acting

[Sybil Thorndike [Dame Agnes Sybil Thorndike], distinguished English actress.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mr. Bagnall’, and Autograph Card Signed to Victor Jones, both expressing thanks.

Author: 
Sybil Thorndike [Dame Agnes Sybil Thorndike] (1882-1976), distinguished English actress whose career spanned six decades
Publication details: 
ONE: ALS to Bagnall, 2 September [no year]; on letterhead of the Midland Hotel, Manchester. TWO: ACS to Jones, ‘New Theatre W.C.2. [London] Feb. 8.’, with London postmark dated 9 February 1945.
£45.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. ONE: ALS to Bagnall. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Reads: ‘Dear Mr. Bagnall. / How very kind of you to write me such a charming letter. I did appreciate all you said – thank you very much / Sincerely yrs / Sybil Thorndike’. TWO: ACS addressed to ‘Victor Jones Esq. / 83. Ravenhurst Road. / Harborne. / Birmingham.’ Signed ‘Sybil Thorndike.’ Aged and discoloured, with address side lightly stained. She is not sure whether she thanked him for his ‘sweet letter & card for Xmas -it was such a very kind thought & I must seem ungracious!

[Gladys Cooper [Dame Gladys Constance Cooper], English actress, star of stage and screen.] Signed Autograph Inscription to ‘Minna May’ from ‘“Auntie” Gladys’, removed from autograph album.

Author: 
Gladys Cooper [Dame Gladys Constance Cooper (1888-1971), English actress, star of stage and screen whose career spanned seven decades
Publication details: 
1935. No place.
£25.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. On 15.5 x 5.5 cm slip of paper, cut from an autograph album. In good condition, lightly aged, with some show-through from the writing on the reverse. Reads ‘To Minna May / With my love / “Auntie” Gladys / Gladys Cooper / 1935’. See Image.The writing rises slightly across the page, and a small section at the bottom of the initial ‘G’ and the ‘y’ of ‘Gladys’ have been trimmed away. On the reverse is the following, in an unidentified hand: ‘Philatelic Minna May / Came to lunch with me today: / took my box of stamps away, / Says she’ll bring ’em back – some day!

[The Abbey Theatre, Dublin, 1914.] Printed programme for the first production of 'The Prodigal' by Walter Riddall, produced by A. Patrick Wilson, with orchestra conducted by John F. Larchet.

Author: 
Abbey Theatre, Dublin, founded by W. B. Yeats, Lady Gregory and Edward Martyn; Walter Riddall; A. Patrick Wilson; John F. Larchet
Publication details: 
Production between 30 September and 3 October 1914. Abbey Theatre, Lower Abbey Street and Marlborough Street, Dublin, Ireland.
£120.00

From the Sylvia and Robert Lynd papers. A scarce piece of Abbey Theatre ephemera: the National Library of Ireland has a copies of the programmes for later revivals of the play in the Joseph Holloway collection (1918-1920), but does not have this one. ‘The Prodigal’ was Riddall’s only play. It ran for five performances between 30 September and 3 October, Riddall having died earlier in the year. It was revived in 1916, 1919 and 1923. 4pp, 12mo. Stapled into grey Abbey Theatre wraps. In fair condition, aged and worn, with one vertical fold.

[Sir Michael Redgrave, distinguished English actor.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mr. Macdermid’, giving his reason for not wanting to join his club (not wanting to join those who are ‘known as cranks’).

Author: 
Sir Michael Redgrave [Sir Michael Scudamore] (1908-1985), English actor and head of theatrical family dynasty
Publication details: 
25 March [1944]. Garrick Theatre W.C.2. [London]. On his letterhead.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. Eighteen lines, closely written. On creased grey paper, with short closed tear at edge of central crease. The year 1944 has been added in another hand. Addressed to ‘Dear Mr. Macdermid’ and signed ‘Michael Redgrave’. He is grateful to him for the suggestion that he ‘should be an Hon. Associate Member of your Club, to which I wish every success’, but feels ‘rather strongly that I must not put my name to anything more than I can actively take part in - even if activity is confined to letter writing etc.

