, 8vo. He is presenting one of his books, presumably the "Life of George Stephenson" which was published in July of that year: "The book has been written under great disadvantage, - and has been scraped together as it were out of the scraps & odd bits of my lesser moments. But such as it is I hope it will afford you some pleasure to read." Smiles wrote "Self-Help" among other significant books.

Lawyer and politician (1835-1916). "Dear Sir / I have so many calls on my resources & already subscribe to so many Cricket Clubs in Chatham that I fear I shall not be able to comply with your request - / Yrs very faithfully / J. E. Gorst". With traces of previous mounting to the reverse of the blank second leaf.

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. 2 pp, 12mo. "I am terribly over worked just now but must snatch a moment to tell you how truly grieved I am to know of your sad accident and illness. / I fear too, it will keep you from us on the 20th which will be indeed a regret." Signed "S. B. Bancroft".

English actress-manageress (1869-1931), married successively to the actor-managers James Albery and Charles Wyndham. "I much regret that owing to the many calls upon my time at present, I am unable to give you the information you require."

2pp, 8vo, remains of tape indicating from album, headed "Gambia Committee, 3 King Street, Westminster, "We beg respectfully to inform you that a Deputation to protest against the proposal to cede the River Gambia to France, will wait upon Earl Carnarvon ........" Thjey request Molineux's presence. {In fact, GB retained possession.]

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 12mo. "Yes, with the greatest pleasure. Baker St. 11.37. - I warn you, I am a very good player." With negligible creasing and staining.

Author and editor (1722-1791). Two pages, 4to. comprising a note and a list of questions, a tear but not affecting text. Whalley requests Lye's help in getting answers to these questions concerning the history of Easton (Northants), a history drawn "from Mr Bs [Bridges'] Collections". Whalley eventually published "History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire" compiled from Bridges' manuscript collections in 1791.

Surgeon (1836-1901). "My dear Lanyon, / The young woman who has been working for me for some time past comes here when I want her to work, very well knowing my writing &c. I should not like to change without Cause but if an opportunity occur would be glad to assist your friend. I am sorry I missed seeing you, but I hope I shall be fortunate when you call again." Signed "W. MacCormac". With four pieces of gummed paper from mounting still adhering.

Musical composer (1801-1873). One page, 4to. He says simply that "it will not be in his power to attend the meeting of the Catch Club on Tuesday the 19th [?].."

Historian of music and critic (1814-1887). Three pages, 8vo. He is finding prior engagements preventing his viisiting. He then discusses his researches into the life of Incledon (vocalist) including early memories (in discussion of first names), tombstone information, and the inaccuracy of a predecessor. The letter has been annotated by a few words (perhaps Marshall), in the most significant entry, giving Grove references.

Novelist. One page each, 8vo. He is responding to an invitation and outlining a busy schedule. 2 items,

Irish Painter, poet, dramatist and novelist (1770-1850). He gives his correspondent the address of a "Mr Herbert" who was, according to the Post Office Directory of 1846, a professor and publisher of music.

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. 2 pp, 12mo. Congratulating her on her performance in J. M. Barrie's "What Every Woman Knows". "Dear Miss Trevelyan / I had the pleasure to take Lady Bancroft to-day to see your admirable performance of a very difficult part: she was as pleased as I told her she would be. / With sincere congratulations, believe me, truly yrs: / Squire Bancroft".

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 12mo. "Dear young friend, / Thank you for your kind & interesting letter. I will try to get a souvenir for you, but I fear there are none left. With every good wish".

Compiler and educational writer, including "Scientific Dialogues" (1764-1816). One page, 8vo, sl. grubby and frayed but text clear and complete. "I enclose you what I drew up for the M{onthly] Magazine" asking for it to be returned as it is his only copy. He refers to the ill health of Mrs Calder [?], presumably the correspondent's wife to whom he sends good wishes and compliments. In a postscript he says "you will in No. Xii of Nicholson have an article on Will - freedom, by the author of the art.[?]Necessity".

English comic actor and dramatist (1802-79). 2 pp, 12mo. Concerning the staging of a new play. "Yates has the first & 2d acts complete - It must be in 4 parts / I am now on the 4th.: when can I have the sheets & illustrations of the entire romance?" Details of the first two acts follow. "When I get your work complete a very few days will complete me, - I leave town on the 20th of this month for a fortnight and am anxious to (indeed I must) finish before I start / Rodwell is composing "Jolly Rose" for Bedford to sing at Woods party." Somewhat grubby, with browning in the margins.

English dramatist (1851-1929). The first, one page, 12mo, 2 December 1896, with letterhead Townshend House, North Gate, Regents Park. "If Macmillans have no objection I am quite willing for you to include Michael and His Lost Angel in your volume of plays. Will you see or write them?" The second, no date, Townshend House, Regent's Park, on deleted letterhead of the Queen's Hotel, Southsea, one page, 12mo. "I'll see Macmillan's when I am in town and will write you further - meantime I suppose you won't be publishing". Two items,

Actor and dramatist (1802-1879). Three pages, 8vo, some marking but good condition. He asks for a mention of his Benefit. It is his last night at the Haymarket before he joins Madame Vestris at the Lyceum. He names the play, "The Beaux Startagem", adds that "Mr John Reeve son of the late celebrated comedian will also make his first appearance in Public in one of his father's characters, while Mr Buckstone will follow in Mr Planche's highly successful Drama of "The Jacobite".m He encloses cards (for entry?).

English actor (1830-1904). One page, 12mo. "My dear Farquhar / Quite right! I had already written to Mr. Lumley on the subject & expect him to Rehearsal on Monday. Hope Coventry's trip has done him good."

Novelist. She assures him that she is "still in the land of the living, and is initially flattered that he is showing an interest (in her autograph). Then she realises that he has mentioned books by her sister (M. Findlater) and has confused her with her sister - "but it is all the same to us!". She mentions that she enclosed an advertisement for "the last edition of my best-known book, suggesting he would find it an interesting read.

4 pp, 8vo. A long letter discussing the restoration of the ship. "[...] I have always appreciated (and envied) your personal experience of sail in days when seamanship in the old sense really meant something. [...] No one is better qualified to speak with authority on the restoration of a historic sailing vessel than you are". Five points are discussed: "The position of the upper topsail yards. [...] royal yards [...] fitting sails [...] ropes [...] Maintenance."

Dean of Norwich (1818-97), and writer on religious matters. One page, 12mo. Recto: "<...> "The Homes for the Widows and Unmarried "Daughters of deceased Clergymen," and its object is to provide gratuitously for such Ladies clea and quiet Lodgings in a respectable part of Londo. The Instin is struggling on with fair success, and since its commencement one or two new Lodging Houses have been affiliated under Miss Reid's (the Foundress's) superintendence; but the last year was, for causes over which <...>".

Theatre producer (1908-1973). "Thank you so much for your letter. I entirely appreciate your difficulties and I am most grateful to you. I hope that L. E. Berman can let me have the original manuscript as I should be most grateful. / I am sorry you have not received the photographs as promised and I will look into this immediately." Not in the best of condition: creased and grubby.