DRAMA

Actor and costume designer (1868-?). The first letter, docketted "Alas poor Tom -", to Miss Grosvenor, 4 December 1940, 18 Selwood Terrace., 2 pp, 8vo. He apologises for not being able to attend any of her at homes. "I have been at Plymouth & Cardiff the last fortnight with H. B. Irving [Henry Brodribb Irving, 1870-1919] arranging his new play". The second letter, to L. E. Berman, 21 April 1940, with embossment 52 Temple Fortune Hill, 2 pp, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. He thanks him for forwarding the letter from Barking.

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. One page, 12mo. "Glad to hear from you: <?> had told me that you were soldiering. I wish you could have been here with us but yours is a glorious job. Good luck attend you & our arms". Creased, and with traces of previous mounting on blank reverse.

The first, 6 October 1911, New Theatre London, 4 pp, 12mo: "I was very pleased to have your letter, and was most interested to read in it something of the inner life of the Manchester working-classes, and to hear the views of one who is in them, but not of them. I think you are quite right to seek recreation in art, as I am sure it does more than anything else to brighten existence, and to relieve one's mind from the drudgery and monotony. It is a great pity there are not more who think like you." He encloses a photograph (not present).

English actor, manager, director (1912-1998). One page, 4to. "Thank you very much for your letter. I enclose three post-cards, hoping that they will be of some use." Miss Wheldon was organising a charity fete. In bad condition: creased and torn, with holes for a ring-binder and annotated with a large ink cross.

One page, 12mo. Only partially decipherable, due to Alexander's dreadful handwriting, which is reminiscent of that of his contemporary Charles Wyndham. "I shall be pleased to see you if you [...] one night next week. / Sincerely / George Alexander".

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. One page, 12mo. "We will call for you at about 10.30 tomorrow morning. It is very good of you."

Comic actor. A charming photograph, 5 inches by 3 inches, of a winking Berry in sailor suit and cap of "H.M.S. CISSY", his arms folded across his chest. Inscribed "Yours. v. truly / W. H. Berry / 1921". Mounted on pink paper docketed "Very Popular Actor". In good condition.

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."

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. One page, 12mo, evidently in response to a request for an autograph. "With pleasure / Yours truly / George Alexander". Negligible traces of previous mounting on reverse of blank second leaf.

Scotch critic and playwright (1856-1924), the Mr Gunn of G. B. Shaw's "Fanny's First Play". One page, 12mo, on the inside of a self-sealing stamped printed envelope addressed in autograph. "Dear Miss Rosenfeld / As I have had no answer to a letter I wrote to Mr Allardyce Nicoll [theatre historian, 1894-1976] some days ago, I imagine he may be out of town. I therefore write to say that I accepted his invitation to address the Mermaid Society on Thursday January 24th."

Playwright and founder of Dockland Settlements (died 1966). 4 pp, 12mo. "So many apologies for taking you down to the Savoy for nothing, but the moment Mrs Potter told me she had to motor down to Staines I 'phoned all over the place in an attempt to stop you but I suppose it was too late. [...] I am very anxious for you to play a rather important part in my new play which Mrs Potter is now producing.

Playwright under the name Walter Gordon. The first, 4 pp, 12mo, on mourning paper, 24 August 1887, c/o Mrs H. E. Rose, Buxton on the Water, Glos. "I went to Town yesterday to attend the Funeral of my old friend [John] Palgrave Simpson [dramatist and novelist, 1807-1887, DNB], returning here again this morning. / Of course the death seemed sudden when it came although one had forseen it coming for some long time past.

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.

Dramatist and actor (1834-84). One page, 12mo. "My dear Simpson: / I am getting the dates of the performances and sums paid and in a day or two will call on you and fix up the affair." Traces of glue and paper to the blank reverse.

English comic actor (1795-1842) and manager of the Adelphi Theatre. 2 pp, 4to. Eccentric handwriting, of uncertain decipherment. "We must trouble you by return of Post to send us up the last tune but one & the finale to the Pantomime / Make Puck if you please come out of the Fairy Mounds tell Harlequin & Columbine the Chace is done. Then loves rewards and change to the last tune the Fairy Temple - Then dance & a short finale - one verse <?> & Chorus - / [...] / I hope all goes well with you. We are all alive - Let us have it by return of post".

Dramatist (1849-1904). One page, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. "I am very much obliged for the ticket, and will certainly go. I am so glad you have got such a good chance, and I will "signify the same" (i.e. my gladness) "in the usual way".