[Milton Sills [Milton George Gustavus Sills], American actor, star of stage and screen, Hollywood matinee idol.] Autograph Inscription Signed.

Author: 
Milton Sills [Milton George Gustavus Sills] (1882-1930), American actor, star of stage and screen, Hollywood matinee idol
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£20.00

On a 12 x 6.5 cm piece of paper. In fair condition, lightly discoloured and spotted, with traces of paper from mount on reverse. Central vertical crease. A neat, tight inscription, clearly in response to a request for an autograph, reading, ‘Sincerely / Milton Sills’. Image on request.

[Winifred Shotter, English stage and screen actress who starred in the Aldwych farces.] Autograph Signature to publicity photograph by Mannell of London.

Author: 
Winifred Shotter [Winifred Florence Shotter], English stage and screen actress from Hackney, London, who starred in the Aldwych farces of the 1920s and 1930s [Mannell of London]
Publication details: 
No date (1930s). Stamped on reverse ‘MANNELL LONDON’.
£20.00

Sepia studio portrait on 8.5 x 13.5 cm postcard, stamped on reverse 'MANNELL LONDON'. In good condition, lightly aged. She signs 'Winifred Shotter' at foot. A soft-toned head and shoulders portrait of a wistful Shotter, with Marcel wave, staring at the camera in a fashionable frock. Scan on application.

[Paul Robeson, black American singer and actor of international repute, prominent in the Harlem Renaissance and Civil Rights Movement.] Autograph Signature from album.

Author: 
Paul Robeson [Paul Leroy Robeson] (1898-1976), black American baritone singer and actor of international repute, prominent in the Harlem Renaissance and Civil Rights Movement
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£25.00

On piece of pink paper roughly 13.5 x 9.5 cm. Reads: ‘Every good wish / Paul Robeson.’ No other writing, and the good firm signature with plenty of space around it. In good condition lightly aged, with thin strip of discoloration running through the ‘E’ of ‘Every’. Scan on application.

[Mary Anderson de Navarro, American Shakespearian actress.] Autograph Signature on postcard.

Author: 
Mary Anderson [later Mary Anderson de Navarro] (1859-1940), American Shakespearian actress
Publication details: 
On postcard with stamp and postmark of Broadway, Worcestershire [USA], 26 August 1905.
£35.00

Anderson spent six years in England in the 1880s, acting to much acclaim at venues including the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-on-Avon. In 1887 she was the first actress to take on both roles of Perdita and Hermione at once in the Winter’s Tale. On 14 x 9 cm postcard, addressed (by the recipient) to ‘Norman Wetton / 7, Claremont Road, / Forest Gate, / Essex.’ Slightly grubby and worn, but in fare condition overall. On the blank side she writes: ‘Broadway / Worc / Mary Anderson de Navarro / Auto Graph only’. Scan on application

[Joan Barry, British film actress who worked with Alfred Hitchcock in the early days of the ‘talkies’.] Autograph Signature to publicity photograph.

Author: 
Joan Barry [born Ina Florence Marshman Bell] (1903-1989), British film actress, who worked with Alfred Hitchcock and was mother of the Duchess of Bedford
Publication details: 
No date or place (1920s or early 1930s).
£25.00

Sepia portrait on 10 x 15 cm photographic print, on card. In good condition, lightly aged. Good bold inscription across foot: ‘Best wishes / Joan Barry’. A soft-toned head-and-shoulders portrait of a Marcel-waved Barry, staring dreamily to the left, with pursed made-up lits, in a sleeveless white gown with pearls and bracelet, left hand to chin and right hand supporting left elbow. Scan on application.

[Herbert Marshall, English actor and Hollywood movie star.] Autograph Signature on publicity photograph.

