THE

[John Philip Newman, Chaplain of the United States Senate.] Autograph Signature of ‘John P. Newman / Chaplain of the Senate.’

Author: 
John P. Newman [John Philip Newman] (1826-1899), Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church of America, Chaplain of the United States Senate
Publication details: 
17 August 1869. [Washington, D.C.]
£50.00

In addition to his pastoral duties, Newman was a noted orator and lecturer. In 1870 eleven thousand people crammed into the Salt Lake City Tabernacle, to hear him debate the question of polygamy with Orson Pratt, and transcripts of the debate were carried throughout the American papers. On a 14 x 7 cm slip of wove paper. The reverse bears traces of glue from its display in an album, and there is slight loss and a short closed tear at the foot from its removal. The signature and text are firm and clear: ‘John P. Newman / Chaplain of the Senate. / Aug 17 - / 69.’

[American War of Independence.] Three original hand-tinted engravings: portraits of ‘The Honble Horatio Gates, Major General of the American Forces’ and ‘John Paul Jones’, and ‘First Action between the English and Americans at Concord in 1775’.

Author: 
American War of Independence; Horatio Gates; John Paul Jones; Battle of Concord, Massachusetts, 1775; John Chapman; James Cundee; Robert Faulder, London bookseller
Publication details: 
[1780, 1796 and 1806; all London.]
£150.00

Three contemporary engravings, now scarce. All three items are in good condition, each laid down in a nineteenth-century mount. All have been trimmed (the information concerning each comes from another source), and all are partially tinted. ONE: ‘The Honble Horatio Gates, Major General of the American Forces’. From ‘An impartial history of the war in America, between Great Britain and her colonies’ (R. Faulder, London, 1780). 9 x 16 cm; in 21 x 27 cm mount. A full-length portrait of Gates, with right hand on chest and left hand holding the ‘Articles of Capitulation’.

[Colonel F. E. G. Skey of the Royal Engineers.] Offprint of his obituary by ‘C. F. A.-C.’, with full-page portrait, from the Royal Engineers Journal; together with manuscript map of ‘SKEY TRENCH / near PONT FIXE’ (Battle of Loos, First World War).

Author: 
Colonel F. E. G. Skey [Frederic Edward Guthrie Skey] (1864-1944), first secretary and Treasurer of Institution of Royal Engineers, editor of Royal Engineers Journal [Battle of Loos, First World War]
Publication details: 
Offprint ‘Reprinted from The Royal Engineers Journal - March, 1945’ (London). Undated pencil sketch of Skey Trench, Battle of Loos, 1915.
£80.00

Scarce: no copies on WorldCat or JISC. 2pp, 8vo, paginated 1-2, with photographic portrait of ‘Colonel F. E. G. SKEY’ on art paper facing the first page. In grey wraps with printed title on front cover ‘Memoir / OF / COLONEL F. E. G. SKEY.’ In fair condition, lightly worn and aged, with two vertical creases. Describing Skey’s active career, the obituarist begins by noting that ‘It is not given to everyone to work as late in life as Skey did.’ Skey had been ‘promoted Colonel in 1912 and retirned in March, 1914, having been offered the Secretaryship of the R. E.

[Oxford degrees to J. M. Barrie, Ethel Smyth, Sir Henry Newbolt, Lord Dawson of Penn.] Material printed by the Clarendon Press relating to ‘Convocation / Encaenia, June 23, 1926 / The Right Hon. George, Viscount Cave, Chancellor / Presiding’.

Author: 
[Clarendon Press; Oxford University Press; John Johnson, Printer to the University; J. M. Barrie; Ethel Smyth; Sir Henry Newbolt; Lord Dawson of Penn]
Publication details: 
The University of Oxford, 1926. Oxford: John Johnson / Printer to the University.
£120.00

Material which, by its very nature, is extremely uncommon. Five items, three of them beautifully printed with the Fell Types. From the papers of King George V’s doctor Lord Dawson of Penn (see his entry in the Oxford DNB). Among those to whom degrees are conferred (all of whom receive the customary praise in florid Latin) are J. M. Barrie, Sir Henry Newbold, Dame Ethel Smity, Sir Austen Chamberlain and the Speaker of the Commons John Henry Whitley. The first three are printed with the Fell Types, and the first two and the fifth carry Johnson’s slug.

