ENTERTAINMENT

[Erma Franklin, soul singer, elder sister of Aretha Franklin.] Autograph Inscription, with Signature.

Author: 
Erma Franklin [Erma Vernice Franklin] (1938-2002), American gospel and soul singer, elder sister of Aretha Franklin
Erma Franklin
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£35.00
Erma Franklin

The inscription reads ‘Best Wishes / [flourish] / Erma Franklin’, and is written on a piece of thick paper cut from an envelope, and shaped into an oval roughly 9.5 x 5 cm. In fair condition, lightly aged, with two vertical folds, one through the centre of the oval. See Image.

[Juvenile ephemera: Punch and Judy, Conjuring, Ventriloquism, Shadow Pictures.] Attractive illustrated handbill advertisement for ‘One Hour of Laughter’, ‘Entertainments for Children arranged by James Portland, The Childrens’ Entertainment Expert’.

Author: 
Juvenile ephemera: Punch and Judy, Conjuring, Ventriloquism, Shadow Pictures; James Portland (fl. 1919), The Childrens' [sic] Entertainment Expert, London
children
Publication details: 
No date, but from around the time of the First World War. James Portland, The Childrens' [sic] Entertainment Expert, 39, Sinclair Road, Kensington, W 14. [London]
£220.00
children

An attractive piece of juvenile ephemera, printed in black on one side of a piece of 23.5 x 36.5 cm wove paper. In good condition, folded twice. The document is excessively scarce, no other copy having been traced, and little has been learnt about the advertiser. In 1919 Punch carried an advertisement for ‘Punch and Judy, Conjuring, Ventriloquism, &c.’ from ‘James Portland, the Conjuror and Children’s Entertainer’. Four years later the ‘Model Engineer’ carried several advertisements from Portland as a supplier of ebonite.

[Kenneth Horne, much-loved comedian whose BBC radio series included 'Round the Horne'.] Autograph Note Signed, cut from a letter, regarding Frank Muir, pronunciation and a taxi to the Savoy.

Author: 
Kenneth Horne (1907-1969), much-loved comedian with three BBC radio series ‘Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh’ (1944–54), ‘Beyond Our Ken’ (1958–64) and ‘Round the Horne’ (1965–68) [Frank Muir (1920-1998)]
Horne
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£35.00
Horne

See Horne and Muir's entries in the Oxford DNB. On one side of 8.5 x 20.5 piece of paper cut from the conclusion of a letter. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. With fold from postage. Good firm signature. Reads: 'Re above from Frank Muir, I pronounced the name to my taxi-driver and had no difficulty. After he had taken me to the Savoy I came back here and had a marvellous meal / Kenneth Horne'. See image.

[Ivor Novello, popular Welsh composer, actor, playwright and movie star.] Autograph Signature for autograph hunter.

Author: 
Ivor Novello [born David Ivor Davies] (1893-1951), Welsh composer, actor, playwright and movie star, one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the twentieth century
Publication details: 
Without place or date (circa 1943?).
£25.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. On 17.5 x 11 cm leaf of pink paper, extracted from an autograph album. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. In a large sprawling hand: ‘All good wishes / Ivor Novello’. On the reverse: ‘The “Cock-lodger” July 1943 / Don. Dobson / (Dobbie)’.

[‘Suzette Tarri’, music hall comedienne.] Typed Letter Signed to P. W. Kerby and Typed Letter (signed on her behalf by her husband David Jenkins) to ‘Mr. Horsfield’, regarding bookings, with Autograph Letter Signed to W. Macqueen-Pope from Jenkins.

Author: 
Suzette Tarri [stage name of Ada Barbara Harriett Tarry (1881-1955), music hall and 'radio comedienne'; her husband and accompanist David Edmund Jenkins [W. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian]
Publication details: 
ONE (ST to Kerby): 23 January 1944; her Southgate letterhead. TWO (ST to Horsfield): 29 March [no year]. THREE (Jenkins to Macqueen-Pope): 23 June 1950; different Southgate letterhead.
£100.00

From the papers of theatre historian Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960). (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) The three items are in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Her two letters are pinned together. The letter to Kerby has the large and firm signature ‘Suzette Tarri’; the letter to Horsfield is evidently signed ‘Suzette Terri’ on her behalf by her husband. ONE (ST to P. W. Kerby): 23 January 1944. Letterhead of ‘“Suda” / 25 Manor Drive, Southgate, N. 14’ (‘SUZETTE TARRI / RADIO COMEDIENNE / WITH / DAVID JENKINS / THE POPULAR PIANIST-VOCALIST’). 1p, 4to.