Author: 
Herbert Marshall [Herbert Brough Falcon Marshall] (1890-1966), English actor and Hollywood movie star
Publication details: 
No date or place. [1930s]
£25.00

11.5 x 16 cm image on 18 x 12.5 cm card. Signed at foot ‘Herbert Marshall.’ An urbane Marshall is seated, looking over his left shoulder while cradling his hands on his knees, in a grey pin-striped suit, in front of a plain white background. In good condition, but with a horizontal strip of the card trimmed above Marshall’s head. Scan on application.

[Ivor Novello, hugely-popular Welsh stage and screen actor, dramatist, singer and composer.] Autograph Signature to publicity photograph.

Author: 
Ivor Novello [David Ivor Davies] (1893-1951), Welsh stage and screen actor, dramatist, singer and composer, one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century
Publication details: 
No date or place [1930s?].
£35.00

Novello’s three decades of unprecedented success began with the First World War song ‘Keep the home fires burning’. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 8.5 x 13.5 cm publicity photograph on postcard, printed in sepia. In good condition, with tiny dink at top left. Captioned at foot ‘MR. IVOR NOVELLO’. Prim-looking with side-parting in white shirt, tie, and dark double breasted suit, the darkness of which makes the signature ‘Ivor Novello’ rather difficult to make out. Scan on application

[Dame Wendy Hiller, distinguished stage and screen actress.] Autograph Signature to publicity photograph.

Author: 
Dame Wendy Hiller [Wendy Margaret Hiller] (1912-2003), distinguished English stage and screen actress over six decades
Publication details: 
No date or place (1940s?).
£25.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. 8 x 13 cm collotype print, with 8 x 2 cm space at bottom in which she signs ‘Wendy Hiller.’ In good condition, lightly aged. Black and white, with Hiller’s face in left profile, her body at three-quarters, squinting to her right while wearing what looks like a buttoned-up sou’-wester. Scan on application.

[Doris Keane, American actress.] Autograph Signature on photographic portrait published as 'SUPPT. TO GREAT NOVELS'.

Author: 
Doris Keane (1881-1945), American actress
Publication details: 
Card by 'BASSANO'.
£25.00

Black and white photographic portrait, on 4.5 x 6.5 cm piece of shiny card. Signature 'Doris Keane' across bottom of image. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with strips of tape around the edges to make a border, but hardly discoloured. Printed at head: 'SUPPT. TO GREAT NOVELS.', and at bottom 'DORIS KEANE / BASSANO'. A head and shoulders portrait, in which Keane faces the viewer, in fur hat and coat with fur collar. Scan on application.

[Bill Johnson, Hollywood and Broadway actor and singer.] Autograph Signature on publicity photo James J. Kriegsmann of New Jersey.

Author: 
Bill Johnson [William Thomas Johnson] (1916-1957), Hollywood and Broadway actor and singer [James J. Kriegsmann of New Jersey]
Publication details: 
No date (1940s?). By James J. Kriegsmann of New Jersey.
£25.00

Johnson’s career began with a job singing on an NBC radio show. His 1940s Hollywood films included “Keep Your Powder Dry”. He later returned to Broadway, where in 1956 he received a Tony nomination for his performance as ‘Doc’ in Rodgers and Hammerstein's last musical ‘Pipe Dream’. He died of a heart attack in 1957. 10.5 x 10 cm black and white glossy photographic print on shiny art paper. In good condition. Stylish signature 'Bill Johnson' in white at bottom left.

[‘She is not so really great as we hoped’: Charles Manby, civil engineer, involved in managing Adelphi and Haymarket theatres, London.] Copy Letter to Frederick Hodgson, criticising Fanny Kemble and discussing arrangement with Frederick Henry Yates.

