DAME

[Barbara Cartland, ‘The Queen of Romance’, best-selling author of romantic fiction.] Typed Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, proprietor of ‘Books and Bookmen’, responding to his praise of a speech she has given.

Author: 
Barbara Cartland [Dame Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland] (1901-2000), ‘The Queen of Romance’, best-selling author of more than 700 works of romantic fiction [Philip Dosse (1925-80); 'Books and Bookmen']
Publication details: 
‘From: Miss Barbara Cartland, D.ST.J.’ 1 October 1979; on letterhead of Camfield Place, Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
£56.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse (often addressed, as in this letter, as ‘Dossé’) was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Large and ebullient signature in red felt-tip pen.

[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.

[Myra Hess [Dame Julia Myra Hess], celebrated British pianist.] Autograph Letter Signed, explaining to ‘Miss Scott’ [musicologist Marion Scott] her reason for declining a dinner invitation.

Author: 
Myra Hess [Dame Julia Myra Hess], celebrated British pianist associated with Sir Thomas Beecham and Arturo Toscanini
Publication details: 
8 June 1928. On letterhead of 8 Carlton Hill, St John’s Wood, N.W. [London]
£65.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Addressed to ‘Dear Miss Scott’ and with good clear signature ‘Myra Hess’. She regrets that it will not be possible for her to join Miss Scott for dinner. ‘I shall probably have to work, rehearse all day on Tuesday [corrected by Hess to ‘Wednesday!’] - so shall have to try & get a rest before 8.30 - (& probably have a scrambled egg at the last minute!!’ She ends ‘Forgive this in haste / Again thanking you’.

[Ellen Terry, distinguished Shakespearian actress of the Victorian and Edwardian period.] Intimate Autograph Letter Signed (‘Nellaline’), sending her ‘very little heart [to George Meredith’s daughter]’.

Author: 
Ellen Terry [Dame Alice Ellen Terry] (1847-1928), distinguished Shakespearian actress of the late-Victorian and Edwardian periods, acted opposite Henry Irving
Publication details: 
17 March 1889; on letterhead of 22 Barkston Gardens, Earls Court, S.W. [London]
£80.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. An attractive and unusual item of correspondence, neatly written out in her distinctive handwriting. 1p, 12mo. On leaf of onion paper, carefully laid down on thicker backing. In good condition, slightly discoloured. Folded three times for postage. Reads: ‘A little little heart! So little! but anything “in the way of” a heart should not be flouted, nor scouted, & so I pray you to accept my very little heart - / It’s not worth the thanking for, only don’t send it back to me. / Nellaline. / March 17: 89:’.

[Dame Margot Fonteyn, prima ballerina.] Autograph Signature to printed programme of a performance by the Sadler’s Wells Ballet at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Author: 
Dame Margot Fonteyn [stage name of Dame Margaret Evelyn de Arias, née Hookham (1919-1991)], prima ballerina assoluta with the Royal Ballet [previously Sadler’s Wells Ballet], London
Fonteyn
Publication details: 
‘Saturday Evening, 22nd November, 1947’. Sadler’s Wells Ballet at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden [London]. ‘Printed by Finden Brown & Co, Ltd., Varndell Street, London N.W.1’.
£80.00
Fonteyn

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. The programme is 8pp, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with minor rust to staples. The cover consists of the royal crest printed in red, and the rest in black: ‘ROYAL OPERA HOUSE / COVENT GARDEN’ above the crest, and ‘THE SADLER’S WELLS / BALLET / 1947’ below it. At an angle across the centre of the page, in blue ink, is the large signature ‘Margot Fonteyn’.

[Dame Judi Dench, star of stage and screen.] Typed Letter Signed to Neil Hurst, responding to his expression of appreciation for her work.

Author: 
Dame Judi Dench [Judith Olivia Dench] (b.1934), star of stage and screen, widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest actresses
Publication details: 
11 January 2000. No address, on paper headed ‘JUDI DENCH’.
£56.00

See her entry in Encyclopedia Britannica. 1p, 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with some grubbiness around the top-left corner. The text of the letter and the stylish and assured signature are unaffected. Reads: ‘Dear Neil Hurst, / Thank you very much for your letter. I’m delighted to know that you have enjoyed my work, and it was kind of you to write. / I have pleasure in sending you a signed photograph, with my best wishes. / Yours sincerely, / Judi Dench’. Dench terminates the signature with a diagonal dash through a widely-spaced colon.

