BRITTON

[Hutin Britton, Shakespearian actress.] Two Autograph Letters Signed to theatre historian, one written following the death of her husband, Canadian actor-manager Matheson Lang.

Author: 
Hutin Britton [Nellie Hutin Britton], English Shakespearian actress, wife of Canadian actor-manager Matheson Lang (1879-1948) [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
ONE: 28 April 1948; from the Marine Hotel, Hastings, Barbados, British West Indies. TWO: 15 October 1951; on letterhead of 11 Reddington Road, Hampstead, NW3 [London].
£60.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers.. See his entry, and that of Matheson Lang, in the Oxford DNB. As the latter states, Britton and Lang had married in 1903 (she had been an actress with him in the Benson company since 1901). They toured together in Lang’s company, with Britton usually as his leading lady. ‘In 1914 they helped to inaugurate Shakespeare productions at the Old Vic under Lilian Baylis, for which Lang personally lent costumes and scenery.’ Britton was for many years a member of the Old Vic's governing board. Both items are signed ‘N. Matheson Lang’. ONE: ALS, 28 April 1948.

[ John Britton, antiquary. ] Proofs of the title-page and dedication page of his 'Memoir of John Aubrey, F.R.S.', corrected in autograph.

Author: 
John Britton (1771-1857), antiquary and topographer [ John Aubrey; John Bowyer Nichols ]
Publication details: 
On title-page: 'London: Printed for the Wiltshire Topographical Society, By J. B. Nichols and Son, 25, Parliament Street. 1845.'
£180.00

The two pages are on the rectos of a 4to bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, and with two horizontal creases. Four minor proof directions by Britton to title-page, together with the words 'Wood Cut'; and the emendation of 'Marquis' to 'Marquess' in the dedication. The title differs in minor ways from the published version: 'Memoir of John Aubrey, F.R.S.

Syndicate content