[Thomas John Dibdin, playwright.] Autograph Letter Signed ('T Dibdin') to the Pall Mall bookseller Clement Chapple, regarding terms for his 'New Opera'. With Signed Autograph Copy of Chapple's reply on reverse.

Dibdin's letter: 1p., 12mo. On bifolium, with the Signed Autograph Copy of Chapple's reply (also 1p., 12mo) on the reverse of the same leaf. Reverse of second leaf addressed to 'C. Chapple Esq', with a nineteenth-century shelfmark at the foot of the page: 'C.68.Coll.CR.' In fair condtion, on aged paper. Dibdin writes: 'Dear Sir, | I presume you will not like to give £50 for the Copyright of the New Opera or perhaps you would give 45 - therefore I am going to take a good offer which will enable me to accept the two Bills and pay [last word underlined] them | With many thanks - Yours ever truly | T Dibdin'. Autograph Signed Copy of Chapple's reply: 18 lines of neatly written text. He begins: 'Dr Sir | I have been expecting your opera on our late understanding viz to Publish jointly, I am however happy to learn you can have some money for it, pray dont miss the offer as there is a very great dearth in the purchasing way as well as in all others.' He continues in the hope that Dibdin 'can assist' him 'wth cash', as he has 'a 37 on Saturday & two more next week, and actually no stuff for either of them at this moment'. He is 'going out this morning in the forlorn hope', but expects his labour to be in vain. He ends by asking Dibdin to 'favor my Clerk with an order for 3 or for 2 this evening'.