DRAMATIST

Literary Record and Bibliography [in manuscript] compiled by his great-nephew Edward Rimbault Dibdin

Author: 
Thomas John Dibdin
Publication details: 
4to, 1931
£450.00

The Dictionary of National Biography states that T. J. Dibdin (1771-1841, closely associated with Sadler's Wells, Drury Lane and the Surrey Theatre) wrote 'nearly two thousand songs and about two hundred operas and plays'. This list, which covers the whole of his life from his earliest known work in 1789 to his death in 1841, is compiled with considerable care on the rectos and some of the versos of 79 bound and numbered leaves (most being the letterhead of the North-East Coast Exhibition, of which E. Rimbault Dibdin was the Director).

typed note signed to Mr [?] Burton,

Author: 
Arthur Wing Pinero
Publication details: 
19 May 1900, with letterhead 63 Hamilton Terrace.
£10.00

Playwright (1855-1934), knighted in 1909. One page, 8vo. "19th May, 1900. / Dear Mr Burton, / Many thanks. / Yours very truly / Arthur W. Pinero". In bad condition, with tear through signature and paper and glue from mount stuck to reverse.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'T. Clark Junr. Esq.'

Author: 
James Sheridan Knowles
Publication details: 
Sheffield, 20th. May, | 1843.'
£25.00

English dramatist (1784-1862). One page, octavo. Ruckled, and with several closed tears. Reply to request for autograph. Reads 'Dear Sir, | Here it is. | Yours truly, | James Sheridan Knowles.'

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Sewell'.

Author: 
Ronald Harwood
Publication details: 
21 June 1974; on letterhead of the Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester.
£30.00

English playwright (born 1934). 1 page, 8vo. In good condition. He thanks his correspondent for 'your sweet first night telegram which was so much appreciated and so very welcome. | We have had our problems and crises but all seems now to be under control (touching wood, or any other object that protects the rash!) Please come and see it in London.' Signed 'R Harwood'.

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Charles Albert Fecther
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£15.00

English actor and dramatist (1824-79; DNB). On slip of paper, 1½ inches by 4 inches, probably cut from letter. Discoloration to two corners caused by mounting. Paper creased and with almost imperceptible closed tear. Florid and attractive signature. Neatly docketed in pencil on reverse.

autograph note signed

Author: 
Henry Arthur Jones
Publication details: 
1p, 8vo, 4 February 1928, on letterhead 19 Kidderpore Avenue, Hampstead, N.W.3
£15.00

English playwright. 'Faithfully yours | Henry Arthur Jones | Feby 4/28'. Pasted to a piece of docketed card. Damp stained.

autograph letter signed in stamped envelope addressed in autograph to L. E. Berman,

Author: 
John van Druten
Publication details: 
4 December 1934, on letterhead of Kingsgate Castle, Thanet.
£20.00

Anglo-American dramatist (1901-57). One page, 8vo. "How very, very nice of you to write - and thank you so much for seeing my play twice and liking it. / It was all very disappointing and sad - and I dont think there is anything else to say. But I did appreciate your letter: thank you so much."

autograph letter signed and fragment with signature,

Author: 
Henry James Byron
Publication details: 
the letter dated 1879.
£45.00

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.

autograph note signed to [?] Croker,

Author: 
William Aylmer Gowing ["Walter Gordon"]
Publication details: 
8 June [no date], 7 Thurloe Place.
£15.00

Playwright under the name Walter Gordon. One page, 16mo, on mourning paper. "My dear Croker / Monday is reserved for you - I enclose one more autograph and one of the three you want - / Yours very sincerely / William Gowing" Docketed in pencil "of the Olympic Theatre". Negligible traces of mount to the reverse.

ANS, 1p, 8vo, to "- Phillips Esq."

Author: 
James Sheridan Knowles (DNB), dramatist
Publication details: 
No date, Rushy Green, Lewisham, Kent
£25.00

Asks correspondent to give the trunk to the bearer ("the Lewisham carrier") if it has arrived, "and I shall take the first opportunity of calling to settle the expense". Grubby and creased, with glue and paper from mounting on reverse of otherwise-blank second leaf.

ALS, 2pp, 8vo, to J. P. Cooke

Author: 
John Palgrave Simpson (DNB), dramatist and novelist
Publication details: 
04/10/83
£80.00

He has heard that "a prospectus of the Company now being formed for the establishment of an English Opera Theatre in London has been sent to you at Thurloe Square", but he sends another with a few words. "I think that we have undertaken a good work: and I feel confident that, were the Company established, we should prosper." Needs to fill list of shareholders by 13 inst. Asks his correspondent to take a few shares "for the love of an art, which, if not your own, is akin to it".

Autograph letter signed and one typed letter signed, both to Sewell [Stokes],

Author: 
Norman Ginsburg
Publication details: 
both 1967, both with letterhead Barum Lodge, 25 Prideaux Road, Eastbourne, Sussex.
£30.00

Playwright (1902-1991). The typed letter, 8 February 1967, one page, 8vo. An interesting letter. "I am back again! I have just had a note from Murray Macdonald. He tells me he is going to direct a new play by Tam and Maggie Williams, probaly [sic] in July. The Williams' want Gladys Cooper [English actress, 1888-1971] for it but it is a small part and she has not said "Yes" or "No" yet. She spole to Murray about "The Limit" and told him she would like to do it at Guilford. So please, please convince her that the play to do is the one by ME and not by Williams!

letter [by amanuensis?] to H. A. West,

Author: 
Sir Francis Cowley Burnand
Publication details: 
no date, on letterhead addressed Hale Lodge, Edgeware.
£20.00

Dramatist (1836-1917) and editor of Punch from 1862-1906. One page, 12mo. The printed part is laid out like a telegram, with a reference number, and the letter, although signed "FCB" does not appear to be in Burnard's hand. "Dear Sir / I am head over ears in engagements & business next week. [...] to you ce qu'arrivera." With postscript "Just come from Germany". In parlous condition, frayed, and with holes and tape marks from previous mounting.