[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.

[‘Can anyone beat my record’: Nat Travers, ‘The Pearly King Cockney Singing Comedian’.] Autograph Letter Signed to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, boasting of sixty years in the theatre and asking for help getting radio and television work.

Author: 
Nat Travers, music hall artiste (b. c. 1875), ‘The Pearly King Cockney Singing Comedian’ [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian]
Publication details: 
14 November 1957. ‘Guest Turn, Royal Oak, Dagenham’. On letterhead of ‘The Grand Old Timer Nat Travers / “The Pearly King Cockney Singing Comedian” / Radio & Television Star’, 265 Bancroft Road, Mile End, E1 [London].
£80.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) 1p, foolscap 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Begins: ‘Dear Mac, Im going great and I dont use THE MIKE. I enclose Bill of Last Week / I first Worked 60 Years ago. Mac I want to get. to Broadcast. THIS. IS. Your. LIFE / I Started when I was 9 Year Old. Im now 82. Can anyone beat my Record.’ He gives details of booking at the ‘Metropoliton [sic] Music Hall Edgware Rd. I was first there. 1901. NOVEMBER 4 Weeks / Of cours [sic] I was There many Times. Mac you ought to try and get me on Television. or. Radio.

[Sir Emile Littler, theatrical impressario.] Two Typed Letters Signed, asking theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope whether he did more London pantomimes than Julian Wylie. With carbon of reply.

Author: 
Sir Emile Littler [born Emile Richeux] (1903-1985), theatrical impresario based at the Palace Theatre, London, producer of over two hundred British pantomimes [W. J. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian;]
Publication details: 
15 and 19 November 1957. Both on his letterhead. Carbon of Macqueen-Pope’s reply, 18 November 1957, from Coventry House, 5/6 Coventry Street, W.1.
£90.00

For information on Littler see the entry in the Oxford DNB of his brother Prince Frank Littler (1901-1973), who did not share Emile’s ‘affection for plays or players individually’. Also see Macqueen-Pope’s entry in the same work. The three items in fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Both signed ‘Emile’. ONE: TLS of 15 November 1957. 1p, 4to. Reads: ‘My dear Popie, / You know about everything in the Theatre, and I am wondering if you could tell me how many London pantomimes Julian Wylie did, either by himself or as the Wylie-Tate organisation.

[‘Before your very eyes!’ Arthur Askey, comedian and entertainer.] Signed Autograph inscription: ‘Yours Big-Heartedly. / Arthur Askey.’

Author: 
Arthur Askey [Arthur Bowden Askey] (1900-1982), comedian and entertainer
Askey
Publication details: 
1938. No place.
£45.00
Askey

Dating from what his entry in the Oxford DNB describes as Askey’s ‘prime professional days’: ‘In 1938 Askey joined Powis Pinder's Sunshine concert party at Shanklin, Isle of Wight, where he performed successfully for the next eight years. In 1938 the BBC also engaged him for a new radio show called Band Waggon, in which his partner was Richard Murdoch. The show, first broadcast in January 1938, was an enormous success and its innovative style was perhaps Askey's greatest contribution to the entertainment business.’ On one side of a 12.5 x 8.5 cm piece of light-green card.

[Tom Walls, English stage and film actor and director of the famous Aldwych farces.] Autograph Signature (‘Best Wishes / Tom Walls’) from autograph album.

Author: 
Tom Walls [Thomas Kirby Walls] (1883-1949), English stage and film actor, remembered for producing, directing and acting in 1920s Aldwych farces and their 1930s film adaptations
Walls
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£30.00
Walls

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. On 9.5 x 11.5 cm leaf of blue paper, with rounded outer corners, torn from an autograph album. In good condition, lightly aged, with spotting on reverse. Reads: ‘Best Wishes / Tom Walls.’ Good bold writing, with stylistic flourish linking the cross-stroke of the T in ‘Tom’ with the S of ‘wishes’, and two small vertical strokes at the centre of the underlining of the signature. See image

[Victor Silvester, bandleader and ballroom dancer.] Autograph Signature on ‘Souvenir Programme’ for the ‘Grand Empire Day Dance’ at the Alexander Hall, Halifax, with local band 'Harry Nicholl and his Alexandrians' .

