ACTOR

4to, 1 p. 19 lines. Text clear and complete. On aged and lightly creased paper, with strip of sunning to left-hand margin. Neat signature: 'Nicolas Bentley'. The film and television rights to the book were all 'bought some years ago by Herbert Wilcox, who, as I understand it, still owns them'. Bentley has reports the opinion of 'Messrs A. P. Watt, my late father's agent', on the question of the radio rights. 'I control the stage rights', Bentley states, giving the conditions on which he would agree to a stage adaptation.

4to, 1 p. Twenty lines. Text clear and complete. On aged and lightly-creased paper. Responding to 'the kind note of his esteemed Country woman Mrs. Wallack'. He is 'gratified to learn, that Mr. Wallack will present to the Parisian public representations in the English language, of the best of our Tragedies & Comedies'. He wishes the Wallacks 'the most complete success, and will with pleasure attend the performances, when his health will permit him & his family to do so'. Two of Mason's family will take up Wallack's offer of tickets for the opening.

12mo, 1 p. Fair, on aged paper, with traces of previous mount adhering to the corners of the blank reverse. Of course Hollingshead should 'wait till the last night of "used up" ' before writing to Mathews, who has 'hunted up Buckstone - hunted up Turpin - but in vain. Not a box to be had'. He has sent 'the best I could get': '3 Dress Circle to Mrs Smiles with "Mr Hollingshead's best compliments." '. In a postscript states that if Hollingshead wants 'a box for the "Overland Route" before the last night' he will be 'too happy'. 'There is always a run on last nights.'

One page, 8vo, grubby but text clear and complete. He introduces a colleague from his Green Room, Frederick Mervin, whom he describes as a good fellow as well as an actor and singer of ability. He hopes his correspondent will make Mervin's "trip to the Colonies pleasant to him (presumably Australia) . "I hear all the news about you from your brother Alfie when I meet him. I trust this new venture will be hugely successful." Note: Lyster opened in Melbourne with a new company but died in Nov. 1880, presumably shortly after receiving this letter.

The sepia photograph, 10 x 7 cm, shows Korff's head and torso. He is dressed in the costume of a flying ace, with leather coat, gloves, googles and scarf, and is striking a match while staring moodily at the viewer. It is mounted on a leaf of cream paper (24 x 20 cm) removed from an album. In very good condition and attractively mounted, with a piece of nicely-patterned paper (12 x 8.5 cm) beneath the photograph acting as a frame. Korff's large, bold signature runs across the page beneath the phtograph, reading 'Arnold Korff | Wien 25. Oct. 1923'.

The sepia photograph, 10 x 7 cm, is a head and shoulders shot of Aslan staring at the viewer in the character of Hamlet holding Yorick's skull. It is neatly mounted on a leaf of cream paper (24 x 20 cm) removed from an album. The whole attractive and in good condition. In a firm, bold hand Aslan has written, across the page beneath the photograph: '"Zu was für schnöden Bestimmungen | wir doch kommen, Horatio"! - | (Hamlet) | Ein Erinnerung | [signed] Raoul M. Aslan: | Wien, Oktober 1923. -'

On a leaf of cream paper, 8.5 x 12 cm, part of a bifolium taken from an autograph album. Very good.

On a leaf of cream paper, 8.5 x 12 cm, part of a bifolium taken from an autograph album. Very good. All three signatures are bold and clear. The signatures of Lawrence and St Helier are on one side of the leaf, and that of Carey is on the other. Lawrence's signature is in ink, and the other two in pencil. Three signatures,

On piece of pink paper roughly 8.5 x 11 cm. Laid down on slightly larger leaf from an autograph album. Good with a little paper and glue staining to the mount. Good bold signature, diagonally across the page.

On leaf of light blue paper, 8.5 x 12 cm, removed from an autograph album. Very good.

[Saville] Esme Percy, Actor (1887-1957). The first, 21 November [1911], Theatre Royal, Bury, Lancashire. "So glad you are coming over Saturday night. If you will kindly let me know how many of you are coming I shall be pleased to give you all Tea if you will accept my invitation." The second, 24 November 1911, Theatre Royal, Bury, Lancashire, on deleted letterhead of the Gaiety Theatre, Manchester. "I shall expect you at 5 pm at 34 Shepherd St. Bury - am so glad your friends are coming with you". Two items,

Actor and theatre manager (DNB). One page, some damage marginally affecting the text. He thanks him for his gift of the poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade".

English actor (1843-96) under the name 'Arthur Cecil'. 1 page, dimensions 3 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches. In good condition though dusty. He thanks him for his kind note, and says that if he 'may keep my little contribution in reserve for a bit' he 'will certainly bear it in mind & shall hope to turn you out something before very long'. Signed 'Arthur C Blunt'.

Actor and lessee of the Surrey Theatre (1774-1831; DNB). The recipient is the songwriter and dramatist Thomas John Dibdin (1771-1841; DNB). 2¼ inches by 4¼. Creased, grubby and with a closed tear not affecting signature. Reads 'meeting. - | Yrs | Dr Sir | very truly | R W Elliston | To | Thos Dibdin | &c &c &c'.

