Autograph Letter Signed ('G. Colman') from the playwright George Colman the Younger, defending his imposition of a financial penalty on the recipient [apparently an actress] for non-attendance [at a performance at the Haymarket Theatre].

1p., 4to. On aged and grubby paper. The letter provides an interesting insight into the niceties of Regency theatrical practice. Colman peremptorily addresses it to 'Madam', before expressing his displeasure and defending his imposition of a penalty, as a result of the non-attendance of the recipient (apparently an actress) at a performance at the Haymarket. It begins 'It is always very unpleasant to me when I am obliged to recur to my rule of penalty establish'd in the Theatre; but, in a case like your's [sic] it was unavoidable on the score of precedent; - for, if such neglect of business were unnoticed, any others would absent themselves, on similar occasions. -' In the second part of the letter Colman instructs the recipient, in consequence of her 'explanatory Letter', to 'tell Mr. Winston [James Winston, one of Colman's partners at the Haymarket] that I beg he will send to the Treasury on Saturday, to remit the whole of the forfeit'. It will be sufficient for her to show Winston the letter.