dramatic

[ W. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian. ] Typescript of '"Train 68". A Play in One Act by James Macqueen. (W. Macqueen Pope)'.

Author: 
[ W. Macqueen-Pope [ Walter James Macqueen-Pope ] (1888-1960), theatre manager and historian ]
Publication details: 
'The property of W. Macqueen Pope. | 33, Etheldene Avenue. | Muswell Hill. | N.'
£180.00

[1] + 15pp., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Nicely presented, attached by brass studs in grey covers, with paper labels on front. Unpublished. 'Who's Who in the Theatre' records this title among 4 plays by Macqueen-Pope.

[ Murder mystery concerning crime writers in 1950s London. ] Two typewritten drafts of the play '"Death in Act IV" by Basil Francis', accompanied by Typed Letter Signed from the author to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope.

Author: 
Basil Francis [ W. Macqueen-Pope [ Walter James Macqueen-Pope ] (1888-1960), theatre manager and historian ]
Publication details: 
Letter on Francis's letterhead of 115 Kenilworth Court, S.W.15. 14 November 1950. Both typescript with same address; neither dated.
£320.00

ONE: Letter. 1p., landscape 12mo. Aged and creased. Addressed to 'My dear Popie'. He is sending the revised version of the play, 'which has been tightened up considerably from the earlier draft', asking whether it has 'commercial possibilities', or 'stinks'. He feels that five minutes with Pope gives him 'more practical dope on the theatre than 5 years at the RADA!' TWO: Early typescript of 'Death in Act IV'. The letter ends with a reference to 'Fanny K', Francis's 1950 biography 'Fanny Kelly of Drury Lane'. 68pp., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper.

[ J. B. Platnauer. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Plat') to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope ('Popey'), accompanying a typescript of his unpublished pseudonymous play 'David and Jonathan'.

Author: 
'Dick M. Adelar' (pseudonym of J. B. Platnauer) [ W. Macqueen-Pope [ Walter James Macqueen-Pope ] (1888-1960), theatre manager and historian ]
Publication details: 
Letter from the Ministry of Works Press Office, on government letterhead of Lambeth Bridge House, London. 7 May 1946. Typescript undated, to be returned to Platnauer at 43 Arlington Lodge, Baytree Rd, London SW2.
£220.00

ONE: Letter: 1p., 12mo. In good condition. Pope's 'stimulating verve' over 'an excellent lunch', at which 'Stoll' (a member of the family of Sir Oswald Stoll) was present, emboldens Platnauer to hope that his play might be 'a commercial success, despite the admittedly rational principles upon which theatrical choice is based today? Tastes change - usually before the pundits are aware of it.

[ Joseph Knight, theatre historian. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr Munday'

Author: 
Joseph Knight [ John Joseph Knight ] (1829-1907), English drama critic and theatre historian
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 27 Camden Square, N.W. [ London ] 2 February 1895.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, aged and worn, with staining from glue used in previous mounting. He apologises for not being able to 'do what you asked', as he 'did not go to the Garrick until to day when I found your letter with others waiting me'.

][ Charles Robert Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer. ] Printed 'Stage Play License', completed in manuscript, and signed by Spencer ('Althorp') as Lord Chamberlain, permitting performance of 'The Assignation' at the New Theatre, St Martins Lane, London.

Author: 
Charles Robert Spencer (1857-1922), 6th Earl Spencer [ styled Viscount Althorp between 1905 and 1910 ], Lord Chamberlain of the Household, 1905-1912
Publication details: 
From 'The Lord Chamberlain of His Majesty's Household' [ St James's Palace, London. ] Dated 22 December 1905.
£120.00

On aged and worn paper, with some staining at head. A somewhat grand memorial of English censorship. The license is printed in engraved copperplate beneath the royal crest on a 31.5 x 21 cm piece of watermarked laid paper.

[ John Baldwin Buckstone, actor and playwright? ] Set of manuscript parts for an adaptation of Bulwer-Lytton's 'The Last Days of Pompeii', fifteen of them carrying the name of the actor or actress.