Author: 
Charles Manby (1804-84), civil engineer [Fanny Kemble (1809-93), actress; Frederick Henry Yates (1797-1842), actor; Frederick Hodgson (1795-1854), politician; Adelphi and Haymarket theatres, London]
Publication details: 
Great George Street [London]. 8 November 1841.
£45.00

Manby’s entry in the Oxford DNB states that ‘His interests ranged beyond the engineering world, and for many years he was involved in the management of the Adelphi and Haymarket theatres.’ Manuscript copy letter. 2pp, 4to. Thirty-three lines of neat text. Addressed to ‘Frederick Hodgson Esqre. M.P.’ Ends: ‘I am Dear Sir / Your very faithfully / Charles Manby’.On first leaf of bifolium. Reverse of second leaf docketted: ‘Copy C Manby to F Hodgson Esqr / Scarbro - Novr 8. 1841’ (the letter does not contain any reference to Scarborough). In fair condition, creased and lightly aged. Folded once.

[Louis-Arsène Delaunay, French actor with the Comédie Française.] Autograph Letter Signed, in French, to Tom Taylor, playwright and editor of Punch, in enveloped addressed by him to 'Sir Tom Taylor'.

Author: 
Louis-Arsène Delaunay (1826-1903), French actor who over four decades created almost two hundred parts with the Comédie Française [Tom Taylor (1817-1880), playwright and editor of Punch]
Publication details: 
'London July 4 1879 / Upper Montagu st. W'.
£50.00

See his entry in Encyclopaedia Britannica, and Taylor's in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, and folded once. In worn envelope with Penny Red stamp and postmark, and slight loss around flap. The envelope was no doubt retained because it was addressed by Delaunay to 'Sir Tom Taylor / Lavender Sweet [sic] / Wandsworth'. A neatly laid written and laid out communication, addressed to ‘Cher Monsieur Taylor’ and signed ‘Yours truly / L Delaunay / de la Comedie française’.

[Henry Livings, working-class Lancastrian playwright, screenwriter and actor.] Typed Letter Signed to Paul Furness, discussing the pubs he has frequented.

Author: 
Henry Livings (1929-1998), working-class Lancastrian playwright, screenwriter and actor in the first 'Carry On' film and the 'Coronation Street' television series
Publication details: 
Undated [1982 or 1983]. 49 Grains Road, Delph, ‘via Oldham’ [Lancashire].
£80.00

Livings’s entry in Encyclopaedia Britannica notes that his farces ‘convey serious truths’ with ‘both a dazzling comic flair and an unexpected force and profundity that is heightened by his use of colloquial language’. 1p, foolscap 8vo. Twenty-two lines of text. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with four light ink underlinings. Signed ‘Yours, / Henry Livings’. One of a number of letters to Furness by writers, responding to his enquiry about socialist authors and British pubs.

[Laurence Olivier, distinguished English actor, star of stage and screen.] Autograph Signature on publicity photograph.

Author: 
Laurence Olivier [Laurence Kerr Olivier, Lord Olivier] (1907-1989), distinguished English actor, star of stage and screen, one of the greatest actors of the twentieth century
Olivier
Publication details: 
No date or place (1930s). Stamp on reverse of The Photo Repro Co., Photo House, 10 St Martin’s Court, London WC2.
£35.00
Olivier

Olivier’s luminous achievements are well described in his entry in the Oxford DNB. An 8 x 11 cm photographic image, printed in black and white on an 8.5t x 13.5 cm card, with the actor's autograph signature mostly on the blank area beneath the image: ‘L Olivier’. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. An attractive image of the head of the young thespian, staring moodily to his right, hair slicked back, with part of white shirt and smart dark jacket just visible. Not present among the 114 portraits of Olivier in the National Portrait Gallery inventory.