[Oxford degrees to J. M. Barrie, Ethel Smyth, Sir Henry Newbolt, Lord Dawson of Penn.] Material printed by the Clarendon Press relating to ‘Convocation / Encaenia, June 23, 1926 / The Right Hon. George, Viscount Cave, Chancellor / Presiding’.

Author: 
[Clarendon Press; Oxford University Press; John Johnson, Printer to the University; J. M. Barrie; Ethel Smyth; Sir Henry Newbolt; Lord Dawson of Penn]
Publication details: 
The University of Oxford, 1926. Oxford: John Johnson / Printer to the University.
£120.00

Material which, by its very nature, is extremely uncommon. Five items, three of them beautifully printed with the Fell Types. From the papers of King George V’s doctor Lord Dawson of Penn (see his entry in the Oxford DNB). Among those to whom degrees are conferred (all of whom receive the customary praise in florid Latin) are J. M. Barrie, Sir Henry Newbold, Dame Ethel Smity, Sir Austen Chamberlain and the Speaker of the Commons John Henry Whitley. The first three are printed with the Fell Types, and the first two and the fifth carry Johnson’s slug.

[Oxford degrees to J. M. Barrie, Ethel Smyth, Sir Henry Newbolt, Lord Dawson of Penn.] Material printed by the Clarendon Press relating to ‘Convocation / Encaenia, June 23, 1926 / The Right Hon. George, Viscount Cave, Chancellor / Presiding’.

Author: 
[Clarendon Press; Oxford University Press; John Johnson, Printer to the University; J. M. Barrie; Ethel Smyth; Sir Henry Newbolt; Lord Dawson of Penn]
Publication details: 
The University of Oxford, 1926. Oxford: John Johnson / Printer to the University.
£100.00

Material which, by its very nature, is extremely uncommon. Three items, two of which are beautifully printed with the Fell Types. Duplicates from the papers of King George V’s doctor Lord Dawson of Penn (see his entry in the Oxford DNB). Among those to whom degrees are conferred (all of whom receive the customary praise in florid Latin) are J. M. Barrie, Sir Henry Newbold, Dame Ethel Smythe, Sir Austen Chamberlain and the Speaker of the Commons John Henry Whitley. The first three are printed with the Fell Types, and the first two and the fifth carry Johnson’s slug.

[Clarkson Rose, pantomime dame.] Typed Letter Signed to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, asking for his ‘opinion’ of his autobiography, for publicity purposes.

Author: 
Clarkson Rose [Arthur Clarkson Rose] (1890-1968), popular entertainer, a notable pantomime dame, e.g. ‘Widow Twankey’ in ‘Aladdin’ [W. Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
17 January 1952; The Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon, London SW19, on letterhead of ‘Clarkson Rose Productions Ltd. / Twinkle’.
£56.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and folded for postage. Addressed to ‘My dear Popie’ and signed ‘Yours / Clarke’ [sic]. In the previous year CR had published his autobiography ‘With a Twinkle in my Eye’, and he is now looking for an ‘opinion’ from MP that he can use for publicity purposes.

[Dame Sybil Thorndike, distinguished English actress.] Autograph Letter Signed [to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope], agreeing to do something for the memory of ‘our beloved Ivor’ [i.e. Ivor Novello].

Author: 
Sybil Thorndike [Dame Agnes Sybil Thorndike] (1882-1976), distinguished English actress, wife of Sir Lewis Casson [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian; Ivor Novello]
Publication details: 
No date [1952?]: ‘Haymarket [Haymarket Theatre, London] Thursday night’.
£45.00

From the papers of the evident recipient, theatre historian Walter James Macqueen-Pope. See his entry, and hers and her husband’s, in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. Large bold signature ‘Sybil’. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded once for postage. The letter almost certainly relates to the unveiling ceremony of the Ivor Novello Memorial at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 2 May 1952. The bust, by Clemence Dane, was unveiled by Thorndike with the reading of a poem by Mary Ellis. The preent item reads: ‘My dear. Of course I[’]ll do anything you want me to do for our beloved Ivor.

