SCUDAMORE

[Sir Michael Redgrave, distinguished English actor.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mr. Macdermid’, giving his reason for not wanting to join his club (not wanting to join those who are ‘known as cranks’).

Author: 
Sir Michael Redgrave [Sir Michael Scudamore] (1908-1985), English actor and head of theatrical family dynasty
Publication details: 
25 March [1944]. Garrick Theatre W.C.2. [London]. On his letterhead.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. Eighteen lines, closely written. On creased grey paper, with short closed tear at edge of central crease. The year 1944 has been added in another hand. Addressed to ‘Dear Mr. Macdermid’ and signed ‘Michael Redgrave’. He is grateful to him for the suggestion that he ‘should be an Hon. Associate Member of your Club, to which I wish every success’, but feels ‘rather strongly that I must not put my name to anything more than I can actively take part in - even if activity is confined to letter writing etc.

[Sir Michael Redgrave, distinguished English actor.] Autograph Card Signed to ‘Christopher’ [the playwright Christopher Fry], belatedly congratulating him on the success of his play 'The Lark'.

Author: 
Sir Michael Redgrave [Sir Michael Scudamore] (1908-1985), English actor and head of theatrical family dynasty Christopher Fry [born Arthur Hammond Harris] (1907-2005), English playwright]
Redgrave
Publication details: 
16 June 1955; on his letterhead.
£50.00
Redgrave

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. In good condition. 11.5 x 9 cm card, without illustration. Printed in red at head: ‘MICHAEL REDGRAVE.’ The message concerns the London production of Fry’s ‘The Lark’ (a translation of Anouilh’s ‘L’Alouette’), which opened at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, on 11 May 1955. Redgrave would star in Fry’s next play, ‘Tiger at the Gates’ (a translation of Giraudoux’s ‘La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu’), which premiered in New York on 3 October 1955.

[Henry Harper, Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘Hë Christchurch’) to Rev. T. Scudamore Cunningham of Lymm, Cheshire, describing the terms and requirements for a New Zealand curacy.

Author: 
Henry Harper [Henry John Chitty Harper] (1804-1893), Anglican cleric, successively Chaplain of Eton College, Bishop of Christchurch and Primate of New Zealand [Rev. Thomas Scudamore Cunningham]
NZ
Publication details: 
12 December 1882. On his episcopal letterhead of Bishops Court, Christchurch, and headed by him 'New Zealand'.
£180.00
NZ

Harper was the first Anglican Bishop of Christchurch and the first Primate of New Zealand, and he oversaw the building of the ill-fated cathedral at Christchurch. See his entry in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. The signature appears to read ‘Hë [for ‘Henricus’?] Christchurch’, and the letter is addressed to ‘Rev. T. Scudamore Cunningham / Lymm Cheshire’. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded twice. Fifty-seven lines of closely and neatly written text.

[Sir Charles Scudamore, celebrated physician.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Chas Scudamore') to Sir Thomas Gery Cullum of Hardwick House, discussing his writing and dire financial situation, and making a 'humiliating' appeal for the deferment of a debt.

Author: 
Sir Charles Scudamore (1779-1849), celebrated physician and medical author [Sir Thomas Gery Cullum (1777-1855) of Hardwick House]
Publication details: 
28 December 1833; Wimpole Street [London].
£250.00

Scudamore's entry in the Oxford DNB does not refer to the financial difficulties which he describes in this interesting letter, surprising in the light of his royal patronage and success as an author. 3pp, 4to. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf, with postmark and seal in black wax, to 'The | Revd. Sir Thomas Cullum | Bart | Hardwick House | Bury St Edmunds'. Forwarded, in another hand, to 'Sir T G C | No 3 | Porto del Popolo | Rome'. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor trace of mount adhering. Folded four times.

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