Author: 
[ John Baldwin Buckstone (1802-1879), English actor and playwright? ] [ The Adelphi Theatre, London ] Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803-1873), English novelist
Publication details: 
[ Adelphi Theatre, London? ] Undated, but some paper with watermarked dates 1837 and 1840.
£800.00

A total of 97pp., mostly 4to, with a further four slips. Around thirty separate parts, unbound. Written in at least two hands. In fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. Fifteen of the parts (mostly from the first act) carry the name of the actor or actress at the head: 'Mr Bland', 'Mr Jonas', 'Mr. Gray', 'Mr Howard', 'Miss Barratt', 'Mr Webster', 'Mrs Baker', 'Mr Bedford', 'Mr. Lynne', 'Mr F. Lloyd', 'Mr Hailes', 'Mrs Ridgway', 'Mr Ridgway', 'Mr Hailes', 'Mr. P. C'. Bulwer-Lytton's book was published in 1834, and was an enormous success.

[ Naomi Jacob, author and actress. ] Two Typed Letters Signed (both 'Mickie') to W. Macqueen-Pope, on subjects including Ellen Terry, Bernard Shaw and Teddy Knox of the Crazy Gang's 'Nervo and Knox'.

Author: 
Naomi Jacob (1884-1964), English author and actress [ Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), authority on theatre; Teddy Knox of the Crazy Gang's 'Nervo and Knox'; Clarice Mayne, music hall star ]
Publication details: 
Both from 'Casa Mickie [ the second spelled 'Casa Micki' ], Gardone Riviera, Lago di Garda, Italy. 16 July [ 1953 ] and 5 August 1953.
£150.00

Two chatty and characteristic letters. ONE: 15 July [1953]. 2pp., 4to. On aged paper, with wear to edges and vertical closed tear at foot. She begins by praising his books 'Ladies First' (1952) and 'Shirtfronts and Sables' (1953), adding in an autograph note 'Yes I bought them when in London.' The first contains 'that wonderfully beautiful tribute to Ellen Terry. I don't know when I have read anything which moved me so deeply, you rose to great heights when you wrote that. You are beginning to run James Agate very close on my shelves'.

[ Alan Pitt Robbins, news editor of The Times. ] Signed Copy of Typed Letter to the theatre impresario Prince Littler, regarding the possibility of a charity performance of 'My Fair Lady', and the Festival Dinner of the Newspaper Press Fund.

Author: 
Alan Pitt Robbins (1888-1967), news editor of The Times, 1909-1953; secretary of the Press Council, 1954-1960 [ Prince Frank Littler [ born Prince Frank Richeux ] (1903-1985), theatre impressario ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Newspaper Press Fund, Bouverie House, Fleet Street, London. 21 October 1957.
£56.00

2pp., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The letter begins with a reference to W. Macqueen-Pope, 'who has been a close friend of mine in the worlds of journalism and the theatre for more years than either of us may wish to remember - at least forty'. Having applied unsuccessfully for seats at the premiere of 'My Fair Lady' he suggests a 'special performance' for 'those members of the journalistic profession who fall by the wayside'.

[ William Reade, junior. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Reade jun.') to 'The Editor', agreeing to act as dramatic critic to London 'a literary periodical'.

Author: 
William Reade, junior, of Ringwood, Hampshire, Victorian poet, lawyer, playwright and dramatic critic
Publication details: 
14 Upper Porchester Street, Cambridge Square [ London ]. 16 February 1861.
£38.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He is 'willing to undertake the office' under the rules mentioned: 'the two theatres you mention shall invariably be noticed - also the Panorama'.

[ Victorian bookseller's catalogue. ] Catalogue of Books & Portraits, comprising Miscellaneous, Theatrical, Old Newspapers, Views of Theatres, London, Trials, Collections, &c. &c.

Author: 
F. Kornman, Book and Printseller, 168 High Holborn, London, W.C.
Publication details: 
On sale by F. Kornman, Book and Printseller, 168 High Holborn, London, W.C. (Nearly opposite the end of Drury Lane.) No. 9. 1888.
£65.00

8pp., 12mo. Stapled. Heavily aged and worn. A trim little catalogue, with 158 books described on the first seven pages, and the last page devoted to prints. Beneath the drophead title: 'Post Office Orders to be made payable at High Holborn. | No books or prints sent on approval.