[Dorothy Tutin [Dame Dorothy Tutin], Shakespearian actress.] Autograph Card Signed to W. J. Macqueen-Pope, with typed article by him (‘Star in Spite of Herself’), his typed interview notes, and carbon of typed letter from him to Sir Andrew Caird.

Author: 
Dorothy Tutin [Dame Dorothy Tutin] (1930-2001), English Shakespearian actress [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960); Sir Andrew Caird of Lord Northcliffe’s Associated Newspapers; RADA]
Publication details: 
ONE: Her ACS to MP, from Wyndham’s Theatre, postmarked London, 6 October 1953. TWO: Copy of TL from MP to Caird, 13 October 1953. The other two items without date or place, but contemporaneous.
£180.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See his entry and hers in the Oxford DNB. Caird was Northcliffe’s right-hand man, and mainly associated with the Daily Mail. The four items are in fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with slight rust spotting from a paper clips. Items Two to Four are on carbon paper. ONE: ACS from Tutin to MP. Small unillustrated postcard, signed ‘Dorothy Tutin’. Reads: ‘I remember you very well - your fascinating letures at the Academy [i.e. London theatre school RADA, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art] - and shall be very happy to meet you for this article.

[Dame Ellen Terry.] Autograph Note Signed (‘Ellen Terry:’), announcing that she has ‘found it!’

Author: 
Ellen Terry [Dame Alice Ellen Terry] (1847-1928), leading English actress of the late-Victorian and Edwardian periods
Publication details: 
7 December 1897; on letterhead of the Grand Hotel, Manchester.
£32.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB, and in particular the section headed ‘A great actress’. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Very nice letterhead with engraving of the imposing hotel. In her large, bold hand, the note reads: ‘I have found it! / & am so glad - / Hoping you are much better / Yrs. sincerely / Ellen Terry: / 7 December . 97:’.

[Joan Sutherland, one of the greatest opera singers of the twentieth century.] Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Joan Sutherland [Dame Joan Alston Sutherland] (1926-2010), Australian coloratura soprano, one of the greatest opera singers of the twentieth century
Sutherland
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£15.00
Sutherland

Underlined signature on 9 x 1.5 cm piece of wove paper, apparently cut from letter. In good condition. Reads ‘Joan Sutherland.’ Reverse blank. See image

[Dame Anna Neagle [Florence Marjorie Wilcox], English star of stage and film.] Typed Letter Signed to ‘Mr. Lazenby’ concerning photographs and a party.

Author: 
Anna Neagle, stage name of Dame Florence Marjorie Wilcox [née Robertson] (1904-1986), English star of stage and film
Publication details: 
22 January 1938; from the London Palladium.
£38.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. On grey paper. In fair condition, with a few light creases and two punch-holes to inner margin. Good large signature (‘Anna Neagle.’) in black ink. She thanks him for his letter and kindness in sending the photographs: ‘I think they are excellent.’ She is glad that she was ‘able to get along to the Party’, and thanks him ‘and the Committee’ for making her visit so pleasant.

[Pantomime Dame.] Autograph Letter Signed from actor-manager Alwyn D. Fox, announcing that he is ‘free for Dame for coming season pants’, and giving his credentials for playing the part.

Author: 
[Pantomime Dame.] Alwyn D. Fox, actor-manager of Horsham Repertory Company, the man who discovered Michael Caine
Publication details: 
19 April 1951. On the green letterhead (‘The Mark of a Good Production’) of ‘ALWYN D. FOX | PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT’, 38 Sutherland Street, London SW1.
£80.00

See Michael Caine’s affectionate account of Fox in ‘The Elephant to Hollywood’ (2010), from which the anecdote at the end of this entry is taken. 1p, 4to. Addressed to ‘Dear Mr. Hindin’, signed ‘Alwyn Fox’ and headed ‘Pantomime - “Dame”.’ While the twenty lines of text are clear and complete, the item is not in the best of condition, on aged and creased on discoloured paper with closed tears to edges. The letter begins: ‘I am at present free for Dame for coming season pants. and would be glad to negotiate with you.

[Madame Albani [Dame Emma Albani Gye], celebrated Canadian operatic soprano.] Autograph Signature (‘Emma Albani Gye | 1883.’), written for display on front of envelope.

