Autograph Letters

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. One page, 12mo, evidently in response to a request for an autograph. "With pleasure / Yours truly / George Alexander". Negligible traces of previous mounting on reverse of blank second leaf.

Actress (1839-1921), wife of the actor-manager Squire Bancroft. The first letter, to Lady Hayter, "Thursday" (no date), 2 pages, 8vo. "Shall you have any military music on Friday? If so, I should like to see the Trumpeter for I want him to play some calls during a recitation. I would run in between 3 & 4 some day just to have a little talk on the subject." The second letter, to an unnamed male correspondent, "Tuesday", 3 pp, 12mo. She thanks him for sending the stalls to the concert, but is sorry that she cannot attend because "Mr.

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. 2 pp, 12mo. "I am terribly over worked just now but must snatch a moment to tell you how truly grieved I am to know of your sad accident and illness. / I fear too, it will keep you from us on the 20th which will be indeed a regret." Signed "S. B. Bancroft".

English actress-manageress (1869-1931), married successively to the actor-managers James Albery and Charles Wyndham. "I much regret that owing to the many calls upon my time at present, I am unable to give you the information you require."

Novelist (1860-1914). One page, 8vo. He excuses his delayed response by reference to illness and his travels "over central Europe with a knapsack". He is obviously sending a financial contribution of some sort despite not knowing where his bank account stands. In a postscript he says that he had given Norman an honourable mention in "The Bookman" earlier that year.

Lord Chief Justice of England (1820-94). 2 pp, 12mo. "I could have asked to be silent to-night but I cannot refuse to answer for the guests on an occasion so interesting & on which I am very proud to be present". Postscript: "Can you give me any idea of who the guests are, & about what time I shall have to speak as I am desirious if I can to go on to the Royal Society to-night?". Creased and with four pieces of gummed paper from mounting adhering to verso of blank second leaf.

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page 12mo. What is clearly a reply to a request for an autograph, "Yours very truly, / Johnston Forbes-Robertson. / Feb: 1928." Mounted, with slight ruckling, on a piece of pink paper, docketed "Sir J Forbes Robertson / great actor / studied under Phelp / Passing of the 3rd floor back / Knighted June 1913 / Published reminiscences 1925".

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. 2 pp, 12mo. Congratulating her on her performance in J. M. Barrie's "What Every Woman Knows". "Dear Miss Trevelyan / I had the pleasure to take Lady Bancroft to-day to see your admirable performance of a very difficult part: she was as pleased as I told her she would be. / With sincere congratulations, believe me, truly yrs: / Squire Bancroft".

The first, 6 October 1911, New Theatre London, 4 pp, 12mo: "I was very pleased to have your letter, and was most interested to read in it something of the inner life of the Manchester working-classes, and to hear the views of one who is in them, but not of them. I think you are quite right to seek recreation in art, as I am sure it does more than anything else to brighten existence, and to relieve one's mind from the drudgery and monotony. It is a great pity there are not more who think like you." He encloses a photograph (not present).

Explorer in Japan. Good signature on pasaper, 3 x 1" approc. With: additional pencil note "Distinguished explorer in Japan made first ascents of many mountains" ascribed on the paper on which the signature is laid sown to "Dr [Howard] Somervell of Mt Everest Expedition" (1953 expedition, Somervelld.1975).

Agriculturalist (1799-1855). He is pleased that his correspondent's book is making its way (which is "a work of time"). He hopes it will be as useful as his correspondent "could wish".

Lawyer and politician (1835-1916). "Dear Sir / I have so many calls on my resources & already subscribe to so many Cricket Clubs in Chatham that I fear I shall not be able to comply with your request - / Yrs very faithfully / J. E. Gorst". With traces of previous mounting to the reverse of the blank second leaf.

Surgeon (1836-1901). "My dear Lanyon, / The young woman who has been working for me for some time past comes here when I want her to work, very well knowing my writing &c. I should not like to change without Cause but if an opportunity occur would be glad to assist your friend. I am sorry I missed seeing you, but I hope I shall be fortunate when you call again." Signed "W. MacCormac". With four pieces of gummed paper from mounting still adhering.

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. One page, 12mo. He apologises for not being able to be of service in the way she wishes. "I find it necessary to limit the "Readings" to teh aid of hospitals."

Irish Painter, poet, dramatist and novelist (1770-1850). He gives his correspondent the address of a "Mr Herbert" who was, according to the Post Office Directory of 1846, a professor and publisher of music.

A piece of laid paper, 4 inches by 2. "<...> humble Servant / Robert Peel". Grubby and with minor discoloration from previous mounting.

