[Julia Neilson, actress and manager with her husband Fred Terry.] Autograph Letter Signed and four Typed Letters Signed to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope (?Popie?), one inviting him to a meeting, others thanking him for his attentions.

See her entry and that of her husband Fred Terry (1863-1933), brother of Dame Ellen Terry, and of the recipient of these letters W. J. Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), the foremost British theatre historian of the twentieth century, in the Oxford DNB. The seven items (Neilson?s five letters and carbon copies of two typed letters to her from Macqueen-Pope) are in good condition, lightly aged and creased. The first letter is signed ?Julia Neilson-Terry? and the other four ?Julia?. The first is addressed to ?Mr Macqueen Pope? and the others to ?Popie?. ONE: ALS, 1 March 1949. 3pp, landscape 12mo. On grey paper with thin mourning border. She invites him as her guest to ?a dinner given by the Saturday Club: Dame Lilian Barker J.P. etc our President is in the Chair & its usually an interesting evening?. She gives details of time and dress and names the speakers as Miss Sybil Campbell and Dr Halliday Sutherland. She realizes it is ?a long way off?, but hopes to ?be lucky to have you with us?, as well as Irene Vanburgh. TWO: TLS, 19 June 1949. 1p, 8vo. She thanks him for flowers and a ?sweet message?, and was sorry he could not be present at the ?cheery tea? (in celebration of her eightieth birthday?): ?Of course I didn?t mind you telling the Press. It was darling of you to think that I should have it, but I must confess that I was a little awed and surprised when they arrived in the garden and started to take interviews and photographs. Oh, my dear, you naughty dear! Still, a lovely dear to have thought of this old lady.? THREE: TLS, 20 June 1950. 1p, 8vo. She thanks him again for a ?lovely message? on her birthday. ?I had a happy day, but I now arrange that there shall be no more birthdays after this last!? Florid signature, in red ink, ?& thank you! | Julia?. FOUR: TLS, 26 June 1951. 1p, 8vo. Expressing pleasure at receiving his latest book. ?I think you are the most amazing man to have to probe into the past and find the wonderful and complete history of the profession. | I love this last one of yours, and I love the message with it and am very proud to possess this copy. | Thank you, my dear, many many times for remembering Julia.? FIVE: TLS, 28 June 1955. 1p, 8vo. Begins: ?Popie, my Dear, | Thank you both a thousand times for your sweet thoughts of me on the 12th. Your love and affection always touches me very deeply, my dear friend.? There is gradual improvement after her ?recent illness?, ?But as they so rightly tell me - eighty-seven is not twenty-seven! I find I tire very easily.? She is impressed that Sylvia Grey has got through her operation ?with flying colours at 90! What a woman! | I expect you?re working as hard as ever, and that there?s another book on the way? What a fiend for work you are!? SIX and SEVEN: Unsigned carbon copies of letters by Macqueen-Pope to her. SIX: 3 March 1949 (1p, 4to), in reply to Item One. It is ?terrible?, but he must decline, as he has ?a broadcast booked for that date [...] It is for Overseas, but it is an hour?s shot with bands, choirs and all sorts of things - part of a series?. SEVEN: 5 June 1951. 1p, 4to. He sends ?two nice gangway seats for the Palace on Saturday?, and has been ?writing some nice things about you in my book about Ivor [Novello]?.