Author: 
Madame Albani [Dame Emma Albani Gye; Madame Albani; born Marie-Louise-Emma-Cécile Lajeunesse] (1847-1930), celebrated Canadian operatic soprano
albani
Publication details: 
1883; no place.
£28.00
albani

Clearly given in response to an autograph collector, and written for display on front panel of envelope. Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.5 cm. In good condition, lightly aged. Horizontal crease along bottom not affecting signature, which reads ‘Emma Albani Gye | 1883.’ In 1883, after several years of enormous success in Europe, Albani returned to Canada to give a series of recitals. Thousands turned out to greet her arrival in Montreal.

[Dame Anna Neagle [Dame Florence Marjorie Wilcox], star of stage and screen.] Typed Note Signed ('Anna') to 'Popey' [theatre historian W. J. MacQueen-Pope], regarding the first night [of 'The Glorious Days'].

Author: 
Dame Anna Neagle [Dame Florence Marjorie Wilcox] (1904-1986), star of stage and screen [W. J. MacQueen-Pope [Walter James MacQueen-Pope] (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
On her letterhead, from 128 Mount Street, London, W.1. 6 March 1953.
£35.00

1p, 8vo. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. Folded once. Salutation ('My dear Popey -') and valediction ('My love to you both - | Anna.') in her autograph; the rest typed. Good bold signature. Reads: 'It was so very kind of you to think of me on Saturday.

[Sybil Thorndike, celebrated actress for whom Bernard Shaw wrote 'Saint Joan'.] Autograph Letter Signed to Secretary, Royal Literary Fund, explaining that 'pressure of work' will prevent her from acting as steward at Guildhall anniversary banquet.

Author: 
Sybil Thorndike [Dame Agnes Sybil Thorndike] (1882-1976), celebrated actress for whom Bernard Shaw wrote 'Saint Joan', noted for her Shakespearian roles
Publication details: 
23 June 1921. 'Little Theatre | Adelphi | W.C. [London]'
£35.00

1p, 8vo. Fifteen lines of text, in green ink. In fair condition, lightly aged, folded twice, with short closed tear to edge of one crease. Signed 'Sybil Thorndike'. Although 'deeply gratified', her 'present duties' will detain her 'at the Theatre every evening until 11 o/c', so that she will not be able to 'act as a Steward at the Anniversary of the Royal Literary Fund at the Guildhall, next Wednesday'.

[Dame Margot Fonteyn, ballerina.] Typed Letter Signed to 'Mr. Duncan' [the bookseller Barry Duncan], regarding a playbill.

Author: 
Dame Margot Fonteyn [stage name of Margaret Evelyn Hookham, later de Arias] (1919-1991), ballerina [Barry Duncan (1909-1985), theatre historian and bookseller]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. 11 January 1947.
£40.00

1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. She sends her thanks for 'the playbill': 'You know already how much I liked it, as I remember admiring it when I was in the shop.' She will 'value it highly' and will thank him personally: 'you may be sure I shall be looking in again one of these days'.

[Dame Eva Turner, dramatic soprano.] Typed Letter Signed ('Eva Turner.') to Constance Evans, whose claim that she was her 'earliest private accompanist' she accepts, with reminiscences.

Author: 
Dame Eva Turner (1892-1990), English dramatic soprano [Constance Evans of Darlington, piano accompanist]
Publication details: 
26 Palace Court, London, W2. 6 April 1962.
£100.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with the top part of the blank reverse pasted onto a slip of paper cut from an album. Adressed to 'Miss Constance M. Evans, | Raventhorpe, | Carmel Road N., | Darlington.' She begins by stating that Evans's letter has been forwarded to her by Julian Herbage.

[Lyric Theatre, London: First World War benefit concert.] Programme for 'Ellen Terry's Bouquet', 'In Aid of the Concerts at the Front'. Containing 'Letter from the Commander-in-Chief', Douglas Haig.

Author: 
Lena Ashwell; Concerts at the Front; Lyric Theatre, London; Dame Ellen Terry; Lilian Braithwaite; Dorothy Moulton; E. V. Lucas; Harry Grattan; Howard Carr; Frederick Rosse; Douglas Haig
Publication details: 
Lyric Theatre, London ('Organised by Miss Lena Ashwell in conjunction with the Ladies' Auxiliary Committee of the Y.M.C.A.'), on 29 June 1917. [Slug: 'LONDON: FINDEN BROWN AND CO. LTD., 15, CRAVEN STREET, STRAND'.]
£80.00

11 + [1]pp, 4to. Stitched with pink thread and unbound. In fair condition, lightly aged. Nicely printed on laid paper, with cover illustration in black and green of view from back of stage of dancer receiving a bouquet from an audience. The second page gives details of the performance, with a list of the names of the 'Executive Committee'. The programme is on pp.3-11. Divided into 16 numbers. After five songs, the main feature (numbers 6-15 pp.4-8) is 'Chelsea on Tiptoe | New Version', with 'A Prologue | Written specially for “Ellen Terry's Bouquet” | By E. V.