Autograph letter signed to [John] Cabourn,

Author: 
Sir Reginald Kennedy Kennedy-Cox
Publication details: 
"Sunday" [no date], with letterhead Reeth Lodge, Niton, I of W.
£45.00

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.

Autograph fragment signed,

Author: 
James Sheridan Knowles
Publication details: 
no date or place.
£25.00

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.". -"

Autograph note signed to unnamed correspondent,

Author: 
Henry Arthur Jones
Publication details: 
4 July 1927, with letterhead 19 Kidderpore Avenue, Hampstead.
£20.00

English dramatist (1851-1929). One page, 12mo. "Life won't bear looking at, will it; from / "Whitewashing Julia" / by / Henry Arthur Jones". Jones's comedy was printed by the Chiswick Press in 1903. Negligible rust-staining from paperclips in one margin.

Autograph notes signed (x 2) to unnamed male correspondent,

Author: 
Henry Arthur Jones
Publication details: 
one dated 1896.
£50.00

English dramatist (1851-1929). The first, one page, 12mo, 2 December 1896, with letterhead Townshend House, North Gate, Regents Park. "If Macmillans have no objection I am quite willing for you to include Michael and His Lost Angel in your volume of plays. Will you see or write them?" The second, no date, Townshend House, Regent's Park, on deleted letterhead of the Queen's Hotel, Southsea, one page, 12mo. "I'll see Macmillan's when I am in town and will write you further - meantime I suppose you won't be publishing". Two items,

Autograph note signed to J. P. Simpson,

Author: 
Henry James Byron
Publication details: 
26 October [no year], Globe Theatre, with letterhead of the Byron crest and motto.
£25.00

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.

autograph letter signed, autograph note signed and typed note signed,

Author: 
[Sir Edward] Seymour Hicks
Publication details: 
one undated, the others 1898 and 1939.
£20.00

English dramatist and actor-manager (1871-1949), knighted in 1935. The letter, to Mrs [Jean] Webster Brough, 24 May 1939, on cropped letterhead, 1 page, 12mo. "[...] Im so glad you liked the little book. Yes indeed our families have been bound together - over many years - and I remember the happy times I had with dear Polly at Tooles Theatre I can hardly believe it is more than five & forty years ago Please give my love to Ben & May when you see them". The autograph note, undated, on letterhead of the Garrick Club, one page, 12mo.

autograph letter signed to Edward Draper,

Author: 
Andrew Halliday [full name Andrew Halliday Duff]
Publication details: 
21 October 1872, with embossment 122 Camden Street.
£25.00

Essayist and dramatist (1830-1877). 1 page, 12mo. "If you should be in the neighbourhood of the T. R. D. L on Saturday about 3 o'clock, I should like to see you, with any of your quaint music books in your pocket. Have you still got "the ", & "the Vicar still preaches that Peter & Poule." For the latter see "Guard Room" Canto VI." Remains of mount glued to reverse of blank second leaf.

photograph,

Author: 
Andrew Halliday [full name Andrew Halliday Duff]
Publication details: 
1873
£20.00

Essayist and dramatist (1830-1877). Portrait photograph, 3¾ inches by 2½, from the studio of Charles Watkins, 54 Chancery Lane, of a heavily-bearded Halliday looking to the right in jacket, coat and striped tie. The photographer's details and device are printed on the reverse of the mount, which is docketted "Andrew Halliday / 1873", and carries traces of glue and paper. Somewhat grubby.

one autograph note signed to Sybil Rosenfeld,

Author: 
Ashley Dukes
Publication details: 
24 February 1924, with letterhead 19 Camden Hill Gardens.
£20.00

English dramatist, theatre manager, and dramatic critic (1885-1959). One page, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. "Dear Madam / Thanks for your note; I will present myself at King's College at 5.25 on Thursday."

Autograph note signed to Mrs [?] Hartland,

Author: 
Dion Boucicault.
Publication details: 
17 February 1915, on the letterhead of the Duke of York's Theatre.
£20.00

Dion Boucicault the younger. Actor-manager (1859-1929), son of the actor and dramatist. One page, 8vo. "Dear Mrs Hartland, / I wonder if you could see me here at 2-45 on Friday when I will give you my decision. / Yours very truly, / Dion: Boucicault." Slight creasing to two corners.

one autograph note, third person, to George <Teuss?>,

Author: 
Dion Boucicault.
Publication details: 
15 June [no year], 15 Elm Tree Road, St John's Wood.
£20.00

Dion Boucicault the younger. Actor-manager (1859-1929), son of the actor and dramatist. Formal acceptance of an invitation in the third person. "Mr Boucicault accepts with pleasure Mr. & Mrs George 's invitation for Tuesday July 4." Paper and glue from previous mounting on blank reverese.

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