[World War One.] Handbill with ornate coloured decorative border, headed ‘ROLL OF HONOUR’, intended for ‘A Record of Friends and Relatives who answered the call of King and Country in the Great War: 1914-1915.’

Author: 
[World War One] Geo. Newnes Limited, London; Hudson & Kearns Limited, lithographic printers
Publication details: 
Circa 1915 or 1916. ‘Published by Geo. Newnes Ltd., Southampton St. Strand [London]’. Printer: ‘Hudson & Kearns, Ltd., London, Litho, London, S.E.’
£100.00

A nice piece of First World War ephemera, from the period of transition from volunteering to conscription. Newnes was a leading British publisher of the period, and the present item may have been inserted in one of its periodicals, which included ‘The Strand Magazine’, ‘Women’s Own’ and ‘John O’London’s Weekly’. It is printed on a leaf of good quality cream 4to wove paper, and was intended for completion. In fair condition, lightly aged, with light wear and creasing to extremities.

[Oxford degrees to J. M. Barrie, Ethel Smyth, Sir Henry Newbolt, Lord Dawson of Penn.] Material printed by the Clarendon Press relating to ‘Convocation / Encaenia, June 23, 1926 / The Right Hon. George, Viscount Cave, Chancellor / Presiding’.

Author: 
[Clarendon Press; Oxford University Press; John Johnson, Printer to the University; J. M. Barrie; Ethel Smyth; Sir Henry Newbolt; Lord Dawson of Penn]
Publication details: 
The University of Oxford, 1926. Oxford: John Johnson / Printer to the University.
£100.00

Material which, by its very nature, is extremely uncommon. Three items, two of which are beautifully printed with the Fell Types. Duplicates from the papers of King George V’s doctor Lord Dawson of Penn (see his entry in the Oxford DNB). Among those to whom degrees are conferred (all of whom receive the customary praise in florid Latin) are J. M. Barrie, Sir Henry Newbold, Dame Ethel Smythe, Sir Austen Chamberlain and the Speaker of the Commons John Henry Whitley. The first three are printed with the Fell Types, and the first two and the fifth carry Johnson’s slug.

[William Frere, Master of Downing College, Cambridge.] Autograph Letter Signed to Captain Munby, ‘respecting a house at Yarmouth’.

Author: 
William Frere (1775-1836), Master of Downing College, Cambridge, jurist and editor
Publication details: 
Sergeant’s Inn [London], 7 February [paper watermarked 1819].
£50.00

2pp, 4to. Bifolium, annotated on second leaf ‘Mr Sargt. Frere’. Watermark: ‘STAINS & CO | 1819’. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded for postage. Addressed to ‘Captain Munby &c &c’, and signed ‘William Frere’. He apologises for not answering sooner ‘the communications I have been honored with from you respecting a house at Yarmouth’. He has been in London, where he has suffered ‘some uncertainty as to accepting or declining the offer’.

[J. W. Robertson Scott, journalist and author on rural affairs, founding editor of ‘The Countryman’.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Walters’ [John Cuming Walters (1863-1933], speculating whether the Birmingham Daily Gazette is ‘into Radical hands’.

Author: 
J. W. Robertson Scott [John William Robertson Scott] (1866-1962), English journalist and author on rural affairs, founding editor of ‘The Countryman’ [Birmingham Daily Gazette; H. J. Palmer]
Publication details: 
13 January 1888. Acocks Green, Birmingham.
£56.00

An interesting letter casting light on the Victorian provincial press. Scott’s entry in the Oxford DNB states that, while he was living in Birmingham, ‘H. J. Palmer offered him a staff appointment on the Birmingham Gazette; but he had to leave when he stipulated that, as a Liberal, he should write nothing in support of the Conservative cause. He was working again as a freelance when, in 1887, he was invited by W. T. Stead to join him on the Pall Mall Gazette. He worked for six years on that paper under Stead and then Edward T. Cook.’ 4pp, 12mo. On bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged.

[John Bacon [John Collingwood Bacon; Brontes, English artist.] Long Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Miss Sprott’, making detailed and percipient criticisms of four books on the Bronte sisters that she has lent him.