[Joan Hammond, Australian operatic soprano and champion golfer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Joan') to 'Derek', regarding her heart attack, recuperation and retirement.

Author: 
Joan Hammond [Dame Joan Hilda Hood Hammond] (1912-1996), Australian operatic soprano and champion golfer
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Old Cottage, Egypt, Farnham Common, Bucks. 15 October 1965.
£120.00

2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with lightly-rusted indentation from a paperclip. She thanks him for the 'lovely form of intrusion your letter proved to be - as though you could ever intrude!' She wonders whether, if she had been 'a more patient patient' the 'second attack' might not have happened' (a heart attack had forced her to retire from the stage), 'but I was never one for sitting and doing nothing'. She is 'trying very hard now as I have learnt my lesson'. She has 'so many interests that retirement is beginning to become a pleasure, thank heavens'.

[Dame Vera Lynn, 'the Forces' Sweetheart'.] Autograph Signature from album ('"Sincerely Yours" | Very Lynn').

Author: 
Dame Vera Lynn [née Welch] (b. 1917), singer who entertained the British troops in the Second World War, known as 'the Forces' Sweetheart'
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£25.00

On one side of 9 x 14 cm leaf of cream paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Reads: "'Sincerely Yours' | Very Lynn". A good, firm underlined signature, in a large sloping hand, with the words 'Sincerely Yours' in single quotation marks.

[Rebecca West, author and journalist.] Autograph Card Signed ('R. W.') to John M[?] of the BBC, postponing arrangements due to illness. With Autograph Note by Rex Moorfoot.

Author: 
Rebecca West [Dame Cicely Isabel Fairfield (1892-1983)], author and journalist [Rex Moorfoot (1921-1994), BBC producer and broadcaster]
Publication details: 
Card with letterhead of Ibstone House, Ibstone, near High Wycombe, Bucks. Postmark date 21 August 1951.
£180.00

In fair condition, lightly aged, with punch holes for ring binder. Addressed to 'John M[?] Esq. | (Far Eastern Section) | B.B.C. | 200 Oxford St | London W'. Text reads 'Alas, I have been ill with a virus infection and am going to France for a holiday with Henry, who has been ill too, and I don't think I had better undertake anything. Can I leave it till I come back – that will be at the end of September? | R. W.' In addition to two date stamps and a reference number the card carries two initialled manuscript notes on the address side.

[Dame Edith Sitwell and John Freeman's 'Face to Face' BBC TV interview. ] Two items: Autograph Letter Signed ('Edith Sitwell') to producer Hugh Burnett; & Typescript (printer's copy) of the section on the interview in Burnett's book of the series.

Author: 
Dame Edith Sitwell (1887-1964), iconic poet and critic [Hugh Burnett; John Freeman; Face to Face, BBC Television series]
Publication details: 
Letter with letterhead of Renishaw Hall, near Sheffield, in envelope on which Sitwell gives her address as Castello di Montegufoni, Montagnana, Val di Peso [near Florence, Italy]. 18 August 1959. Typescript undated (for book published in 1964).
£750.00

Two items relating to Sitwell's interview with John Freeman (1915-2014), broadcast in the BBC series 'Face to Face' on 6 May 1959. The two items are from the papers of the programme's producer Hugh Burnett (1924-2011). ONE: Autograph Letter Signed to Burnett. Signed 'Edith Sitwell'. On letterhead of Renishaw Hall, Renishaw, nr. Sheffield. 18 August 1959. 3pp., 12mo. In envelope with Italian stamp and postmark, addressed by Sitwell to 'Hugh Burnett, Esqre. | Television Studio | Lime Grove | London. W.12'.

