MANUSCRIPT

Five items, in fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, with slight rust staining from staple which held them together. Laver's two letters are both 2pp. long (one 8vo and one 12mo). The two relate to a collection of Dalziel wood-engravings, there being 'too many already in the Museum to justify our purchasing the collection in its entirety'. Laver suggests taking a selection of 100 engravings for £5, and with the second letter returns the residue, the price paid being £7 10s 0d. With Laver paying personally for two engravings damaged while in his care.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border and armorial letterhead. In fair condition, on aged paper, with slight traces of glue from mount on blank reverse of second leaf. His reply has been delayed by the fact that Stephenson's letter was misdirected to 'Highbury College'. He thanks Stephenson for his letter, and feels 'so much pleasure' at 'time passed in Edinburgh', regarding 'that great city with so sincere an affection, that it is very pleasing to [him] to receive so kind a letter from one of its inhabitants'.

On one side of a 7.5 x 10.5 cm piece of grey paper. Laid down on a piece of cream paper cut from an album. In fair condition, aged. Reads (with manuscript additions in square brackets): 'LYCEUM THEATRE. | Mr. Henry Russell's Entertainment, | ADMIT [Four Dress Circle] | On [ Wed ] day, September [ 7th ] 1853. | [Henry Russell.] | Not admitted after a quarter to 8.' Also included is an undated newspaper cutting of a letter from Russell 'To the Editor of the Daily News', from '74, Kensington-gardens-square, Bayswater, Nov.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged paper, with minor traces of glue from mount on reverse. Reads: 'My ydear Massingham. | Will you give me an admission for myself & friend to see the Pantomime - I hear it is great - how are you - can I do any thing for you! - | Thine sincerely | Henry Massingham'. 'Old Massingham' was well-known in his day as 'the lessee of the box-office at the Princess's Theatre during the reign of Keeley and Charles Kean'. His collection of theatrical material was auctioned after his death.

10pp., 8vo. Contemporary duplicated typescript, on ten leaves held together by one corner with a brass stud. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper with slight creasing at head. The present item is a paper presented to an unnamed committee. A version was published under the same title in 'Home Rule Problems', edited by Basil Williams, with an introduction by Viscount Haldane (London: P. S. King & Son, 1911). The opening paragraph reads: 'In writing this paper I wish to put in as strong a light as possible the objections to Home Rule, which one commonly hears from the Ulster Unionists.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, aged and lightly-creased. The letter begins: 'Four thousand thanks for the very kind manner in which you have given the notice of my dearest wife in your last number.' The notice will be extremely gratifying 'to her family and any of the many who loved her'. Mrs Planché was also a playwright, and is thought to have collaborated with her husband on a number of works.

ONE: Autograph family reminiscences by Rosa Mary George (née Grossmith). 19 pp., 12mo. Rough pencil notes, on ruled pages torn from a notebook. Seventeen pages on George Grossmith junior, with a page apiece on 'His Father' and 'His Uncle'. TWO: The two letters, totalling 9pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper.

ONE: Christmas card. 12mo bifolium, with coloured illustration of Christmas candle on cover. Pearson writes: 'FOR [corrected from 'from'] | Edward. A. Carrick | from his old inspirer | George Pearson | 1970'. The association between the two men was warm.

On letterhead, cropped down to 7.5 x 9 cm. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'March 10. 91 | B. C. | Alas! I am rusticating! | Aberdare'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with unobtrusive spike hole through both leaves. The signature is unclear, and appears to read 'Eleyn Zahn', but the only one of Charles Kenney's sisters with a name beginning in 'E' was Ellen. She asks for a private box for the following Thursday on behalf of her sister 'V. Kenney [ Virginia Kenney, born 1821]and self'. She refers to his 'long and prosperous reign', and fears that it will be 'long before we shall enjoy the gratification of seeing both you and Mrs. Kean again, as we leave for Paris in a few days'.