Author: 
John Bacon [John Collingwood Bacon] (1882-1950), English artist [the Bronte sisters]
Publication details: 
17 December 1947, with postscript of 2 January 1948; The Distaff Cottages, Newport, Essex.
£180.00

6pp, 12mo, on two bioliums. A long letter, neatly and closely written. In stamped envelope, with stamps and postmark, addressed to ‘Miss Sprott / Magavelda / Blakeney / Holt [Norfolk]’ and signed ‘John Bacon’. The letter and envelope are in fair condition, on slightly discoloured paper and with short closed tears along the folds made for postage. He begins: ‘Dear Miss Sprott.

[Charles Richard Weld, author.] Printed notice of the election of ‘the Council and Officers of the Royal Society’ and ensuing dinner, signed by Weld, and addressed by him to W. Vaughan. With the Society’s seal in red wax.

Author: 
Charles Richard Weld (1813-1869), historian of the Royal Society, London [William Vaughan (1752-1850), West Indian slave owner and co-founder of West India Dock, London]
Publication details: 
‘From the Apartments of the Royal Society [in Somerset Place, Strand], November 21st. 1844’.
£90.00

Weld and Vaughan both have entries in the Oxford DNB. The notice is printed in copperplate on the recto of the first leaf of a 4to bifolium. In fair condition, aged and lightly worn, with short closed tear to one edge, and slight damage to the second leaf from the cutting of the seal, which is present on the verso, with a good impression, in red wax, together with two postmarks and the address, in Weld’s hand, to ‘W. Vaughan Esq - [F.R.S.] / 70 Fenchurch Street / [Royal Society.]’ The notice, signed ‘C. R.

[Isaac Watts.] Printed pamphlet: ‘The End of Time. / An Extract from Dr. Isaac Watts.’

Author: 
Isaac Watts (1674-1748), English Congregational minister, hymnologist (‘Godfather of English Hymnody’), theologian, and logician
Watts
Publication details: 
No date. ‘No. 4.’ The Religious Tract Society, instituted 1799, 56, Paternoster Row; and 65, St. Paul’s Churchyard. Printed by William Clowes and Sons, Duke street, Lambeth.
£120.00
Watts

Four copies on JISC (only one in a deposit library, NLS); now scarce. 12pp, 12mo. Disbound. Worn and discoloured. After the end of the prose work are two poems (pp.11-12): ‘Hymn. / Frail Life and Succeeding Eternity’ and ‘The Danger of Delay.’ In addition to being the ‘Godfather of English Hymnody’, Watts was a noted logician, producing a successful work on the subject, and despite the repetition of the phrase ‘Time shall end!’ throughout, the present extract treats the subject of ‘The End of Time’ in an unusually thoughtful way for a work of theology.

[Henry Williamson, novelist and naturalist, author of ‘Tarka the Otter’.] Seven items from Williamson family papers, relating to his ‘Proposed residence at Ox’s Cross’, including architectural plans and sketch and copy of letter from builder.

Author: 
Henry Williamson (1895-1977), English novelist, naturalist and ruralist, best-known for his book ‘Tarka the Otter’ [A. J. Dennis, Devon architect]
Publication details: 
Letter from the architect A. J. Dennis dated 6 April 1973. Architect's sketch dated February 1973.
£320.00

From the Williamson family papers. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The material is in fair condition, lightly aged and creased. In a card folder on which is written by Williamson’s son Richard ‘PLANS for House for Ox’s Cross - DENNIS (builder) 1973 / Plans of Cottage. / See Schwabe’s original plans.’ ONE: Typed Letter Signed from A. J. Dennis to Williamson at 4 Capstone Place, Ilfracombe. 2pp, 4to. Headed in brown felt-tip ‘Copy’, but certainly with Dennis’s genuine signature. Much of the text underlined in red felt-tip.

[W. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian and broadcaster, and Drury Lane press agent.] Fifteen Typed Newspaper Articles [for the magazine 'Everybody's'] giving weekly news of 'The London Theatre', with newspaper cuttings, TLS from editor Greville Poke.