English actor-manager (1837-1910). 4 pp, 12mo. Interesting letter in which he declines a play. "Its an awful shame to have kept your mss. so long, but I think I told you, I was too deep in promises &c. to give immediate attention! / If domestic Drama were popular now, I should not hesitate to play yours, it is full of pure incident and effective situations, and the dialogue is clear and interesting. [...] In my opinion this is not big & bold enough for "Drama" and not "elegant" enough or adapted to "up to date" models. [...]" Somewhat grubby.

Theatre critic (1891-1974). The first, one page, 12mo, with letterhead of the Garrick Club, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. "This comes of believing what you are told by Past Presidents of the O. U. D. C. "Julius Caesar" might shuffle through as history, but you have one on Romeo." The second, 6 October 1942, on letterhead of The Observer, one page, 8vo, in stamped typed envelope. "Many thanks for your letter. I was relying on Parker's 'Who's Who in the Theatre' which made no mention of 'Queen Mary'. I shall tell him to get this right.

English actor-manager (1844-1912). On two pieces of paper. 2 pp, 12mo and one page, 8vo, the second piece with the letterhead of Terry's Theatre in the Strand. "Here again in Harness Thank Goodness - Royalty Glasgow next week then Brum where I hope to see you. Cannot tell you where I shall stay yet as my People are away in Wales did you see the enclosed / Kind regards to all yours / from yours / E. Terry". Postscript on second piece of paper: "P.S.

English actor-manager (1837-1910). "Dear Miss Tennyson, / "Reading a play" is very actable, and would suit an actor like Chas. Collett, & important & voluble, & there are several who would make a success of it. But I'm afraid I am not one of them. Sorry to have kept the MS. so long. [...] MS. [not present] returned herewith registered."

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 actor-manager (1837-1910). Interesting letter exemplifying the importance of dentistry to the acting profession. 3 pp, 12mo, on mourning paper. "You know I've been away, on Tour with the "Lions" and after that, I took a jaunt to Tronville & Rouen, just returned with a broken tooth. - I've had to be patched up on tour, & have quite given up the idea of a good looking mouth. Any way I shall be glad if you will put a lower front tooth in. I will come to you to-morrow Wednesday afternoon about 3.30. in the hope you'll be free.

English dramatist (1838-89). One page, 12mo, on mourning paper. "I am sorry I forgot the card. Did you get the stalls all right / In any way I can serve you / I am / Yours faithfully / J. Albery". Docketed in a small hand in ink. Minimal loss to one corner. Bearing traces of previous mounting.

English actor (1853-1915), admired for his melodramatic villains. The first, to Mr Philip, 14 December 1903, St. James's Theatre, one page, 12mo. "Herewith a cheque for one guinea in exchange for the dinner ticket you sent me a week or so since". The other three all written to Allan Gomme in 1914, with the letterhead 29 St. James's Street. The first of these, March 12, one page, 12mo. "I shall have great pleasure in attending the Inauguration Ceremony of the Burbage Memorial on Monday next, and the luncheon afterwards". The second, March 13, one page 12mo.

English actor-manager (1837-1910). One page, 12mo, in stamped envelope adressed in autograph. "Dear Miss Tennyson. / There are no vacancies at present at the Adelphi. I shall be happy to remember you when opportunity affords - With congratulations on your progress. / Yours very truly / Henry G. Neville

Irish-born playwright (1784-1862). A cutting from a letter of irregular shape, 12mo, made by an autograph hunter. "Thank you my dear fellow. Tho' on the score of friendship I was quite well satisfied before as I am now / Yours ever / J. S. Knowles." Docketed on the otherwise blank reverse "The autograph of Mr. Sheridan Knowles, the author of the plays called "Virginius," William Tell, &c. &c.". -"

English actor-manager (1837-1910). Note, undated, Studio, 524 Oxford Street, Marble Arch, 2 pp, 12mo, somewhat grubby. He suggests a time for him to see her the following day. Letter, "Friday" (no date), on letterhead of the Olympic Theatre, 2 pp, 12mo. "Would you mind letting me hear your voice. I think I could offer you Florette in the "Orphans" if you felt that kind of part, - perhaps you would kindly give me a call tomorrow Saturday at about 12, at the Theatre." Letter, 5 September 1878, on letterhead of the Olympic Theatre, 2 pp, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph.

English actor-manager (1837-1910). One page, on monogrammed paper. "Dear Mrs. Lewis. / I shall be delighted to accept your kind invitation for the 4th July. / Sincerely yours / Henry Neville". Heavily creased and with slight tear to one edge, and with traces of paper and glue on reverse of blank second leaf.

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."

Costume architect and archaeologist (died 1950). He was delighted to hear from him again, and is glad that his mother is still with him. "I may be free from my refugee after Christmas: then my one spare room would be free. You might be disposed to come down for a night [...] May the bold venture be a gigantic success".