[John Jay Chapman, American essayist.] Autograph Draft of Letter to Kenneth Macgowan, President, Harvard Dramatic Club, regarding the reading of a play 'under the auspices of the Dramatic Club'.

Author: 
John Jay Chapman (1862-1933), American author, husband of Elizabeth Astor Winthrop Chanler (1866-1937) [Kenneth Macgowan (1888-1963), President, Harvard Dramatic Club]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Sylvania, Barrytown-on-Hudson [New York state]. 3 November 1910.
£120.00

2pp., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged. He writes that he will be 'most delighted to read the play under the auspices of the Dramatic Club'. He suggests a date, 'as being the farthest off & giving time generally', but if another is preferable, he 'can attend'. If Macgowan 'will fix the day and let know [sic] - (in case Monday is a bad day)', he will 'follow your decision'.

[Clement Scott, theatre critic of the Daily Telegraph.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Clement Scott') to J. P. Brodhurst, editor of the St James's Budget, contradicting, for publication, a 'slanderous rumour' that he been bribed by a 'theatrical manager'

Author: 
Clement Scott [Clement William Scott] (1841-1904), influential theatre critic of the Daily Telegraph [James Penderel Brodhurst (1859-1934), editor of the St James's Budget magazine, London]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 15 Woburn Square, W.C. [London] 15 October 1895.
£120.00

2pp., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. The letter has been marked up in manuscript for publication, with the heading: 'Mr. Clement Scott: A Contradiction.' [last two words amended from 'An Explanation'] The letter begins: 'My Solicitors who advised me that the paragraph in your last issue connecting my name directly with a slanderous rumour to the effect that a well know dramatic critic had been bribed by a theatrical manager has handed me your letter of <?> date.

Anonymous manuscript First World War narrative poem titled 'The Message of the King', concerning a blinded soldier who asks a doctor to kill him.

Author: 
[First World War dramatic monologue; Royal Army Medical Corps, Delhi Barracks, Tidworth, Wiltshire]
Publication details: 
[RAMC Delhi Barracks, Tidworth, Wiltshire.] Circa 1918.
£80.00

Four pages, 4to. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged ruled paper, with watermark 'D. K & Co. | LONDON'. Sixty-four lines, arranged in eight eight-line stanzas. Apparently unpublished. Evocative of the sensibilities of a more naive age: sincerely meant, but coming across somewhat in the style of a Stanley Holloway monologue.

[Printed Play] The Garrulous Lady

Author: 
K.M. Briggs [Katharine Mary Briggs] Folklorist.
Publication details: 
The Golden Vista Press, Fetter House, Fetter Lane, London, EC4, 1931.
£120.00

29pp., 16mo, paper wraps (covered in tissue), very good condition. Three copies on COPAC (copyright libraries) and three on WorldCat (USA). Scarce.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Blanchard Jerrold') from the playwright and journalist William Blanchard Jerrold to the autograph hunter John T. Baron of Blackburn, discussing the availability of his works.

Author: 
William Blanchard Jerrold (1826-1884), journalist and playwright, son of the playwright Douglas Jerrold (1803-1857) [John T. Baron of Blackburn, autograph hunter]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Reform Club, Pall Mall, SW. 14 March 1882.
£80.00

2pp., 12mo. Very good, on lightly aged paper. In worn stamped and postmarked envelope, addressed by Jerrold to 'J. T Baron Esq | 18 Griffin Street | Wilton | Blackburn'. The letter begins: 'Messrs Bradbury Agnew & Co are the publishers of my "Life of Douglas Jerrold": but, the "Disgrace to the Family" is, I hope, out of print. It was written when I was a boy.' His plays 'Beau Brummel [sic]' and 'Cupid in Waiting' are both available from Lacy's Acting Drama. He concludes by apologising for being unable to give Baron 'Sir Charles Gibbon's address', being unacquainted with him.