Author: 
W. Macqueen-Pope [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, ‘Popie’] (1888-1960), theatre historian, broadcaster and journalist, archivist and Drury Lane press agent [Greville Poke, editor, Everybody's magazine]
Publication details: 
One of the articles from December 1948; two from November and December 1951 (with two drafts of the second of these); and the other twelve articles from between January to March 1957. ['Everybody's' magazine, Fleet Street, London.]
£450.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Known by his nickname ‘Popie’, Macqueen-Pope was widely regarded as the leading theatre historian of his day. His many books (from histories of individual theatres to a biography of Ivor Novello) sold well, and his broadcasts on the BBC were extremely popular. Eighteen items, providing something a glimpse of his working methods. The last two of the eighteen items are TLsS to MP: one from the editor of ‘Everybody's’ Greville Poke (also see his Oxford DNB entry), and the other Pauline Carter, ‘EDITORIAL’.

[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.] Carbon of Typed BBC script of ‘2nd Broadcast’ in the series ‘Theatre Songs and Stories / by / W. Macqueen-Pope’, on the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Author: 
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and its historian, W. Macqueen-Pope [Walter James Macqueen-Pope] (1888-1960) [BBC Radio]
Publication details: 
Undated, but shortly after the death of Ivor Novello on 6 March 1951. [BBC Radio, London.]
£120.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. His entry in the Oxford DNB describes how, in the 1950s, he was ‘in demand as a lecturer on the theatrical subjects he loved, and he appeared often in the same capacity on radio and on television. Ironically he regarded these two forms of public entertainment, and television in particular, as representing a serious threat to the survival of theatre, about which he cared passionately’.

[Tyrone Power I, celebrated Irish actor.] Seven items: two drafts of Typed Article on him for 'Everybody's' magazine by theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, with page proof of the same, and related correspondence and other items.

Author: 
Tyrone Power I [William Grattan Tyrone Power] (1797-1841), celebrated Irish actor, great-grandfather of the eponymous film star [W. Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
Seven items, all dating from 1950. [‘Everybody’s’, magazine, 114 Fleet Street, London.]
£120.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See his entry, and that of Power, in the Oxford DNB. The seven items are in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Typed article titled ‘The Other Tyrone Power / by / W. Macqueen-Pope.’ Undated. 11pp, 4to, paginated 1-9, with two-page ‘Inset’. With a few minor autograph emendations. Begins: ‘At the present moment, Mr Tyrone Power, “in person”, is appearing at the London Coliseum in a play called “Mr Roberts”.

[Reginald Denham, English actor, writer and Broadway director.] Four chatty Autograph Letters Signed to the theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, with carbon of a reply by MP, and two associated items from other parties.

Author: 
Reginald Denham (1894-1983), English actor, writer and Broadway director [W. Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
One of Denham’s letters dated 8 June 1951; the others without year but from the same time. All four from 100 Central Park South, New York 19. Macqueen-Pope’s letter dated 5 October 1951; 359 Strand, WC2 [London]. The other two items also from 1951.
£135.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) The seven items are in good condition, though one of Denham’s letters has slight wear to one edge. All date from the same period. The four Denham letters total 5pp, foolscap 8vo; three are signed ‘Reg’ and the other ‘Reginald’; two are on his letterhead. The fully-dated Denham letter (8 June 1951) is the longest at 2pp, 8vo. Addressed to ‘My dear Mac’, he gives details of a visit he is paying to England to settle his late mother’s affairs (‘She was 83.’) He is also going to ‘confer with Edward Percy.

[Sir Gerald du Maurier, actor-manager.] Typed Note Signed, as President of the Actors’ Orphanage, thanking the actor Frank Arlton for his ‘splendid efforts at the Garden party’.

Author: 
Sir Gerald du Maurier [Sir Gerald Hubert Edward Busson du Maurier] (1873-1934), English actor-manager [Frank Arlton (1863-1948), stage and screen actor; The Actors’ Orphanage, Langley, Bucks]
Publication details: 
15 June 1933. On letterhead of The Actors’ Orphanage, Langley Hall, Langley, Bucks.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. Signed (‘With reiterated thanks’) ‘Gerald du Maurier’, with ‘President’ typed beneath. The letterhead is printed in black and green, with details of officers and committee members. On aged and creased paper, with closed tears and nicks to edges. Folded three times for postage. He asks him to accept his ‘most grateful thanks for your splendid efforts at the Garden Party’. He understands the ‘new show’ which Arlton ‘put in this year’ has proved ‘very popular’.

