[Sir Emile Littler, theatrical impressario.] Two Typed Letters Signed, asking theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope whether he did more London pantomimes than Julian Wylie. With carbon of reply.
For information on Littler see the entry in the Oxford DNB of his brother Prince Frank Littler (1901-1973), who did not share Emile’s ‘affection for plays or players individually’. Also see Macqueen-Pope’s entry in the same work. The three items in fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Both signed ‘Emile’. ONE: TLS of 15 November 1957. 1p, 4to. Reads: ‘My dear Popie, / You know about everything in the Theatre, and I am wondering if you could tell me how many London pantomimes Julian Wylie did, either by himself or as the Wylie-Tate organisation. / I would be very interested to know if by any chance you have this information available.’ In autograph: ‘Many THANKS -’ and minor correction. With pencil note by recipient. TWO: TLS of 19 November 1957. 1p, 4to. He thanks him for his letter, ‘which I greatly appreciate. / I had been asked whether Julian Wylie had done more pantomimes in London than I had, or vice versa. I had an idea that I was quite a number ahead and you have kindly confirmed it. Actually, I have done fourteen in the West End and nobody living to-day has done as many as that.’ He thanks him for his trouble, and evidently sending a bottle of wine, ends: ‘Would you toast Julian with the attached.’ THREE: Unsigned carbon of Macqueen-Pope’s reply to Item One, 18 November 1957. Speaking form memory, since his ‘references’ are ‘at home’, he gives details of ‘nine major pantomimes’ that ‘Julian did’ in London.