LYRIC

[Sir Nigel Playfair, actor-manager of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.] Autograph Signature ('Nigel Playfair') on the programme for the lyric production 'When Crummles Played -' (based on characters from 'Nicholas Nickleby' by Charles Dickens).

Author: 
Sir Nigel Playfair [Sir Nigel Ross Playfair] (1874-1934), actor-manager of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith [Charles Dickens, 'Nicholas Nickleby']
Publication details: 
The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, W.6. [London] 'This (Thursday) evening, June 2nd, 1927, at 8 o'clock | Subsequent evenings at 8.30'. [Wightman Mountain & Andrews Ltd, Printers, 31 & 33, Victoria Street, S.W.]
£45.00

Four-page programme on bifolium, stapled into covers of shiny art paper. In fair condition, worn and aged, with rusted staples. Folded once. The covers are printed on the outside only. On the front are two illustrations in Georgian style, with the caption 'George Barnwell's Contrition'. On the back is a drawing of 'Portsmouth Old Theatre', 'Reproduced by kind permission of Arthur Moreland.' The small signature ('Nigel Playfair') is at top right of front cover. The first page of the programme carries five 'Producer's Notes' by 'Lessee & Manager' Playfair.

[Sir Nigel Playfair, actor-manager of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.] Autograph Signature ('Nigel Playfair') on the programme for the lyric production 'When Crummles Played -' (based on characters from 'Nicholas Nickleby' by Charles Dickens).

Author: 
Sir Nigel Playfair [Sir Nigel Ross Playfair] (1874-1934), actor-manager of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith [Charles Dickens, 'Nicholas Nickleby']
Publication details: 
The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, W.6. [London] 'This (Thursday) evening, June 2nd, 1927, at 8 o'clock | Subsequent evenings at 8.30'. [Wightman Mountain & Andrews Ltd, Printers, 31 & 33, Victoria Street, S.W.]
£45.00

Four-page programme on bifolium, stapled into covers of shiny art paper. In fair condition, worn and aged, with rusted staples. Folded once. The covers are printed on the outside only. On the front are two illustrations in Georgian style, with the caption 'George Barnwell's Contrition'. On the back is a drawing of 'Portsmouth Old Theatre', 'Reproduced by kind permission of Arthur Moreland.' The small signature ('Nigel Playfair') is at top right of front cover. The first page of the programme carries five 'Producer's Notes' by 'Lessee & Manager' Playfair.

[Yvonne Arnaud, French actress and musician.] Autograph Letter Signed, in English, at the time of her first triumph ('Suzanne' in 'The Girl in the Taxi'), to a 'Cher Monsieur', regarding having her picture taken by 'Mess. Foulsham and Banfield'.

Author: 
Yvonne Arnaud (1890-1958), French actress and musician who settled in London [Lyric Theatre; Foulsham & Banfield, London photographers]
Publication details: 
'11th. 7bre. [11 September] 1912. Lyric [i.e. The Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London].
£45.00

2pp, 16mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. At the time of writing Arnaud was delighting audiences at the Lyric in her first leading role, that of 'Suzanne' in the musical 'The Girl in the Taxi'. Good firm signature. She writes: 'Cher Monsieur | Thanks [sic] you very much for your nice letter. Certainly I will go to Mess. Foulsham and Banfield for a picture, perhaps next week, and then, when they will be ready I give you one with great pleasure. | Mes bien sincères salutations.

[Lyric Theatre, London: First World War benefit concert.] Programme for 'Ellen Terry's Bouquet', 'In Aid of the Concerts at the Front'. Containing 'Letter from the Commander-in-Chief', Douglas Haig.

Author: 
Lena Ashwell; Concerts at the Front; Lyric Theatre, London; Dame Ellen Terry; Lilian Braithwaite; Dorothy Moulton; E. V. Lucas; Harry Grattan; Howard Carr; Frederick Rosse; Douglas Haig
Publication details: 
Lyric Theatre, London ('Organised by Miss Lena Ashwell in conjunction with the Ladies' Auxiliary Committee of the Y.M.C.A.'), on 29 June 1917. [Slug: 'LONDON: FINDEN BROWN AND CO. LTD., 15, CRAVEN STREET, STRAND'.]
£80.00

11 + [1]pp, 4to. Stitched with pink thread and unbound. In fair condition, lightly aged. Nicely printed on laid paper, with cover illustration in black and green of view from back of stage of dancer receiving a bouquet from an audience. The second page gives details of the performance, with a list of the names of the 'Executive Committee'. The programme is on pp.3-11. Divided into 16 numbers. After five songs, the main feature (numbers 6-15 pp.4-8) is 'Chelsea on Tiptoe | New Version', with 'A Prologue | Written specially for “Ellen Terry's Bouquet” | By E. V.

['Harry Lester and his Hayseeds', variety performers.] McGlennon's Hill Billy Song Book [lyrics of 63 songs, with photograph of Lester's band on cover and feature on him inside].

Author: 
Harry Lester and his Hayseeds [Harold Worth Lester (1895-1993), American variety performer resident in England [Felix McGlennon, music publisher; hillbilly music]
Publication details: 
Felix McGlennon Ltd, Printers and Publishers, 9 City Garden Row, City Road, London, N.1.
£220.00

For information on Lester see his obituary in the Independent, 4 July 1993, which states that with his band he 'cheered up England during the blacked-out Forties'. 12pp., 4to. Stapled. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Cover text printed in red, with black and white 14.5 x 19 cm photograph of 'Harry Lester and his Hayseeds'. P.3 carries an article on 'Harry Lester', with photograph.