[Dame Frances Dove, women's campaigner and Headmistress of Wycombe Abbey School.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Frances Dove.') to 'Mrs. Hyslop' [wife of Rev. A. R. F. Hyslop] regarding the enrolment of her daughter in the school.

Author: 
Dame Frances Dove [Dame Jane Frances Dove] (1847-1942), women's campaigner who founded Wycombe Abbey and other girls' schools [Rev. Archibald Richard Frith Hyslop (1866-1926)]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Wycombe Abbey School, Bucks. 4 February 1910.
£75.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with slight damage at head of reverse. It seems to Dove 'very natural & quite like old times to hear from Glenalmond'. (The husband of the recipient was Rev. Archibald Richard Frith Hyslop (1866-1926), Warden of Trinity College, Glenalmond.) She is enclosing an entrance form which must he returned signed. 'Your little daughter will be then formally on our lists, & you will be communicated with regarding her entrance in June, 1911.' In a postscript she states: 'It is a long time since I was in [?] Glen. | F. D.'

[Dame Frances Dove, women's campaigner and Headmistress of Wycombe Abbey School.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Frances Dove.') to 'Dr Bushell' [in fact Rev. William Done Bushell] regarding 'a granddaughter' he has 'to send us' at Wycombe Abbey School.

Author: 
Dame Frances Dove [Dame Jane Frances Dove] (1847-1942), women's campaigner who founded Wycombe Abbey and other girls' schools [William Done Bushell (1838-1917) of Harrow School]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Wycombe Abbey School, Bucks. 15 July 1908.
£75.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and spotted. Begins: 'Dear Dr. Bushell, | It is very nice indeed to hear that you have a granddaughter to send us, & I enclose you a recent set of our papers'. She does not 'yet know what the vacancies in Campbell House will be next year, but if it is likely that you will want Mary to come to us either in January or in May, it is is necessary that we should have her Application Form at once. The School is quite full for September.'

[Dame Margot Fonteyn, the Royal Ballet and Rudolf Nureyev.] Indexed volume from the editorial office of the magazine 'Ballet Today', containing reviews and photographs of Fonteyn, some with Nureyev, with typed and manuscript annotation.

Author: 
'[Dame Margot Fonteyn, the Royal Ballet and Rudolf Nureyev] Ballet Today', London dance magazine, founded by P. W. Manchesterr [Janet Sinclair]
Publication details: 
'Ballet Today', London. Between 1954 and 1970.
£400.00

Ballet Today was a monthly magazine founded in 1946 by Phyllis Winifred Manchester (1907-1998). In 1951 Manchester settled in New York, leaving four colleagues, one of whom was Janet Sinclair (c.1922-1999), in joint charge of the magazine. The present item is a volume from the editorial office of 'Ballet Today', containing numerous cuttings of photographs and reviews from the magazine, with typed captions and manuscript annotations, also a few photographic prints, laid down over 104pp., 4to, of a scrapbook bound in green cloth.

[ Dame Edith Sitwell, poet. ] Autograph Signature ('Edith Sitwell') on valediction to a letter, a fragment of which is on the reverse.

Author: 
Edith Sitwell [ Dame Edith Louisa Sitwell ] (1887-1964), English poet and literary critic, with her brothers Sacheverell and Osbert one of 'the Sitwells'
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£30.00

On 8 x 12.5 cm piece of paper, torn from the end of a letter. In fair condition, aged and lightly spotted. On one side of the slip is the conclusion of the letter: '[...] | Yours very sincerely | Edith Sitwell'. On the other side is the following autograph fragment: '[...] kind of you to invite me to your lumcheon party on Tuesday, and I am looking forward to it so much. I have not seen you for [...]'.

[ Sir Andrew Napier, Irish politician and father-in-law of Dame Nellie Melba. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Andw. Armstrong') to 'the Reporter of the Globe Newspaper', correcting an error regarding his voting in the House of Commons.

Author: 
Sir Andrew Armstrong (1786-1863), Irish politician, MP for King's Country, and Receiver General of Stamps in Ireland, father-in-law of Dame Nellie Melba
Publication details: 
House of Commons [ London ]. 8 June 1841.
£65.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf 'To the Reporter of the Globe Newspaper'. He points out that in 'the Division which took place last night upon the Belfast and Cave-hill Railway Bill' his name 'was placed in the Majority whereas it should have been in the Minority', and he asks him to correct the error.

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