Anglo-French actor best remembered for having presented Charles Dickens with the Swiss chalet he erected in the garden at Gadshill and in which he wrote Great Expectations. The recipient was a lawyer and antiquary. The signature is on a slip approximately two inches by four and a half, presumably part of a letter or envelope, and laid down on a piece of card. Miniscule loss to part of slip, but text unaffected. Inscribed 'Fred. Ouvry Esq. | Ch. Fechter', with the signature underlined and overlined by Fechter.

English thespian. Thanks Fletcher for his catalogue of autograph letters of nineteenth-century actors. 'I doubt if I will be able to get in before Christmas but hope to see you and them as soon as possible.' Signed 'Donald Sinden'. Creased and with some unobtrusive calculations on the reverse.

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 8vo. "Dear Madam / I regret to say that I cannot seemy [sic] way to recommending the enclosed plays to a Manager for production on my account. / I remain / Yours truly / Cyril Maude"

English actor, playwright, songwriter (1856-1914). One page, 12mo. "Dear Mrs. Merivale, / I enclose two stalls & hope you will enjoy a good laugh that is all I can you. / So glad to see you & Mr. Merivale looking so well today". Attached by blank verso to blank second leaf, which bears traces of previous mounting.

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 4to. "My dear Drury, / Will you sup with me to meet some members of the company next Wednes day night at 11-45. [in MS] at the Service Club" With postscript in MS, "And to wish you bon voyage you know". Not in best of condition, with creasing and slight staining to MS portion.

Actor (1850-1921). A storm in a teacup. "I am sorry to say I must decide against you in reference to the cups & saucers, the history of them was this, Jack asked me as I had nothing to do to go & buy him some coffee cups &c / I went, bought the ones you refer to & begged Jack to accept them as a present, I am sorry that you should lose them, but am glad that you both wished to possess them".

English actor (1895-1932), son of the actor Fred Terry (1864-1932) and his wife the actress Julia Emilie Neilson (1868-1957). One page, 4to. "I must write to you now just to say how much I enjoyed your letter, & the great good-fellowship & hospitable sport, that prompted the sending of it. All I can say is that you're all splendid to be so good & helpful to me, thank you again & again".

English actor-manager (1870-1919), elder son of the celebrated Henry Irving. "My wife has asked me to send you the . I do so with the greatest pleasure. [...]". Discoloured, with heavy creasing to margin, and traces of previous mounting on reverse of blank second leaf.

Actor and producer (1880-1957). He would have answered sooner had he not been waiting for a photograph "which has not yet arrived - however you shall have it when it does. Your letter was delightfully refreshing adn it is good to know that the stage has such valiant supporters." Signed "E. Harcourt Williams".

Actor-manager (1805-77). One page, 8vo, neatly mounted. "An two men ride of a horse one must ride behind" / "Shakspeare" / Henry Compton. / Theatre Royal, / Haymarket. / Jany. 24th. 1870."

Dramatist and actor (1834-84). The letter, to [Edward] Draper, 18 April 1879, with letterhead 1 Eccleston Square, one page, 12mo. "I send a cheque for two guineas for Straus's affair. How many of our mutual friends have dropped off since we first met! I have been obliged to subscribe widely during the last 2 years - Mrs Mellon, Chatterton, J. Clarke, Mrs Manders, Buckston W. Glover, S. L. Blanchard and others, or I would send more." Fragment cut from another letter reading "Very sincerely yours/Henry J. Byron". Stuck to another piece of paper bearing traces of a mount. 2 items.

English actor (1846-1909). One page, 8vo. " " Gerraire! look look nana nana come to Papa, I'm dying. Oh God forgive me" "Coupeau" ". Warner's most memorable part was Coupeau in 'Drink' (1879), an adaptation of Zola's 'L'Assommoir'.

Actor and pantomimist (1804-1878), "the last true mime", who played opposite the great Joseph Grimaldi. One page, 8vo. Written in a florid hand, "W H S Payne / Theater Royal Covent Garden / Le Roi De Pantomime." The "S" in the signature is in superscript. In a smaller hand at the head of the page the signature of Gustave Garcia.

English actor (1846-1909). 4 pp, 12mo. Interesting letter relating to marriage and the acting profession. "I do not agree with the opinion expressed by Mr J. T. Green respecting the early & unhappy marriages of actors & actresses having to play love scenes together. I think in most cases of love making upon the stage it is looked upon as purely a matter of business. Doubtless there are exceptional cases, but the marriages of actors & actresses are mostly happy - Mr. & Mrs. Kendal. playing lovers - a long life of married happiness - Mr. & Mrs. Edmund Compton - Mr.

Anglo-American actor (1844-78). The letter, to W. L. Maitland, "Prince of Wales Theatre / Thursday" (no date), 2 pp, 12mo. "Every place but one or two - is taken for Saty & not even one stall is left. The only place your are at all likely to get them is at either Mitchells or in Bond Street. They told me at the Box Office just now that you cd. not get 6 stalls together until after Saty week - all the Librarians buy them up." He declines a dinner invitation due to a previous engagement.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Mrs Horsley / The state of the weather to-day precludes me from even trying to see you & to-night / I shall be happy to come tomorrow with Miss Moore [his wife the actress Mary Moore,1869-1931]".