[ Samuel Brandram, Victorian reciter from Shakespeare. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Saml Brandram') to Luther Munday, Secretary of the Old Lyric Club, describing his poor health and recent operation.

Author: 
Samuel Brandram (1824-1892), barrister noted for his public recitations from Shakespeare, co-foumder of the Oxford Dramatic Society [ Luther Munday (1857-1922), Secretary of the Old Lyric Club ]
Publication details: 
Richmond. 5 August 1888.
£45.00

According to his entry in the Oxford DNB, Brandram - founder with Frank Talfourd of the Oxford Dramatic Society - 'was remembered as the most distinguished Shakespearian reciter of the period, influencing the productions of William Poel, and through his popular recitations familiarized middle-class families with Shakespeare'. 2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, with unobtrusive repair of closed tear with archival tape.

[ The Earl of Londesborough andn the Lyric Club, Barnes. ] Engraving by Cecil Cutler, with manuscript (autograph?) invitation by the Earl of Londesborough, to 'meet the Oxford Green' [ following the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race ].

Author: 
William Denison, 1st Earl of Londesborough (1834-1900), Liberal politician [ Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race; Lyric Club, Barnes; Cecil Cutler, engraver ]
Publication details: 
[ At the Lyric Club, Barnes, on 26 March 1890. ] Engraving: 'Cecil Cutler | Invr. et del. 1890'.
£90.00

Printed in black on one side of 15.5 x 25 cm card. In fair ondition, aged and worn, with traces of mount on reverse. The illustration, winding along the edge of the page from top left to bottom right, is a pleasing detailed line drawing, showing a fashionable crowd (men in top hats, ladies in coaches and so on) viewing the race from what is probably the Club's part of the bank of the river (a chimney and crenelated wall may serve as identifying landmarks). Among the myriad of faces may be caricatures of individuals.

[ Luther Munday, Secretary of the Old Lyric Club. ] Printed handbill for a 'Private Farewell Matinee' for Mr and Mrs Luther Munday, at the Green Park Club, London, with facsimile signatures of 'Stars in the firmament of Art'.

Author: 
[ Luther Munday, Secretary of the Old Lyric Club; Constance, Countess of Romney; the Green Park Club, London; the Old Lyric Club; Herbert Beerbohm Tree ]
Publication details: 
'at the St James' Theatre, kindly lent by Mr. George Alexander, On Friday, June 7th, 1907, at 3 p.m.'
£120.00

4pp., folio. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper slightly worn at head. The front page is headed 'H.R.H. Princess Christian and the Royal Members, are Patrons of a Private Farewell Matinee arrranged by Lady Romney on behalf of the Green Park Club for Mr. and Mrs. Luther Munday'. The names of twenty performers are listed beneath this, headed by Herbert Beerbohm Tree, with various other individuals named.

[ The Lyric Club, Piccadilly and Barnes. ] Original photographic print of an interior at the 'Lyric Club', with a newsaper cutting reporting that the New Lyric Club is 'starting on its career with every prospect of a brilliant success'.`

Author: 
The Lyric Club, Piccadilly East and Barnes, late-Victorian venue for 'smoking concerts'
Publication details: 
[ The New Lyric Club, Coventry Street, London. ] Circa 1889.
£35.00

The sepia photographic print is 15.5 x 11.5 cm, and shows a sumptuous domestic interior, showing paintings around an ornately carved wooden doorframe, into another room, with hangings draped footstool, piano, and other accoutrements of high Victorian interior decoration. In pencil on reverse: 'The Lyric Club'. The cutting is 12 cm and forty-five lines long. It begins 'The new Lyric Club is starting on its career with every propsect of a brilliant success.

[Sir Nigel Playfair, actor-manager of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.] Autograph signature.

Author: 
Sir Nigel Playfair (1874-1934), British actor-manager of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£15.00

On one side of a piece of 2.5 x 8 cm thin card. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight creasing (not affecting text). Possibly in response to a request for an autograph. Reads: 'Nigel Playfair'.

Autograph Note Signed ('Anneliese'), to 'liebe Liesel', on reverse of photographic portrait postcard.

Author: 
Anneliese Rothenberger (born 1924), German operatic lyric soprano
Publication details: 
1956
£28.00

Dimensions roughly 14 x 9 cm. Very good. The photograph, captioned 'Anneliese Rothenberger', is a head and shoulders shot of a smiling Rothenberger. The note on the reverse, in green ink, reads 'dir, liebe Liesel, alles ! | diese | [signed] Anneliese | 1956'.

Typed letter signed to the playwright Richard Pryce,

Author: 
Nigel Playfair
Publication details: 
6 November 1922, on letterhead of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.
£45.00

English actor-manager and director (1874-1934), knighted in 1928. He thanks him for his letter about the play "The Immortal Hour" (1907) by Fiona Macleod (William Sharp). "I am delighted that you liked it so much, and I think that gradually the public is beginning to find it out. / It will amuse you to hear that the night before last I saw a performance, at my little boys' school, of "The Dumb Cake"; a pirated version revised from memory.

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