St John Hankin [St. John Emile Clavering Hankin, Edwardian ?New Drama? playwright.] Autograph Letter Signed to Alexander Louis Teixeira de Mattos

Author: 
St John Hankin [St. John Emile Clavering Hankin (1869-1909)], Edwardian playwright, follower of Bernard Shaw and exponent of ?New Drama? [Alexander Louis Teixeira de Mattos (1865-1921). See Wikipedia]
Publication details: 
10 June [1897]; from Stratford-on-Avon, on cancelled letterhead of 11 Addison Road, Bedford Park [London].
£75.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with rusting from a paperclip to both leaves. Addressed to 'Mr Texeira [sic] de Mattos' and signed 'S John E. C. Hankin'. He thanks him for the cheque and is sorry to hear that the recipient's 'great project has come to nought - at least for the moment'. He expects that de Mattos saw 'the Bankruptcy of the New Saturday duly chronicled? You were a true prophet. I gather it will pay nothing in the ?'. The New Saturday was a short-lived newspaper, going to the wall after a few issues in 1897.

St John Hankin [St. John Emile Clavering Hankin, Edwardian ?New Drama? playwright.] Two Autograph Letter Signed to actor-manager Otho Stuart, one asking to read him a ?new play?, the other asking for the return of a script.

Author: 
St John Hankin [St. John Emile Clavering Hankin (1869-1909)], Edwardian playwright and essayist, follower of Bernard Shaw and exponent of the ?New Drama? [Otho Stuart (1863-1930), actor-manage]
Publication details: 
ONE: 2 November 1906; on letterhead of the Savile Club, 107 Piccadilly, W. [London] TWO: 2 February 1908; 30 Brechin Place, S.W. [London]
£80.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Stuart was at the time actor-manager of the Adelphi Theatre, London. Both items in good condition, lightly aged, and folded for postage. ONE: 3pp, 12mo (the third page carrying a postscript written lengthwise). Bifolium. Begins: ?Dear Sir / I have a new play which I should like to read to you if you would care to hear it.

[Ellen Terry, distinguished Shakespearian actress of the Victorian and Edwardian period, famed for her partnership with Henry Irving.] Autograph Card Signed, agreeing to sign a protest against a 'wicked deed'.

Author: 
Ellen Terry [Dame Alice Ellen Terry] (1847-1928), distinguished Shakespearian actress of the late-Victorian and Edwardian periods, acted opposite Henry Irving
Ellen Terry
Publication details: 
10 January [no year, but between 1904 and 1920 when she lived at this address]. On two plain cards, both with letterheads of '215, King's Road, / Chelsea.' [London]
£60.00
Ellen Terry

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. On two 11 x 9 cm cards, plain but for the letterhead. Both in good condition, lightly aged. The recipient is not named. The card is signed 'E. T:' and is written in her forceful hand. Begins: 'I have no time - nor words - to tell you what I think - The boys health indeed! - if there's any use in talking, if signing petitions will do any good one would talk & sign all day! but in spite' - here the reverse of the first card begins, and the side is entirely deleted, except for the last line'.

[‘must one glue the British public to its seat’?: Jeannette Sherwin [née Görlitz and latterley Jolley], English actress.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mr Rubinstein’, regarding a performance of Wagner’s ‘Tristan und Isolde’.

Author: 
Jeannette Sherwin [née Görlitz and latterley Jolley] (1894-1936), English actress, daughter of Australian soprano Amy Sherwin
Publication details: 
4 February 1913. 51 Nether Hall Gardens, N.W. [London]
£60.00

She was the daughter of the impressario Hugo Görlitz and the Australian soprano Amy Sherwin; and goddaughter of Paderewski. She married the actor James Thomas Jolley in New York (where the couple were based) in 1923, dying of consumption in England several years later. The present item is 2pp, small 4to, in bifolium, with the valediction written lengthwise and downwards on a third page. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Printed on the first page is the name ‘Jeannette’ within a small bow. The letter is addressed to ‘Dear Mr. Rubinstein’, and signed ‘Jeannette Sherwin Gorlitz’.

[John Wood, distinguished English actor, associated with Tom Stoppard.] His copy of the script of ?The Fantasticks / A Parable about Love / Words by Tom Jones / Music by Harvey L. Schmidt?, with autograph note by him and stage plans.

