HOLLINGSHEAD

[The man who brought Gilbert and Sullivan together: John Hollingshead, theatrical impressario.] Autograph Letter Signed to theatre critic A. M. Broadley, thanking him for a notice in The World, and discussing his Corinthian Club.

Author: 
John Hollingshead (1827-1904), theatrical impressario who brought Gilbert and Sullivan together, and founded the Corinthian Club, London [A. M. Broadley [Alexander Meyrick Broadley] (1847-1916)]
Publication details: 
8 February 1889; on letterhead of The Corinthian Club, 8A, St James?s Square [London].
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient (?Broadley Pasha?) was a renowned autograph collector and shady social figure, as well as the de facto editor of Edmund Yates?s ?World?. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, in trimmed windowpane mount, with traces of grey paper adhering to the blank reverse. Folded for postage. Addressed to ?Dear Broadley?, and signed ?John Hollingshead?. He begins by thanking him for ?the very valuable notice in the World?.

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[‘I am persuaded you have talent for Farce writing’: ‘Henry Compton’ (Charles Mackenzie), actor noted for his Shakespearian comic roles.] Autograph Letter Signed to J. Hollingshead, giving his ‘honest opinion’ of the farce he has sent him.

Author: 
‘Henry Compton’ [stage name of Charles Mackenzie (1805-1877)], English actor noted for his Shakespearian comic roles [John Hollingshead (1827-1904), manager of Alhambra and Gaiety theatres in London]
Publication details: 
‘16 Charing X [i.e. Charing Cross, London.] / April 3rd 1854’.
£100.00

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. An interesting letter, linking two significant figures in the London theatre. Around the time of writing Hollingshead had given up his career in the clothing business to write full time, early on for Dickens at ‘Household Words’, then later for Thackeray at the ‘Cornhill’. The farce that is the subject of the present letter is possibly ‘Birth Place of Podgers’, the only one known to have been published by Hollingshead, a New York edition of which appeared around 1858. 2pp, 16mo.

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[ John Hollingshead, theatrical impresario who brought Gilbert and Sullivan together. ] Autograph Note Signed to 'Teget', i.e. the naturalist W. B. Tegetmeier, inviting him to examine 'The Italian Hercules'.

Author: 
John Hollingshead (1827-1904), theatrical impresario who brought Gilbert and Sullivan together, manager of the Alhambra and Gaiety theatres [ William Bernhardt Tegetmeier (1816-1912), naturalist ]
Publication details: 
Without date or place. [ Circa 1868? ]
£100.00

1p., 12mo. On a piece of grey paper. In fair condition, lightly aged, folded, and with minor traces of mount on reverse. Reads: 'Dear Teget: | Come on Friday night by all means. The Italian Hercules is bona fide, as far as I can judge, & I shall be glad to have him examined.' After a career in journalism, Hollingshead managed the Alhambra Theatre, and was later the first manager of the Gaiety. He brought Gilbert and Sullivan together in 1871 to produce their first joint work, a musical extravaganza called Thespis. Tegetmeier was natural history editor of 'The Field'.

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Autograph Letter Signed ('C J Mathews') to Hollingshead.

Author: 
C. J. Mathews [Charles James Mathews] (1803-1878), son of Charles Mathews, English actor and playwright [John Hollingshead (1827-1904), English journalist and theatre manager]
Publication details: 
23 November 1865; 25 Pelham Crescent, London.
£38.00

12mo, 1 p. Fair, on aged paper, with traces of previous mount adhering to the corners of the blank reverse. Of course Hollingshead should 'wait till the last night of "used up" ' before writing to Mathews, who has 'hunted up Buckstone - hunted up Turpin - but in vain. Not a box to be had'. He has sent 'the best I could get': '3 Dress Circle to Mrs Smiles with "Mr Hollingshead's best compliments." '. In a postscript states that if Hollingshead wants 'a box for the "Overland Route" before the last night' he will be 'too happy'. 'There is always a run on last nights.'

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