7 + [1]pp., 8vo. Stapled. In good condition, with lightly-rusted staples. Delivered on 1 December 1947. Introduction reads: 'The Governors of the British Film Institute feel that the contents of the following lecture of sufficient interest to justify their presentation to a wider audience. It should be noted, however, that the opinions expressed by Mr. Farley are not necessarily in agreement with the policy of the Bristol Film Institute.' Only three copies on COPAC and now scarce.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Brammall's address is given as Cheetwood, 123 Dartmouth Road, Brondesbury, NW. Note Wilson's parsimonious or thrifty use of his old Premier's letterhead despite his return to England. He regrets having to decline Brammall's invitation 'relative to the Dinner of the Diggers' Club to be held on the 8th June', due to his 'being absent in the North of England on that date'. A manuscript list of attendees (presumably by Bramall) is on the reverse, with the note: 'I should like a small table in the room for the artistes after dinner'.

The inscription is on a 22.5 cm square piece of card, and reads: 'Eden Phillpotts - somewhat battered, but still telling stories. | May 1950.' Laid down on the card, above the inscription, is a 14 x 18 cm black and white photograph, depicting Phillpotts, book in hand, standing in front of a bookcase, which has apparently been cut by Phillpotts from a magazine. The item is in fair condition, lightly-aged and worn.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on aged paper. In envelope with Penny Red stamp and postmarks (including one dated 21 March 1853), addressed by Davenport to 'J F. D. Croker Esq | 3 Gloucester Road | Old Brompton'. He thanks him for sending 'his Dramatic Register of 52 (& one also 51 while in Scotland)', and congratulates 'Mr C upon the very excellent style in which he has put the facts together'. Also present are a cutting relating to Davenport, from the New York Albion, 24 February 1855, and a small engraved portrait of 'MR.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. The letter begins: 'As cheapness seems the chief topic at present, I send you 'something cheap' which I trust may suit the Gazette.' He asks, 'when any verse of mine appears in the Gazette', for a stamped copy.. He has 'many friends, connected with the Local press, who would quote & thus be serviceable to you'. In a postscript he tells Jerdan: 'You must please yourself about "Something Cheap" it is out of my usual way, written off hand: and I may have missed my mark.'

2pp., 12mo. On tinted paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The letter begins: 'Dear Gen. Townshend | Won't you come with me to the Famous Players Ball on Wed. eve? | I am going to ask Miss Balfour. We can all dine here at my office at 7 on that eve - & have time to see later a litttle entertainment prior to the dancing.' He offers to present him to 'some of our leading lights in the picture world especially Elsie Ferguson who is now playng in Arnold Bennetts "Sacred & Profane Love' (which appeared in 1921).

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: ALS. 1p., 4to. In stamped envelope addressed to Ducan in St Martin's Court, London. Begins: 'O, thank you for the beautiful print. I think it's really lovely - couldn't be more delighted.' She thanks him for 'the charming note', adding: 'If I'd known it helped I'd have smiled more often!' TWO: ACS. In red ink. Begins: 'How lovely - the programme. So pleased to have it'. She ends: 'Hope we manage as well as they did!'

1p. 4to. Enclosing £2 10s 0d, and written out by hand on a piece of aged ruled paper. With acknowledgment by Duncan at bottom right. In stamped and postmarked envelope, addressed by Brahms to Duncan at his London shop, 11 St Martin's Court.

ONE: TNS. 1p., landscape 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged with nick to corner. Letterhead features two small cartoons: a caricature of himself and a lion. Covering letter sending 'herewith my autograph for your collection'. TWO: Signed black and white portrait photograph of Cole. 8 x 5.5 cm. In good condition. Signed at bottom right: 'Sincerely | Charles Cole | 1945'. Cole has rather disappeared under the radar.

The two typed notes in good condition, lightly aged; the autograph note in fair condition, on aged paper. Two items signed 'Bernard Miles' and one 'B. M.' The first typed note suggests an exchange of material, with the autograph postscript 'One or two of the appeals for charity are endorsed by H. I. [ Henry Irving? ] himself.' The second typed note declines a collection: 'I managed to pick up an almost complete set in Leeds soon after we talked - nearly 200'. The autograph note simply acknowledges the sending of a cheque for a 'little lot of photographs I took away'.