Author: 
John Wood (1930-2011), English actor associated with Tom Stoppard [?The Fantasticks?, musical by Tom Jones and Harvey L. Schmidt]
Publication details: 
Title page: ?Copyright 1959 by Tom Jones and Harvey L. Schmidt / Property of: Music Theatre Inc. / 119 West 57th Street/ New York 19, New York?. By ?the studio duplicating service / 434 west 43rd street, n.y.c. / LO 3-1225? [New York City, USA.]
£400.00

See Michael Coveney?s obituary in the Guardian, 10 August 2011, which states that Wood was ?one of the greatest stage actors of the past century?, and that he ?returned to the West End in 1961 as Henry Albertson in the whimsical off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks, at the Apollo?. 86pp, 4to. Each act separately paginated. Duplicated and bound with metal studs into black waxed-card wraps, with each page on the recto of a separate leaf. Title ?THE FANTASTICKS? printed on front cover, with details of the Studio Duplicating Service. In good condition, lightly aged, in lightly creased wraps.

[Deanna Durbin, Hollywood star.] Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Deanna Durbin (1921-2013), Canadian film actress and Hollywood star
Deanna Durbin
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£30.00
Deanna Durbin

Clearly given in response to a request for an autograph. Neatly written and centred on one side of a 12 x 7.5 cm piece of pink paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with vertical crease close to the left-hand edge. Reads: ‘Best wishes - / Deanna Durbin’. See Image.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Hollywood star.] Publicity Photograph with Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. [Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr.] (1909-2000), Hollywood star and film producer
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Publication details: 
No date or place, but during the latter part of his life.
£65.00
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

A 7.5 x 10 cm photograph on 8.5 x 13 cm piece of shiny Kodac paper. Black and white head and shoulders shot of an old Fairbanks, nattily attired in jacket and tie, smiling at the camera towards his right shoulder. Signed ‘Douglas Fairbanks’ beneath the photograph in blue felt-tip pen. In very good condition. See Image.

[Bob Hope’s wife Dolores and Frank Sinatra’s wife Barbara.] Typed Letters Signed from the two women to ‘Bonnie and John’, each thanking them for the Christmas gift of a ‘peppered ham’.

Author: 
Dolores Hope [née DeFina] (1909-2011), American singer, wife of Hollywood comedian Bob Hope; Barbara Sinatra [née Blakeley] (1927-2017), wife of singer and actor Frank Sinatra
Bob Hope’s wife Dolores and Frank Sinatra’s wife Barbara
Publication details: 
Dolores Hope's letter: 26 January 1993; on letterhead of 'Dolores and Bob Hope'. Barbara Sinatra's letter: undated; embossed 'Barbara Sinatra'.
£180.00
Bob Hope’s wife Dolores and Frank Sinatra’s wife Barbara

Both letters are addressed to ‘Dear Bonnie and John’. Both in good condition, lightly aged. ONE: TLS from Dolores Hope. Signed ‘Dolores’ in red ink (the letterhead is also red). 1p, 12mo. Reads: ‘The black peppered ham was a big hit at our house and Bob and I can’t thank you enough. We really enjoyed this tasty ham and your thoughtfulness in remembering us at Chistmastime. / Have a healthy and happy New Year!’ TWO: TLS from Barbara Sinatra. Signed ‘Barbara’. 1p, landscape 12mo. On the lower half of an 8vo leaf, which has been converted into a bifolium by a central horizonal fold.

[Stephen Kemble [George Stephen Kemble], Shakespearian actor-manager, uncle of Fanny Kemble.] Informative Autograph Letter Signed to solicitors ‘Messrs. Dowson, Capron and Rowley’, regarding whereabouts of actor William Shakespear Kendrick of Whitby.