Author: 
Victor Silvester [Victor Marlborough Silvester] (1900-1978), British bandleader and ballroom dancer [Harry Nicholl and his Alexandrians; Alexandra Hall, Halifax]
Silvester
Publication details: 
Date of the ‘Grand Empire Day Dance’: 24 May 1957. At the Alexandra Hall, Halifax, for T. F. Firth & Sons Ltd. Sports Club.
£25.00
Silvester

On 15 x 11 cm card, with vertical central fold making it into a bifolium with front and back covers, and central text across the opening. In fair condition, a little aged. Perforated outer corner removed from bottom of second leaf, no doubt as proof of use; with slight creasing to first leaf at same point. Printed at the head of the back cover is the word ‘AUTOGRAPHS’, and here in blue ink is the signature ‘Victor Silvester’. There are no other autographs. The front cover is headed ‘T. F. Firth and Sons Ltd.

[Harry Roy, British dance band leader responsible for the 1931 classic 'My Girl's Pussy' ; Joe Daniels, Dixieland drummer.] Autograph Signatures of Roy and Daniels, the latter cut from letter describing himself as ‘One of the Drumming Fraternity.’

Author: 
Harry Roy [born Harris Litman] (1900-1971), British dance band leader and clarinettist; Joe Daniels (1909-1993), British Dixieland drummer, born in South Africa
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£32.00

See Roy’s entry in the Oxford DNB. He part-wrote and performed the perennially popular ‘My Girl’s Pussy’, with other songs with suggestive titles. The two men’s careers both began in the 1920s, and Daniels played in the band of Roy’s brother Sid Roy. The two signatures laid down on an 8.5 x 7 piece cut from the leaf from an autograph album. Somewhat discoloured, otherwise in good condition. ONE: Signature of ‘Harry Roy’. On 6 x 4.5 cm slip of paper. Large signature, with the downstrokes of the final letter y’s extending unusually far. TWO: Signature of ‘Joe Daniels’.

[Henry Mancini, one of the greatest composers in the history of cinema.] Large publicity photograph with Signed Autograph Inscription ‘to Ray’.

Author: 
Henry Mancini (1924-1994), Hollywood composer regarded as one of the greatest in the history of cinema, whose compositions include ‘Moon River’ and ‘The Pink Panther Theme’
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£50.00

A true great: Mancini won four Oscars, a Golden Globe and twenty Grammies. No place or date. Black and white 19 x 23.5 cm print on 20 x 25.5 cm glossy photographic paper. In fair condition, with slight creasing at one corner. In sports jacket and tie, Mancini stares over his piano with the merest of smiles. On the left-hand side of his jacket, in Mancini’s autograph, is the inscription, in black felt-tip pen: ‘to / Ray / Henry / Mancini’. See image.

[‘One of the very best comedians of the generation.’] Autograph Note Signed by Nelson Keys, with holograph poem by ‘G. L.’ and Signed Note by ‘Gordon’ for actress playing ‘Spirit of Spring’ in Arthur Wimperis revue at C. B. Cochran's London Pavilion.

Author: 
Nelson Keys [Nelson Waite Keys, ‘Bunch’] (1887-1939), actor and comedian, father of the film-maker John Paddy Carstairs (1910-1970) [Arthur Wimperis; C. B. Cochran; London Pavilion]
Keys
Publication details: 
Poem by ‘G[ordon]. L.’ dated 20 June 1921. [London Pavilion.]
£80.00
Keys

Keys features in his son’s entry in the Oxford DNB. (John Paddy Carstairs was christened Nelson John Keys.) Three theatrical autographs - Nelson Keys, ‘G. L.’ and ‘Gordon’ - on one side of a 25 x 20.5 cm piece of card. Apparently a gift from fellow cast-members to the actress playing the ‘Spirit of Spring’ in the Arthur Wimperis sketch ‘The Queen of Hearts’, in the C. B. Cochran London Pavilion revue ‘London, Paris and New York’, which ran for 366 performances between 1920 and 1921. J. P.

[Luigi Montesanto, Italian baritone opera singer.] Autograph Signature (‘Luigi Montesanto’) to part of printed English libretto to Leoncavallo’s ‘Pagliacci’.