1p., landscape 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads, with manuscript text in square brackets: 'Royal Italian Opera, | Covent Garden. | [Madle Vestris] | Londres, [Le 6 Juin] 18[66]. | Recu de M. Gye la somme de [£40 - -] | [G Vestris | B.V, | £[40 : - : -']'.

1p., 4to. On shiny art paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with one dogeared corner. On letterhead which covers half of the page, with photograph of the pair, and text in red and black ('Presenting Comdey Cartoons and "Fashions from Rags" Dress Designing Extraordinary! Two or Three Entirely Different Comdey Spots if required introducing Monologues, Conjuring Numbers, etc. Evening Dress when required. | Special Clowning and Conjuring Act for the Children. | Road Show, Production, Panto, Variety or C.P.' The letter offers for sale 'a lot of old John Dick's "Penny" Plays'.

The collection is in fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Geall's pamphlet is 12pp., 12mo, and stapled. The only copies on OCLC WorldCat at Harvard Medical School and Cape Town. The back page carries a letter by Geall to an unnamed individual [ Marcus Adams ], dated 17 January 1954. The handbill advertisement for the Leicester Institute of Mental Science is 4pp., 12mo., on a bifolium. The other two letters, each on Geall's letterhead, are both 1p., 4to.

A total of 46pp., mostly on 4to Mtotohovu letterheads. In fair condition, aged and worn. From the Meynell family papers. In the first letter he describes his preparations for an elephant shoot on the Serengeti: 'I a taking a 400 elephant gun a 300 high velocity gun, and a shot gun. My escort consists of a gun bearer, cook, tent boy lorry driver & skinner.' Of the participants in the '"Ngoma" native dance games' he writes: 'they really were awful, covered in red & yellow clay or mud - they really did look maniacs & I am sure are more than half Savages'.

Both items in good condition, lightly-aged. ONE: 2pp., 4to. Having returned from 'a rather long painting expedition to France' he finds that 'circumstances have arisen in regard to the administration of the Society' [ the Society of British Film Art Directors and Designers, of which Craig was a leading light], and in the light of these circumstances Irving feels compelled to resign. 'It is [...] unlikely that I shall design any more films.

BThe five items in fair condition, lightly-aged, with slight rust staining from paperclip. In a difficult hand. ONE: ALS to Macqueen-Pope, 20 March 1941. On his Larkwood letterhead, with 'From Allan Aynesworth' at head. Undated. 3pp., landscape 12mo. Providing a deal of information about his association with Maude, the last page beginning: 'Friendship about 50 years. We joined the Garrick & Beefsteak Clubs where we dined together with so many of our Theatre Friends Inc. Wyndham Irving Alexander Hare & Kendal to name a few.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged paper with wear to extremities. A twenty-three line letter discussing Council business, with the last paragraph reading: 'I have to thank you on behalf of the Council for the notes which you so kindly sent in for use at the last meeting. Mr. Hornell will do a certain amount of ethnological work, but in view of your opinion and that of others on the Council as to the difficulties involved, it is not proposed to appoint anyone else for this branch.' On the reverse of the letter are pencil notes by Seligman, made while reviewing a book.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, with traces of tissue mount running along one edge. Addressed to 'My dear Lloyd'. He is sending on Mrs Hay's letter, and asks his 'intentions with regard to Lt: Col: Hay - when he left Aldershot it was understood that the Command of the 2nd. Bde. Divn. Field Artillery would be kept open for him, but now Major Hall has been appointed Hay has lost his command here'. He praises Hay as 'so good an officer & has done such good work here that I am very anxious to help him' He suggests him for another appointment at Okehampton.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The note reads: 'Dear Mr. Sparks | I am so sorry to be unable to comply with your request, being previously engaged for the 23d. inst | yours sincerely | L Alma Tadema'.

1p., 8vo. On aged and creased paper. Lily Braytonis is a 'vague relative' of his, and she sends her 'good wishes [...] a propos the Chu Chin Chow article'. She would like to 'read through the relevant proofs' and Routh sends on her address. Brayton appeared in more than 2000 performances of 'Chu Chin Chow'. For more on Routh, see his obituary in the Independent, 8 June 2008.