[Oscar Hammerstein, American lyricist and librettist associated with Richard Rodgers.] Typed Note Signed ('Oscar') to W. J. Macqueen-Pope, regarding the opening of the London production of 'The King and I'.

1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded once. The printing of the letterhead, in red and black, extends along three edges, with decorations including an oriental-style architectural motif in front of a tree at bottom right. At the head of the page the letterhead reads 'Williamson presents The King and I as originally produced by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein 2nd.' The four directors of Williamson Music Limited are named at the foot, including Rodgers, Hammerstein and 'Louis Dreyfus (British formerly American)'. The note, addressed to 'Mr. MacQueen Pope' at his Coventry Street address, reads: 'Dear MacQueen, | Thank you for your book, I know that I shall read it with great pleasure. | We had the opening you predicted and I am very glad that you were not wrong. | All the best to you.' 'The King and I' was written as a vehicle for Gertrude Lawrence, who starred in the original Broadway run opposite Yul Brynner. The original London production opened on 8 October 1953 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and featured Valerie Hobson as Anna and Herbert Lom as the King. MacQueen-Pope was the Drury Lane publicist, hence his ability to make a prediction about the production's success.