Author: 
Luigi Montesanto (1887-1954), Italian baritone opera singer
Luigi
Publication details: 
Dated by Montesanto to 1936. [His Master’s Voice, London.]
£40.00
Luigi

At top right-hand corner of part of printed English libretto to Leoncavallo’s ‘Pagliacci’. Dimensions: 13.5 x 17.5 cm. Sloping upwards towards the corner, and underlined: ‘Luigi Montesanto | 1936’. On shiny art paper and in fair condition, lightly creased and a little dog-eared at the corner of the signature. The cutting is headed: ‘Prologue (Pagliacci) ... ... ... ... Leoncavallo | LUGI MONTESANTO | PROLOGUE’, with thirty-two lines of English translation.

[Maud Stewart-Baxter, English composer and actress.] Autograph Letter Signed [to fellow member of the Women's Institute], offering to 'take charge of a side-show' after her 'blood-poisoning followed by a bad nervous break down'.

Author: 
Maud Stewart-Baxter (fl.1930), English composer and actress
Publication details: 
10 August 1921. On letterhead of 6 Eastern Terrace, Brighton.
£45.00

4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged, with pin hole to one corner. Folded once. The recipient is not named, but would appear to be a fellow member of the Women's Institute. She apologises for having been 'unable to attend the former meetings, as I am just convalescent from blood-poisoning followed by a bad nervous break down'. She will 'certainly come on Friday at 3-30.

['Pam Chelsea', 1920s London entertainer.] Autograph Magazine Article, signed ('(MR) Pam Chelsea'), titled '"On Tour" | A Magic Phrase - & what It means to The Small Theatrical Artiste' (on those working in small revues, concert parties, road shows).

Author: 
'Pam Chelsea', 1920s 'Small Theatrical Artiste' from London [revues, concert parties, road shows, music hall, variety]
Publication details: 
No date, but 1920s. Author: '(MR) Pam Chelsea | 9 Redburn Street | Chelsea SW3' [London].
£180.00

No information regarding 'Pam Chelsea' (female impersonator?) has been discovered, but the appearance of the document, and its presence in a batch of material relating to 1920s entertainment and broadcasting, date it to that period. 5pp, folio. 'No. of words. 1,063.' Written in a bold hand. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. The article was clearly accepted for publication, as '£1 11. 6 paid' is written at the top of the first page, and '5 line drop cap' at the start of the article.

['Wee Georgie Wood', i.e. George Wood, music hall performer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('George.') to 'C. B.' [impressario C. B. Cochran?], regarding two photographs and a 'cutting from the NY Daily Mirror'.

Author: 
'Wee Georgie Wood', i.e. George Wood (1894-1979), popular English music hall performer
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Savage Club, 1 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1. 25 September 1947.
£60.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with slight rust staining at head from paperclip. Reads: 'Dear C. B/ | Choice of two photographs with pleasure that you so flatter me as to want one. | Thought the enclosed cuttings from the NY Daily Mirror would interest you. Dont trouble to retain them. | Yours | George.' Wood was a screen and stage actor and comedian. A dwarf, he usually performed as a child. He wrote a weekly column in The Stage, and was a stalwart of the Savage Club. He is mentioned by John Lennon in the Beatles song 'Dig It'.

[ Gracie Fields, movie star, singer and music hall comedian. ] Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Gracie Fields (1898-1979), English movie star, singer and music hall comedian
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£20.00

On one side of 7 x 10 cm piece of pink paper cut from an autograph album. In fair condition, lightly aged. In a bold, large hand, simply reads: 'Gracie Fields'.

Two printed leaflets, lithographically printed and designed in a 'Wardour Street English' mock-antiquarian style. The first describing 'Ye Order of ye Revells' at 'Lockinge Mannor [sic][ | Wantage', the second an invitation with red wax seal.

Author: 
Brigadier General Robert James Loyd-Lindsay, 1st Baron Wantage [ Lord Wantage ] (1832-1901) [ C. R. Iles, lithographic printer, Cheltenham ]
Publication details: 
Both leaflets relating to 'Revells' at Lockinge Manor, Wantage, 26 and 27 August 1885. One printed by C. R. Iles, Chelt. [i.e. Cheltenham ]'
£90.00

Both items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Headed: 'Rite Welcome be ye alle. | Lockinge Mannor | Wantage | Ye Order of ye Revells. | To be holden by grace of mye Lord & Ladye Wantage of Lockynge on ye XXVI 8 XXVII daies of August | MDCCCLXXXV.' Printed on one side of a 47.5 x 20.5 cm. piece of laid paper. Printer's slug at bottom left: 'C. R. ILES, CHELT.' With coat of arms and initial at head.

