FILM

The collection of seventeen items in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. Two of the letters are signed 'Frank Pettingell', the others signed 'Frank (P.)' and 'Frank'. Two of the letters are in their original envelopes. They total 5pp., 12mo. On 22 August 1947 he writes regarding his collection of playscripts, mostly acquired from the son of the comedian Arthur Williams, and now at the Templeman Library, University of Kent: 'We are on holiday here [in Broadstairs] since "Fifty-Fifty" finished [...] When I get back next month I would like to sort the old M.S.

ONE: Letter. 2pp., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged. He apologises for the delay in returning 'Purple Dust', explaining that he has only recently learnt 'definitely that the film will claim me until the end of October'. He asks Capur or his secretary 'to call in any time at the Theatrical bookshop in your court - I cannot remember the name of the shop - nor its proprietor except that his first name is Barry. [ i.e.

1p., 4to. On aged and worn paper. In response to Duncan's advertisement in 'The Stage', he asks whether he would be 'interested in the famous cartoons, in colour, which, with the signature of "Spy," used to appear in "Vanity Fair."? I have about seventy in good condition, all published between 1860 and 1885'. He also offers 'several volumes of old plays - some of them over 140 years old, and asks whether Duncan 'might care to drop in and have a look at these "treasures. | But, give me a tinkle on the 'phone first as I am rather a busy Man.'

ONE: Letter: 1p., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. He asks Duncan to look out for books in a number of fields, beginning with ones 'on old-time stagecraft giving technical data & information on trick effects, transformation scenes, etc, with particular reference to pantomime'. TWO: Advertisement. Printed in black on one side of a 14 x 26.5 cm piece of blue card. Folded twice to make three 14 x 8.5 cm pages in concertina. In stamped postmarked envelope, with his device printed in red on cover, addressed to Duncan at the Thule Gallery, St Martin's Court.

Both items in fair condition, on lightly-aged and creased paper., the typed letter having a few autograph notes by Craig at end. ONE: ALS. 4pp., 8vo. He begins by telling Craig that he has been worrying about 'how to get your dope for you'. He is going to get in touch with 'Say & Drier', but does not know how the latter will react, 'being pro German you know - in the Guard Cuirasiers of the Prussian Guard in the last war'.

ONE: Christmas card. 12mo bifolium, with coloured illustration of Christmas candle on cover. Pearson writes: 'FOR [corrected from 'from'] | Edward. A. Carrick | from his old inspirer | George Pearson | 1970'. The association between the two men was warm.

7 + [1]pp., 8vo. Stapled. In good condition, with lightly-rusted staples. Delivered on 1 December 1947. Introduction reads: 'The Governors of the British Film Institute feel that the contents of the following lecture of sufficient interest to justify their presentation to a wider audience. It should be noted, however, that the opinions expressed by Mr. Farley are not necessarily in agreement with the policy of the Bristol Film Institute.' Only three copies on COPAC and now scarce.

2pp., 12mo. On tinted paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The letter begins: 'Dear Gen. Townshend | Won't you come with me to the Famous Players Ball on Wed. eve? | I am going to ask Miss Balfour. We can all dine here at my office at 7 on that eve - & have time to see later a litttle entertainment prior to the dancing.' He offers to present him to 'some of our leading lights in the picture world especially Elsie Ferguson who is now playng in Arnold Bennetts "Sacred & Profane Love' (which appeared in 1921).

Both items in good condition, lightly-aged. ONE: 2pp., 4to. Having returned from 'a rather long painting expedition to France' he finds that 'circumstances have arisen in regard to the administration of the Society' [ the Society of British Film Art Directors and Designers, of which Craig was a leading light], and in the light of these circumstances Irving feels compelled to resign. 'It is [...] unlikely that I shall design any more films.

