Two Autograph Letters Signed ('Tommy', 'T G R' and 'T') from Thomas German Reed, proprietor, the Gallery of Illustration, Regent Street, London, to Edward Dean Davies, lessee, Theatre Royal, Newcastle, written in affectionate and high-spirited terms.

Author: 
Thomas German Reed (1817-1888), English musician and actor, proprietor of the Gallery of Illustration, 14 Regent Street, London [Edward Dean Davis (1806-1887), lessee of the Theatre Royal, Newcastle]
Publication details: 
Letter One: on letterhead of the Gallery of Illustration, 14 Regent Street [London]. 24 December 1863. Letter Two: 'Sat. S. C.'
£160.00
SKU: 12939

Letter One: 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. With decorative letterhead in red. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'My dear Old DD' and 'E. D. Davis'. He realises that Davis is in 'a precious state of mind', and will only send 'a few lines to exchange domestic greetings of kindliness & good fellowship from the circle of Balham to the Square in N'Castle - the waters of the Thames mingle with those of the Tyne'. A few words put to music follow, with a lighthearted quotation from the novel 'Valentine Vox': 'Mynheer Vandunk who never got drunk - sipped brandy & water gaily, "cold without", Railly!' He concludes: '"Cold Without & Warm within" Wishing you & yours all the enjoyment due at this festive demise of the old year 1863 & continued prosperity with the birth of the New Year 1864'. Postscript: 'Have you or Mrs D. been robbing Noah's Ark? We'll try to consume it - the contents I mean. Not the ark or hamper. [signed] T G R'. The words 'Business Bad' alone on reverse of second leaf. Letter Two: 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Diagonal section cut away from both leaves, with loss of text; otherwise good on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'My dear Old DD'. He begins by discussing 'a great big chesnut mare' which has been 'placed at my disposal for paying her keep': 'I don't know anything of her fencing qualities but shall find out in a day or so - al about it'. He is 'waiting till the end of the hunting season' before writing: 'I don't consider this a letter only an intermezzo or parenthesis'. He has been 'suffering from pains in the back (beginning with lumbago) & in the legs, to such an extent that I can scarcely walk erect - Whats the remedy? My Northern Esculapius - Eh?' He concludes: 'When are you coming to town? You'll miss all the parts if you don't come soon - We must! We shall! We Will! have one more run. And become gay. And become gay become gay to make our vitals good!!!' He ends with a few bars setting these final words to music, and signs 'T'.