[ W. S. Percy, Australian comedian and travel writer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. S. Percy'), a letter of condolence to the widow of Herman Finck..

Author: 
W. S. Percy [ William Stratford Percy ] (1872-1946), Australian stage comedian and travel writer [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer and conductor ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 25 Cholmley Gardens, London. 21 April 1939.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. He expresses the 'deepest regret' at his 'dear friend's death [...] His passing will mean a great loss both to his friends & the world of music.' The word 'Answered' is written at the head. Percy made his in Australia in the productions of J. C. Williamson. He toured America before settling in England. Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last pieces played by the orchestra on the Titanic.

[ Violet Loraine, music hall artiste who duetted with George Robey on 'If I were the only Girl in the World'. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Violet Loraine Joicey'), a letter of condolence to the widow of composer Herman Finck.

Author: 
Violet Loraine [ Violet Loraine Joicey, born Violet Mary Tipton ] (1886-1956), English music hall artist [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Blenkinsopp Castle, Greenhead, Carlisle. 22 April [ 1939 ].
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. She expresses 'heartfelt sympathy' at 'the loss of our darling old Herman. How we all loved him & what a dear & true friend he always was to me. I am terribly sorry at his going'. The word 'Answered' is written at the head. Violet Loraine's signature song was her duet with George Robey, 'If I were the only Girl in the World'. Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last pieces played by the orchestra on the Titanic.

[ 'Brock', 'equilibrist', juggler and sword swallower ('Juggling Swords . Balancing & Spinning Knives . Illuminated Clubs).. ] Four publicity photographs, two inscribed to Mr and Mrs James, with Typed Letter Signed to them, and publicity pamphlet.

Author: 
'Brock', Derbyshire 'equilibrist', juggler and sword swallower
Publication details: 
Letter on his letterhead, Shaws Yard, Kilburn, Derbyshire. 9 March 1969.
£90.00

The six items in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The four photographs are all in black and white, and all around 12.5 x 9 cm. They show Brock swallowing and spinning swords, and balancing a microphone stand on his chin. The letter is dated 9 March 1969, and on his red and black letterhead ('New! Novel! Sensational! | Juggling Swords Balancing & Spinning Knives Illuminated Clubs'). It concerns the purchase of 'some old pro Photoes [sic] in JIMMY LYNTONS fit up article'. The pamphlet is a thin 12mo bifolium, with a drawing of Brock doing his act.

[ 'George Franklin | The World's Worst Wizard' and 'original cod prestidigitateur'. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('F Spence.'), requesting a book from the Thule Press.

Author: 
'George Franklin | The World's Worst Wizard' [ F. Spence ] and 'original cod prestidigitateur'
Publication details: 
On his letterhead, with autograph address Green Gates, 55 Corton Road, Lowestoft [ Suffolk ]. 16 September 1948.
£50.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, aged and creased. The letterhead, in orange and blue, boasts that Franklin is 'The World's Worst Wizard', and is headed 'Too Tuubes [sic] | The original cod prestidigitateur with a new act which is packed with crazy comedy and clean fun'. He asks him to send 'Stevenson Toy Theatre Book', and asks if he has 'any books on Marionette & string Puppets'.

[ 'Brock', 'equilibrist', juggler and sword swallower ('Juggling Swords . Balancing & Spinning Knives . Illuminated Clubs).. ] Publicity material (five photographs and two pamphlets), with three Typed Letters Signed to Barry Duncan and others.

Author: 
'Brock', Derbyshire 'equilibrist', juggler and sword swallower
Publication details: 
Brock's letters on his letterhead, Shaws Yard, Kilburn, Derbyshire. All from 1969. The pamphlets by Hawkins, Printers, Kilburn, Derby.
£150.00

The collection is in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Two of Brock's three Typed Letters Signed are addressed to theatre bookseller Barry Duncan. In one of them, written on 18 March 1969, he writes: 'I have been knocking around for 60 years i think i have played every theatre of note and played with some of the best | but i am getting tired with this club stuff you play a diffrent club every night some time you double them in a night un [sic] packing and packing up. | so i am waiting for GALAS one show a day will do me'. The third letter is to 'Jimmy', i.e.