The thirty-six items in the folder are in good condition, with light signs of age. ONE: Six Autograph Letters Signed, one Typed Letter Signed, and one Autograph Card Signed. All signed 'Moira Lister' except the last communication, the card, which is signed 'Moira d'Orthez'. With four stamped envelopes, addressed to Duncan at his bookshop in St Martin's Court. A courteous and businesslike correspondence, firmly parrying Duncan's efforts at greater familiarity. The first letter, typed, is dated 8 March 1955, and relates to the sale of books.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, with light signs of age. Addressed to 'My dear Percy' and headed 'Love's Strategy'. Regarding the play (which was based on Goldsmith's 'She Stoops to Conquer') Littler writes: 'I don't think the idea appeals to me very much, and I am not going to do any more productions in the West End until after Christmas.' He gives his phone number, writing that he would 'be very pleased to see you or have a word with you'. In the carbon of Nash's letter (dated 27 May 1948) he writes that he has 'not messed about with the Author.

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

In a 28 x 22 cm album, with 'PREMIER PRESS SERVICE' label on cover, also carrying 'PERCY NASH, Esq' in manuscript. Cuttings and album in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Of the 55 cuttings, 28 are laid down in the album, with the other 27 loosely inserted, some of the latter backed with card, and others with labels of Durrant's and other cuttings agencies. Publications include: Star; South Wales Echo; Era; Stage; Glasgow Citizen; Nottinghamshire Guardian; Yarmouth Independent; Bioscope; Evening News; Sunday Express; Aberdeen Evening Gazette; Daily Telegraph; Kinematograph Weekly.

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.

The material, from the Percy Nash papers, is in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. It is arranged in the following description in ten sections. ONE: Two drafts of an autobiographical account by Nash, ending in 1933. Both 2pp., 4to. The first is headed 'Percy Nash' and the second 'PERCY NASH. born December 5th 1868'. Of interest are the following statements: 'Owing to indisposition of Harry Loveday, was engaged by Sir Henry Irving to Stage Manage (associated with Laurence) the production of "Robespierre" at the Lyceum Theatre, and remain with him for several years.

38 items, in fair condition, lighty aged and worn. The main item is the complete score, containing all the parts, on 12pp., folio, and signed at foot of last page: 'New Theatre | April 4th. 1920 | Henri Lucas'. This is accompanied by 37 parts for separate instruments, each 4pp.in a 4to bifolium. According to the British Film Catalogue a film by the title 'The Golden Ballot' appeared in 1920.

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Nash is named on the letterhead as the Association's president, and Morgan as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. The letter begins: Dear Percy / | For various reasons we did not get a largely attended meeting on Friday, but the better feeling between members seems still to grow.' Nash's 'protracted illness' has clearly necessitated his stepping down as president, and '[a]fter considerable discussion it was decided to ask Pearson & Elvey [i.e. George Pearson (1875-1973) and Maurice Elvey (1887-1967)] to be President & Vice with myself to continue'.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks him for his 'most generous & warming letter' about his 1927 comedy 'The Fanatics'. He has not answered sooner as he was 'suddenly caught up in some very hectic & engrossing rehearsals for "Rhinoceros" at the Court Theatre'.

ONE: Typed playscript. 64pp., 8vo. Typed in purple ink, on rectos only. In pink card 'Ludgate File', with white typed label on front cover: 'THE FAIRYLAND EXPRESS'. In fair condition, aged and worn, with the leaves bound in with a rusted metal bar. Initial blank leaf with ownership inscription: 'Jack Denton | 12 Montague Road | Richmond | Surrey', as well as 'Mr Percy Nash | see phone'. The first page gives Denton's typed address as '25 Monmouth Road | Watford', and lists the cast, headed by 'Prudence . . . a little girl from Kensington', and 'Eric' and 'Marjorie', who are 'Her cousins . .

In blue ink on one side of a 10 x 16 cm piece of white card with Forbes's name printed at the head. In very good condition. He thanks him for the 'kind and interesting letter': 'I particularly liked your nostalgic reference to snak where I had many a meal "on the slate"!'

1p., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Ornate letterhead printed in red and black, with engraving of a rising sun ('The Mark of Excellence'). Addressed to 'Messrs. Marcus Adams Ltd. | Child Photographers, | 43, Dover Street, | W.1.' The letter begins: 'I have in hand the production of a film somewhat of a national character, including all the episodes in the reigns of our Royal Family, from Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee onwards, and I thought it would be a very nice idea to finish the film with a short length of little Princess Elizabeth.