Autograph Letter Signed from the Scottish poet Sir Theodore Martin to John T. Baron of Blackburn, agreeing to a request for his own and his wife's autograph, and explaining the circumstance of one of his Bon Gualtier Ballads.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet, biographer and translator, author of the 'Bon Gualtier Ballads', husband of the actress Helena Faucit [John T. Baron of Blackburn, autograph hunter]
Publication details: 
31 Onslow Square [London], on his crested letterhead. 15 December 1882.
£65.00

2pp., 12mo. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. In worn envelope, with stamp and postmark, addressed by Martin to 'John T. Baron Esq | 48 Griffin Street | Witton | Blackburn'. He begins by explaining that he has 'had every minute so fully occupied of late', that he has not been able to comply with Baron's request. 'Lady Martin has done what she is now most reluctant to do - written the name she once bore with a few lines from Cymbeline. I have copied the verse you wish from the little Bon Gaultier Poem'.

Printed colour halftone handbill advertisement for the Illustrated London News by publisher by Thomas Fox, Strand, London, within illustrated floral border by Sulman.

Author: 
[Thomas Fox, 198, Strand, London, publisher of the Illustrated London News; Leighton, Brothers, Printers.]
Publication details: 
Published by Thomas Fox, 198, Strand, W.C. Leighton, Brothers, Printers. [1870s.]
£65.00

On one side of a piece of 27 x 19.5 cm. paper. In fair condition, on aged paper with wear to margins. Printed in red, green, yellow, brown and black. The text is crisply printed in red and black, with an engraving of the London skyline around St Paul's beneath the magazine's title. The text begins: 'This journal contains engravings of all the leading events of public interest, from original sketches and photographs.' Subscription details are followed by a short section on 'The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News'.

Autograph Letter Signed from the actor-manager Wilson Barrett [William Henry Barrett] to Sir Thomas Henry Hall Caine, regarding the dramatisation of his novel 'The Deemster' (renamed 'Ben-my-chree') for performance at the Princess's Theatre, London.

Author: 
Wilson Barrett [William Henry Barrett] (1846-1904), English actor and playwright, manager of the Princess's Theatre, London [Sir Thomas Henry Hall Caine (1853-1931), novelist]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Hedingham, 21 Maresfield Gardens, South Hampstead, London. 28 April 1888.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Barrett writes: 'Dear Hall Caine/ | The scheme promises well. I have made an arrangement for eight weeks at the Princess's. I thought it better to fight for the play there. Will certainly have a fair chance, although there can be no <?>.' According to Barrett's entry in the Oxford DNB, he returned from the Globe Theatre 'to the Princess's, where he began work with Hall Caine on adapting The Deemster, renamed Ben-my-chree (17 May 1888).

Autograph Letter Signed ('Teddy Craig') from Edward Gordon Craig to Nannie Florence Dryhurst, anarchist, suffragette, giving details of his charges for designing and printing bookplates. With proof of Craig's bookplate for Dryhurst.

Publication details: 
Letter on letterhead of 17 Sunderland Terrace, London W2. Neither item dated.
£250.00

Letter: 1p., 12mo. On letterhead of 12 Sunderland Terrace, London, printed in orange with orange border. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He states that his daughter Nelly (1904-1975) has given him her bookplate block 'to get printed for you'. He quotes prices for 100 and 300 prints, 'only to old friends so please dont tell anyone else!! If you will just let me have a P.C I will get them done in two days.' Nelly has also told him that Mrs Dryhurst's husband Alfred Robert Dryhurst (1859-1949) 'wanted to know my price for a bookplate (but perhaps she got that wrong) anyhow I generally charge £10.

'Box Office Return' for a production of 'She Stoops to Conquer' at 'The Arts Theatre Club Festival of International Comedy and Drama', filled in by hand on printed form by Mary Pupley, Box Office Keeper.