[ Sophie Tucker, American entertainer. ] Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Sophie Tucker [ born Sonya Kalish ] (1887-1966), 'The Last of the Red Hot Mamas', Ukrainian-born American singer, comedian, actress, and radio personality
Publication details: 
No place. 1936.
£23.00

On 6.5 x 12 piece of ruled paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads 'With Compliments Sophie Tucker 1936'.

[ Percy Nash, English film director. ] Unpublished pantomimes: typewritten drafts of 'Cinders | A Tabloid Version of a Famous Story' and 'Sweet Cinderella | The Flower of the Family'; 'Puss in Boots' and 'Sinbad the Sailor'.

Author: 
Percy Nash [ Percy Cromwell Nash ] (1869-1958), pioneering British film director and dramatist
Publication details: 
Nash's address given on 'Sweet Cinderella" as 2 Bristol Court West | Marine Parade | Brighton'.The other two items without place. None of the three dated.
£500.00

The four items in fair condition, on lightly aged paper. Typed on rectos only, and with all three attached with brass studs. From the Percy Nash papers. ONE: 'Cinders | A Tabloid Version of a Famous Story' [ retitled in manuscript from 'Cinderella | A Fantasy in Two Parts'. 16pp., 4to. Characters include 'The Baron Orpington . . . A Henpecked Old Bird' and 'Prince Ministroni . . . The Broth of a Boy'. With a few minor manuscript changes. Referred to as 'our Pantomime' in the finale. TWO: 'Sweet Cinderella| The Flower of the Family | Potted by | Percy Nash'. 9pp., 8vo.

[ Edmund Gwenn, Oscar-winning actor, and Jan Hurst, composer and conductor. ] Autograph Signatures, with five others.

Author: 
Edmund Gwenn [ Teddy Gwenn ] (1877-1959), Oscar-winning English actor; Jan Hurst (c.1890-1967), composer and conductor, and Musical Director to the Brighton Corporation
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Bedford Hotel, Brighton. Undated [between 1929 and 1934].
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The seven signatures are on top of one another, with the fifth in pencil and the others in ink. They read: 'Teddy Gwenn | [ ditto ] Michael | Lawrence | Sevier | Tommy Shale | Jan Hurst. | Patersen Story'. From the papers of Herman Finck (1872-1939), with whom Jan Hurst was connected. According to one authority: 'In 1929 [Hurst] secured the all year round post of Musical Director to the Brighton Corporation and as such, he was in charge of their Municipal Orchestra.

[ Val Gurney, English actor and playwright. ] Manuscript of 'Twice nightly version' of unpublished play 'A Sinner in Paradise by Val Gurney'.

Author: 
Val Gurney, English actor and playwright
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated. [ Circa 1918. ]
£180.00

96pp., 8vo. In exercise book, in blue ink with red underlining. With two additional passages on slips of paper pinned onto leaves. Aged and worn, in red card wraps with repaired spine. Nicoll notes an earlier title 'All for Him'. Set in the house of London stockbroker David Carne. Considering the play's popularity in the provinces, its fall into oblivion is surprising. Productions are noted at Southampton (1918-1919, 1930-1931), Oxford (1919), Swansea (1920), Sunderland (1924, the poster announcing: 'J. R. C.

[ Gracie Fields. ] Two black and white prints of photographic studio portraits of the singer and actress Gracie Fields, one promoting 'Sing As We Go' (1934) and the other 'Look Up And Laugh' (1935).

Author: 
Gracie Fields [ stage name of Grace Stansfield ] (1898-1979), English singer and stage and screen actress [ Cyril Leeston, London photographer; A. T. P. Studios]
Publication details: 
The 'Sing As We Go' photograph has the stamp on the reverse of Cyril Leeston, London, and is captioned in pencil '1935 A.T.P. Studios'. The 'Look Up And Laugh' photograph is captioned on reverse 'A.T.P. Studio 1935'.
£60.00

The two prints are in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. The 'Sing As We Go' (1934) photograph is 24 x 19.5 cm. In pencil on the reverse: 'Gracie Fields | S.G.P 4 | "Sing as we go" 1935 [sic] A.T.P. Studios' and is stamped 'CYRIL LEESTON | LONDON | TELEPHONE 3884 PADDINGTON'. It is a head and shoulders shot of Fields, leaning slightly forwards as she looks straight into the camera, smiling. The 'Look Up And Laugh' (1935) photograph is 25.5 x 19.5 cm. It has in pencil on reverse: 'LL | P.24 | Gracie Fields in "Look up & Laugh" | A.T.P. Studios 1935'.

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