[Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon.] Five items of printed ephemera including two versions of circular by H. C. Lacey on ?Endowment Fund? appeal and Typed Note Signed by director W. Bridges-Adams on New Shakespeare Company production.

For further information see Bridges-Adams' entry in the Oxford DNB (which reminds us that 'On 6 March 1926 the Memorial Theatre was burnt down, greatly to the relief of G. B. Shaw.'). The five items of ephemera are in good condition, lightly aged; the Typed Note by Bridges-Adams (Item Six below) is in fair condition, aged and worn. ONE and TWO: Two versions of the same circular headed ?SHAKESPEARE MEMORIAL THEATRE / STRATFORD-UPON-AVON / ENDOWMENT FUND.?, both ?signed? by ?H C Lacey? (?Organising Secretary | H. C. LACEY M.B.E.?), although one of the signatures at least must be fake, as they are in different hands. Shakespeare?s coat of arms printed in red ink at top right. The two versions are identical but for the fact that one is addressed to ?Dear Madam? and the other to ?Dear Sir?. Begins with the debatable assertion: ?Many men and women have given great gifts to our Nation - inventions, discoveries, territory, and creations of literature and art - but the greatest of all is the glorious inheritance bequeathed to humanity by William Shakespeare.? Continues in the same pretentious vein before describing the ?reproach that the Library, Sculpture and Art Gallery, Reading Room and Lecture Hall at Stratford-upon-Avon, is unable to complete its catalogue, maintain a librarian, or fully develop its educational facilities owing to lack of funds. / The entire Press of the English-speaking world, the leaders of Politics, Art, Drama, Literature, and Society, the Lord Mayor of London and the Mayors of the principal cities and towns warmly endorse the appeal of the Governors of the Memorial for funds to enable the intentions of the Founders to be fully realised. / To this end November 8th. is to be observed as National Shakespeare Day. Each district, city and town has been asked to raise its quota. There will be no street collections, prize schemes, or ballots, but just this appeal to those who value the ?Common Heritage? to send a subscription, be it large or small, one shilling or hundreds of shillings, one pound or hundreds of pounds to the Shakespeare Memorial Endowment Fund.? Ends with reference to ?our greatest [sic] National Bard?. THREE: Printed advertisement for ?National Shakespeare Day Appeal / for Tribute to Shakespeare / TO ENDOW THE MEMORIAL THEATRE, LIBRARY, / READING ROOM, ART GALLERY, AND LECTURE ROOM / Erected in the Poet?s Memory in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Town of his Birth.? Titled on front cover (with black and white illustration of rural scene) ?OUR ?COMMON HERITAGE.? / THE SHAKESPEARE MEMORIAL THEATRE, / STRATFORD-UPON-AVON.? 4pp, landscape 16mo. Bifolium. Middle two pages describe ?The Appeal in Brief? in small print: ?The Hope?, ?The Measure of Realisation?, ?The Great Need?. At end: ?Will you pay tribute?? List of ?Patrons, Governors, Hon. Governors, and Life Members? on last page, with quotation from The Times, 23 April 1923. Enclosed is FOUR: A ?Donation & Subscription Form? for the Endowment Appeal, on one side of single 16mo leaf of browned paper. Headed ?NOVEMBER 8th. 1623. / Publication of the First Folio of / SHAKESPEARE?S PLAYS. / His Glorious Gift to Humanity.? FIVE: Printed advertisement for production by ?THE NEW SHAKESPEARE COMPANY / From THE MEMORIAL THEATRE, Stratford-upon-Avon? (?Chairman / SIR JOHNSTON FORBES-ROBERTSON?), of six Shakespeare plays at the New Theatre, Cardiff, on successive days from 29 May to 3 June 1922. 4pp, 16mo. Bifolium. Printed in brown and blue ink in Wardour Street, London. SIX: TNS from W. Bridges-Adams to Cecil Townsend of Cleveden, Somerset. 25 April 1923. 1p, 8vo. On letterhead of the New Shakespeare Company. Untidy signature of ?W Bridges-Adams?. Folded twice. Reads: ?Dear Townsend, / Ever so many thanks for your wire. ?Measure? went very well and the prospects seem to be good. / Yours ever, / W Bridges-Adams?.