English actor and dramatist (1846-1904). "Thank you for the kind offer. I shall bear it in mind. Many congratulations on the success." Strip of brown discolouration in the right-hand margin and evidence of previous paper-clip attachment.

Lord Chancellor of England (1751-1838). 2 pp, 12mo. An interesting sidelight into ecclesiastical preferment. "Sir / The Living in Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire is that, to which I propose to present you, if you are disposed to accept it. Its Value, I am informed, but a Chancellor's Information is seldom correct, is about 280l a year - / It will require much of Residence, as the Parish is populous, & contains very numerous Inhabitants. The Duty must, therefore, be considerable - After what my excellent deceased Friend, Dr Parsons, Bp.

Unionist politician, husband from 1881 of the heiress to the banking fortune and noted Victorian philanthropist, Angela Georgiana, Baroness Burdett-Coutts (1814-1906), whose name he adopted. One page, 12mo. No more than a dozen words. Bad handwriting. "Dear Sir / Could you send this note <?>". Signed "Burdett-Coutts".

Judge (1819-75). One page, 12mo. "Jany 17. / My dear Hollams / I have with some hesitation accepted the Common Pleas." Honyman became a judge in the Court of Common Pleas on 23 January 1873. Dreadful sprawling handwriting. Paper worn, torn, grubby and creased, with blank second leaf repaired and with four pieces of gummed tape adhering to it from previous mounting.

Actress (1839-1921), wife of the actor-manager Sir Squire Bancroft (1841-1926). One page, 12mo. "A happy new year to you both / Marie Bancroft". Traces of previous mounting at head and foot of the page.

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. One page, 12mo. "We have been obliged to refuse such a great number of very similar requests that I am sure you will understand how impossible it is to make exceptions." Signed "S. B. Bancroft". Small pieces of glued paper from previous mounting on blank reverse.

2 pp, 12mo. "My dear Archdeacon. / I thank God for your note. It is at least an anapneusis in one's deep anxiety at this moment. How very earnestly we ought to pray & long for our good & beloved Primate's recovery - if even but for awhile. I will write to the Bp. of Lichfield (is he in Town) Mr. Watson, & Jelf. naming 10 on Tuesday at King's College as the hour of meeting. / Should an opportunity occur, will you present my dutiful love to the Archbishop, and assure him, that he is remembered in my prayers. / Ever yours in haste.

Politician (1822-95), son of the Tory prime minister Sir Robert Peel (1788-1850). A biofoliate letter which has been cut into an irregular shape by an autograph collector. The first leaf, 1½ inches by 4½: recto, "Drayton Manor / Oct. 31. 1862 <...>"; verso, "<...> to the stopping of his <...>. Second leaf, 4 inches by 4½: recto, "<...> by great convenience to me & I am extremely obliged. / I am yours most truly / Robert Peel". Paper ruckled, and with glue stains from mounting to the verso of the second leaf, which is docketted.

South-Eastern Railway secretary, social reformer, author ((1812-1904). Two pages, 8vo. He is presenting one of his books, presumably the "Life of George Stephenson" which was published in July of that year: "The book has been written under great disadvantage, - and has been scraped together as it were out of the scraps & odd bits of my lesser moments. But such as it is I hope it will afford you some pleasure to read." Smiles wrote "Self-Help" among other significant books.

Scottish novelist and historical writer (1828-1897). 2pp., 12mo, laid down. She is delighted to accept "Mrs Hargreaves's invitation, saying when will suit her best and outlining travel plans.

Philologist and anthropologist. One page, 8vo. He expresses his appreication of Rost's "portrait" of (the recently deceased) Dr Burnell (Sanskrit scholar). It is a memorial which make sus mourn the more in knowing how much we lost".

English Admiral of the Fleet (1735-1823). One page, 12mo. "Lord St. Vincent will thank Mr Handley to convey the inclosed, to Mr. Willan, as soon as possible / Rochetts / 13th. June 1817".

Novelist. She assures him that she is "still in the land of the living, and is initially flattered that he is showing an interest (in her autograph). Then she realises that he has mentioned books by her sister (M. Findlater) and has confused her with her sister - "but it is all the same to us!". She mentions that she enclosed an advertisement for "the last edition of my best-known book, suggesting he would find it an interesting read.

Politician (1826-93). 2 pp, 12mo. "Sir / In answer to your letter of the 2nd: I agree that the Charing Cross Hotel will be a suitable place for the Kentish Liberal Unionists to meet, and the hours you mention seem convenient: as to the day I think it had better be early in March than February, as there is a better chance of attendance later." Grubby, and with three pieces of gummed paper from mounting adhering to the recto.