Author: 
Stephen Kemble [George Stephen Kemble] (1758-1822), celebrated Shakespearian actor-manager noted for his Falstaff, husband of Elizabeth Satchell and uncle of Fanny Kemble [William Shakespear Kendrick]
Publication details: 
‘Grove. Durham / August the 11th. / 1821.’
£95.00

An interesting letter, providing a mass of interesting incormation relating to the stage in Georgian England, while responding to a request from London solicitors for information about the whereabouts of a provincial actor. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 4to. Forty lines of text, on bifolium addressed on reverse of second leaf ‘For / Messrs. Dowson, Capron and Rowley / Savile Place / near / Burlington Street / London’, and signed ‘S. Kemble.’ In fair condition, on discoloured and worn paper with minor damage at head, but text clear and entire.

[Ruth Draper, American actress and dramatist, whose monologues influence Joyce Grenfell and others.] Autograph Letter Signed to ?Sir David [Ross]?, going into great detail about her eating arrangements while performing at Oxford.

Author: 
Ruth Draper (1884-1956), American actress and dramatist, whose monologues influenced many including Joyce Grenfell [Sir David Ross [W. D. Ross], Provost of Oriel, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University]
Publication details: 
5 April [no year but presumably between 1941 and 1944]. Cambridge.
£56.00

Draper inspired characters in two of Agatha Christie?s books. Among others impressed by her work were Bernard Shaw, Thornton Wilder, John Gielgud, Katharine Hepburn, Maurice Chevalier, Laurence Olivier, Henry James, Henry Adams, Edith Wharton, Joyce Grenfell, Emma Thompson, David Mamet and Maureen Lipman. See Ross?s entry in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 12mo, on bifolium of light-grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Addressed to ?Dear Sir David? and signed ?Ruth Draper.? Presumably written during Ross?s Vice-Chancellorship, 1941-1944.

[Gladys Cooper, star of stage and screen.] Gelatin silver print of Foulsham & Banfield photograph of Gladys Cooper in the play ‘My Lady’s Dress’, with a second photograph of her embracing Dennis Eadie in the same production.

Author: 
Gladys Cooper [Dame Gladys Constance Cooper] (1888-1971), English actress, over seven decades a star of stage and screen; Dennis Eadie (1869-1928), actor; Foulsham & Banfield, London photographers
Cooper
Publication details: 
Label on reverse dates the solo photograph to 27 February 1914, with the stamp of Foulsham & Banfield, 49 Old Bond Street, W. [London]. The photograph of Cooper & Eadie without date or place, but from the same production.
£100.00
Cooper

Edward Knobloch’s play ‘My Lady’s Dress’ (‘in which’, as one newspaper wrote at the time, ‘the heroine’s dream takes her to the foreign [and London] scenes surrounding the manufacture of a costly gown’) premiered at the Royalty Theatre in London in 1914 and was revived several times through the 1920s.

[The Royal General Theatrical Fund Association, London.] Three copies of drafts of an advertisement, composed by theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, with copy of covering letter to Secretary J. Mayhew Allen; and later corrected draft of circular.

Author: 
Royal Theatrical Fund, London, for retired actors, founded 1839 with Charles Dickens as its first chairman [J. Mayhew Allen, Secretary]; W. Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian
Theatrical Fund
Publication details: 
Copy of Macqueen-Pope’s letter: 15 May 1953. Circular: 27 November 1957; on letterhead of the Royal General Theatrical Fund Association, 11 Garrick Street, London WC2.
£180.00
Theatrical Fund

See Wendy Trewin, ‘The Royal General Theatrical Fund: a history, 1838-1988’ (1989), and Macqueen-Pope’s entry in the Oxford DNB. ONE: Carbon copy of letter from Macqueen-Pope to Allen, 15 May 1953, with three drafts of advertisement. 4pp, 4to. On four leaves. The letter, on the first page, is somewhat grubby, with rust spotting from paper clip, the other three leaves, each of which carries a proposed version of the advertisment, in good condition, lightly aged. The letter begins: ‘Dear Jack Allen, / Herewith three rough samples for the proposed advertisement concerning the Fund.

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