Author: 
The Arts Theatre Club, London [Mary Pupley, Box Office Keeper]
Publication details: 
The Arts Theatre Club, London. 1 May 1949.
£65.00

1p., 4to. On aged and lightly-creased paper. Giving breakdowns for different seats in matinee and evening productions, as well as for programmes, with the number of complimentary tickets. The Arts Theatre Club was founded in 1927, 'in an attractive building in Great Newport-street shaped somewhat like the House of Commons' (Times, 9 May 1927). On its relaunch in 1933, its stated aim was 'to select plays of theatrical merit [...] with an entire disregard for their commercial possibilities' (Times, 18 December 1933).

Autograph Letter Signed ('Jn B Buckstone') from the actor John Baldwin Buckstone [to the playwright Thomas John Dibdin] regarding a meeting 'of all the dramatic authors' to make arrangements following 'the new act' [Bulwer Lytton's copyright reforms.

Author: 
John Baldwin Buckstone (1802-1879), actor, playwright, and manager of the Haymarket Theatre [Thomas John Dibdin (1771-1841), playwright and actor]
Publication details: 
29 Walcot Place, Kennington; 14 June 1833.
£320.00

1p., 4to. 15 lines. On aged and worn paper. The letter reads 'Dear Sir/ | A general meeting of all the Dramatic Authors will take place at the Garricks head in Bow Street on Monday nexxt at One o'Clock.

Signed copies of two long Typed Letters from James Agate to Montague Shearman, regarding the 'Controversy' surrounding Noel Coward's 1931 play 'Cavalcade', forwarded with two covering notes by Agate's secretary Alan 'Jock' Dent to E. F. Gye.

Author: 
James Agate (1877-1947), critic [Alan Dent [Alan 'Jock' Dent; Jock Dent] (1905-1978), journalist; Montague Shearman (1886-1940), art collector; Ernest Frederick Gye (1879-1955), diplomat; Noel Coward]
Signed copies of two long Typed Letters from James Agate
Publication details: 
The copies of Agate's letters to Shearman, 5 and 6 November 1931; Dent's notes to Gye of the same dates; all four items on letterheads of 25 Palace Court, London, W2.
£145.00
Signed copies of two long Typed Letters from James Agate

A total of 8 pp, 4to, all on Palace Court letterheads. Dent's notes both signed 'Jock Dent.', and the copies both signed 'James Agate'. Two important, energetic and vivid letters by Agate, totalling 6 pp, 4to, defending Coward's play and his position on 'the intellectual and the popular', against the 'pseudo-intelligentsia' of the barristers Shearman and 'Jack' St John Hutchinson (1884-1942).

Pamphlet advertising ''Mr. Joseph Hatton's Dramatic Reading, founded upon his Great Society Novel of English Life and Manners, entitled "The Queen of Bohemia." '

Author: 
Joseph Hatton (1841-1907), English novelist and journalist [Victorian monologues; nineteenth-century dramatic readings; The Palace Hotel, Buxton]
Publication details: 
The Drawing-Room, Palace Hotel, Buxton. Thursday Evening, August 19th, 1880.'
£56.00

4to, 8 pp. Stitched pamphlet on grey paper. Text clear and complete. Good, though somewhat creased, and a little stained. In small type. Divided into two sections: 'Selections from the opinions of the London press' and 'Selections from the opinions of the provincial press'. In a long quotation on the front page: 'Charles Dickens made the practice famous, and Mr. Joseph Hatton has begun his platform career in the same modest, careful, and unpretentious way [...]'. (p.1, 'From General Press Notices').

Shakespearian and Dramatic Catalogue [including books from the libraries of Ellen Terry and Henry Arthur Jones]

Author: 
P. J. & A. E. Dobell, booksellers, 77 Charing Cross Road [Shakespeare; Ellen Terry; Henry Arthur Jones]
Publication details: 
1930. No. 362. Printed by Robt. Stockwell, Baden Place, Borough, London.
£100.00

8vo, 72 pp. Stapled and unbound. Complete. On aged paper. The outer leaves are worn and coming apart at the spine. Otherwise the item is sound and tight. 1976 items. Items 783 to 883 concern 'the Bacon-Shakespeare Controversy'. Items 888 to 893 are 'Books from the Library of the late Dame Ellen Terry.' ('Only a few Books from her Library were sold, and Association Books are very difficult to obtain.'). Items 894 to 982 are 'Books on the Drama and Shakespeare, from the library of Henry Arthur Jones'. Items 983 to 1976 are 'Books on the Drama'.