Good firm inscription on 19.5 x 16 cm letterhead. In good condition, lightly aged and creased, with slight rust staining to top left-hand corner from paperclip. Inscription reads: 'Sincere best wishes | Don Ameche'.

[1] + 62pp., folio. On rectos only. Bound with metal studs into yellow card covers, with the spine reinforced with cloth tape. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Loosely inserted is a five-page carbon typescript describing 'Approximate number of costumes necessary'. Also inserted is a typed page beginning with an 'Extract from letter from Sir Donald Wolfit: 8.7.58. | At the moment it looks like an opening date in the second half of September out of London for six or seven weeks first. Mr. Laurence Irving will be in touch with you in the near future for a preliminary discussion'.

168pp., 4to. Pages typed in black and red (by Active Secretarial Bureau, Wardour Street) on versos only. Bound in grey card wraps, with red tape spine. Typed title on cover, with circular red label of 'British and Continental Plays Ltd'. The main characters include the unnamed members of a continental royal family, together with 'Baroness Sibyl Konigsmark' and 'Section-Leader Grumb', and the scene is set at an Old Castle and Summer Palace, and 'Late in June of the year 1941. Three o'clock p.m.' and periods shortly following.

126pp., 4to. (Act 1 has 55pp. and Act 3 has 71pp.) Each act bound in grey card covers. Worn and aged, with the remains of the purple ribbon used to bind the leaves into their covers. A heavily reworked typescript. As is customary, the typed text of the play is on the rectos only, but leaves with additional typed and manuscript (presumably autograph) text have been inserted. Numerous manuscript additions and deletions to the text on the rectos, with additional typed passages on pieces of paper laid down onto the facing versos, which also carry further manuscript changes.

Good firm inscription on 18 x 16 cm leaf of blue paper removed from album. Reads: 'To Ann | with very Best wishes | from | Sabu | THE THIEF OF | BAGHDAD | 1939'. The recipient was the daughter of a cameraman at Twickenham Film Studios.

On 18 x 16 cm leaf removed from an album. In good condition, lightly-aged. Headed '"Carnival" July 1945' and with the following signatures: 'Stanley Haynes (Director) | Guy Green . (Camera) | Sally Gray | Stanley Holloway (actor) | Catherine Lacey | Michael Clarke | Hazel Court. | Michael Wilding | Jean Kent | <?> (stills)'. The recipient was the daughter of a cameraman at Twickenham Film Studios.

The three inscriptions are all on one side of an 18 x 16 cm leaf taken from an album. In good condition, lightly-aged. Given during the shooting of the RKO film 'The Saint in London' (1939), which Sanders starred in and Carstairs directed. Sanders writes, at the head of the page, 'To Anne | I want to see you in about 8 years time! | George Sanders | April 1939.' Beneath this is: 'Anne - let's make it seven! | John Paddy Carstairs: | '39.' And beneath Carstairs' inscription: 'Six years. X. | Tony Keys'. The recipient was the daughter off a cameraman at Twickenham Film Studios.

Two pages, 8vo, good condition. His correspondence reports a "chapter of misfortune" only to be capped by Belfrage's information about his father's cancer, brother's ulcer [Cedric Belfrage, alleged Soviet spy] and son's sending hom from school because of an outbreak of "infantile paralysis2. "All this made me forget to draw your attention to a broadcast discussion on the film industry which I chaoired at Cardiff last Saturday.

Stapled printed pamphlet. 11 + [1]pp., 16mo. In good condition, on lightly aged paper with rusted staples. A page of officers, headed by the Archbishop of Westminster as President, and Rt Rev. Abbot Upson as Vice-President, is followed by Burke's five-page report, and then three pages of balance sheets for the organisation, 'Focus', general funds, 'Penny-a-Day' Fund, and 'Fatima' Fund. No other copy traced, either on OCLC WorldCat or on COPAC.