BENEFIT

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. LETTER: 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, in remains of windowpane mount. Folded twice. Addressed to ‘Dear [Derrick?]’ and signed ‘J: R: Planché’. The year has been supplied in another hand in pencil. He informs him that ‘Charles Dance is out of town’, and that ‘the price would be one guinea - but I am sure that being for a benefit he will make no charges’. Planché is ‘of course not authorized to say so’, but he has ‘no doubt upon the subject’ and will tell Dormer so on his return.

See the appreciative entry on Buckstone by Donald Roy in the Dictionary of National Biography. Interesting and informative letters, shedding vivid light on the day-to-day workings of early-Victorian theatre, written by a leading London actor-manager and dramatist and sent to a provincial actor-manager, regarding the arrangement of engagements, benefits, and plays. Of particular interest is the fourth letter, which refers to Mrs Fitzwilliam [Fanny [Frances Elizabeth] Fitzwilliam, née Copeland] (1801-1854), with whom Buckstone toured New Orleans and the South, c. 1840-1841. Five items.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf, with seal of a harp in green wax, 'To | - Webster Esqre. | Theatre Royal Haymarket'. Writing two days before her father's death, she explains that she commissioned a friend to offer a guinea for his 'Interlude of "Pay for Peeping"', but finds that 'in return you expect one pound eleven for it'. She points out that she was 'the original (at the Strand Theatre) in the piece', and that she is offering the same terms accepted from her by 'Mr Selby for his "Day in Paris"'.

16pp., 8vo. In good condition, lightly-aged, no wraps, disbound. Includes sections on 'Progress of the London Women's Unions', 'Trades Union Congress and Important Conference held in Leicester', 'Women's Halfpenny Bank', 'Trade Information and Registration', 'Seaside House', 'Seats for Shop Assistants', 'Factory and Workshops' Acts Consolidation Bill' and 'Social Meetings. Piano Fund', as well as accounts and a page and a half of 'Subscriptions and Donations For 1877-8.' The only copy traced part of a run at the BL. No other copy currently on the market.

15 + [1]pp., 8vo. In good condition, lightly-aged, no wraps, disbound. Includes sections on: 'Society of Women employed in Bookbinding and the Society of Upholsteresses', 'New Unions', 'Brighton Laundresses', 'Leicestershire Seamers and Stitchers Unions', as well as accounts and a page of 'Subscriptions and Donations For 1876-7'. The only copy traced part of a run at the BL.

This small archive casts invaluable light on British labour relations at a local level during a turbulent economic period in postwar British history, with specific day-to-day information about persons and events. The two minute books, 1943-1980, are both 4to, with the first of around 200 pp and the second of around 150 pp. Both texts clear and complete, and some matter loosely inserted (including a letter from an individual pursuing a complaint against the branch). In worn bindings, with the boards of the second volume detached.