Autograph Card Signed from Sutro to Hicks.

Author: 
Alfred Sutro (1863-1933), British author and dramatist; Seymour Hicks (1871-1949)
Publication details: 
26 October [no year, but c.1910]; on letterhead 31 Chester Terrace, Regent's Park [London].
£35.00

One page, on piece of grey card roughly three and a half inches by four and a half wide. Very good. Twelve lines and one-line postscript in Sutro's tiny and difficult hand. Sends his 'sincerest congratulations on the best volume of memoirs I have read this many a day' (Hicks published his autobiography in 1910). 'There isn't a dull line in it from start to finish; I could dine out for a week on the stories'. Reference to Irving and other actors. Ends 'A damned good book, Seymour! Tous mes compliments!' Postscript reads 'This does NOT require an answer!'

Autograph Letter Signed to I[saac]. Wilkinson[, Manager and Secretary of the Brighton Aquarium].

Author: 
Dudley Smith (born c.1852), English and Foreign Musical and Dramatic Agent [The Brighton Aquarium; Victorian Circus]
Publication details: 
22 March 1883; on ornate letterhead in blue and gold carrying address at 449 Strand, London (as well as addresses in Paris and New York).
£56.00

One page, quarto. Very good, though slightly aged and creased, and with minor damp staining at foot, affecting bottom three lines including signature. Wilkinson has written to say that he 'has not the space' Smith has 'named'. '[Y]ou express an opinion that Circus business would pay, & I, from my personal knowledge of Brighton & experience therein, feel sure a really good Circus would prove an immense attraction & a paying one, & would stand some time by introducing fresh novelties'.

Typed notes signed (x 6) to Thomas Bass,

Author: 
C.B. Cochran
Publication details: 
between 1927 and 1937.
£100.00

English impressario (1872-1951), nicknamed "Cocky", closely associated with Noel Coward, knighted in 1948. All one page, five with the letterhead Charles B. Cochran, 49 Old Bond Street (three 8vo and two 4to), and one, 12mo, with the letterhead of the Midland Hotel, Manchester. One in stamped addressed envelope. All thanking Bass (of 22 Delta Street, Lightbourne, Moston, Manchester) for his letters praising the Manchester performances of Cochran's revue.

one typed note signed to Mr [?] Lacy,

Author: 
Glenda Jackson
Publication details: 
June 1977, with letterhead "GLENDA JACKSON".
£20.00

Actress (1936-) and minor politico. One page, 4to. "Thank you very much for your letter. I'm so glad to know that you have enjoyed my work and have pleasure in enclosing a photograph [not present] for you to add to your collection." Not in the best of condition: heavily creased, slightly torn and slightly discoloured.

Autograph note signed to Mrs [?] Moscelles,

Author: 
Marie Effie Bancroft (née Wilton)
Publication details: 
"Monday" (no date or place).
£12.00

Actress (1839-1921), wife of the actor-manager Squire Bancroft. One page, 12mo. She declines an invitation. "Dear Mrs. Moscelles / I am going out of town tomorrow for some days or I shd. have been delighted / Yrs very sincerely / Marie Bancroft". Removal from a mount has resulted to loss at the top of the leaf, and there are traces of glue and paper on the reverse.

Typed note signed to Tom Bass of Manchester,

Author: 
Phyllis Neilson-Terry
Publication details: 
17 May 1920, on letterhead in red and black advertising her 1920 spring tour.
£25.00

English actress (1892-1977), daughter of actor Fred Terry (1864-1932) and his wife the actress Julia Emilie Neilson (1868-1957). One page, 4to. "Thank you very much indeed for your charming letter of welcome. / I sincerely hope that you will enjoy "Trilby". I have had great success with it elsewhere, and I only hope that Manchester will love the old play also. / thankyou for your inquiries regarding my mother and Father, they are both well."

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