[‘Suzette Tarri’, music hall comedienne.] Typed Letter Signed to P. W. Kerby and Typed Letter (signed on her behalf by her husband David Jenkins) to ‘Mr. Horsfield’, regarding bookings, with Autograph Letter Signed to W. Macqueen-Pope from Jenkins.

Author: 
Suzette Tarri [stage name of Ada Barbara Harriett Tarry (1881-1955), music hall and 'radio comedienne'; her husband and accompanist David Edmund Jenkins [W. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian]
Publication details: 
ONE (ST to Kerby): 23 January 1944; her Southgate letterhead. TWO (ST to Horsfield): 29 March [no year]. THREE (Jenkins to Macqueen-Pope): 23 June 1950; different Southgate letterhead.
£100.00

From the papers of theatre historian Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960). (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) The three items are in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Her two letters are pinned together. The letter to Kerby has the large and firm signature ‘Suzette Tarri’; the letter to Horsfield is evidently signed ‘Suzette Terri’ on her behalf by her husband. ONE (ST to P. W. Kerby): 23 January 1944. Letterhead of ‘“Suda” / 25 Manor Drive, Southgate, N. 14’ (‘SUZETTE TARRI / RADIO COMEDIENNE / WITH / DAVID JENKINS / THE POPULAR PIANIST-VOCALIST’). 1p, 4to.

[Michel Kovatchévitch [Kovatchevitch], Paris-based Slav actor and author.] Typed Letter Signed, in French [to English theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope], requesting information for his book on the Anglo-American black actor Frederick Aldridge.

Author: 
Michel Kovatchévitch [Kovatchevitch] (1891-1961), Paris-based Slav actor and writer in French on the theatre [W. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian; Ira Frederick Aldridge, Anglo-American black actor]
Publication details: 
4 May 1956; on his letterhead, 36 Rue de la Clef, Paris.
£120.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) 2pp, 4to. Signed ‘Michel Kovatchévitch’. On aged and worn paper. Folded twice for postage, with closed tears at edges of vertical fold, and nicks and creasing along one edge. He is working on a biography of Frederick Aldridge, ‘tragédien noir de langue anglaise (1807-1867)’, and asks for help in establishing the date of his debut, ‘dans le rôle d’Othello, au Royalty Theatre’.

[Archduke Charles, Duke of Teschen, Austrian Field Marshal.] Unpublished manuscript of English translations from his ‘Principles of Strategy illustrated by the representation of the Campaign of 1796 in Germany’ (‘Grundsätze der Strategie’).

Author: 
Erzherzog Karl [The Archduke Charles, Duke of Teschen] (1771-1847), Austrian Field Marshal, the first man to defeat Napoleon [Carl Ludwig Johann Joseph Laurentius von Österreich, Herzog von Teschen]
Publication details: 
In seven notebooks, none with place or date. [English or American? Early Victorian?]
£950.00

In 1809, at the Battle of Aspern, the author of this work, the Archduke Charles, became the first man to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1814 his ‘Grundsätze der Strategie, erläutert durch die Darstellung des Feldzuges von 1796 in Deutschland’ was published in three volumes in Vienna. A French translation appeared in 1841, but there is no record of an English one (although JISC does throw up a work with a similar title published by ‘A Kearsey’ in 1928, the only copy it lists being in the National Army Museum).

[Leslie C. Staples, Charles Dickens scholar, for many years editor of The Dickensian.] Autograph Note Signed, thanking theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope for a ‘truly wonderful afternoon’.

Author: 
Leslie C. Staples [Leslie Cyril Staples], Charles Dickens scholar, for many years editor of The Dickensian, and founder of the Uncommercial Travellers’ Club [W. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian]
Publication details: 
11 June 1952; on letterhead of The Dickensian, The Dickens House (‘The Magazine of the Dickens Fellowship’), 48 Doughty Street, London WC1.
£25.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) 1p, 12mo. Signed ‘Leslie C Staples’. In fair condition, lightly aged, with some creasing to corners. Folded twice for postage. Presumably written following a meeting of the Fellowship at Drury Lane, where MP was press officer. ‘My dear Popie / I cannot say how grateful we all are for the truly wonderful afternoon you gave us yesterday. A million thanks’.

[Hannen Swaffer, Fleet Street journalist and spiritualist.] Typed Letter Signed to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, with carbon of the reply, regarding the music hall artiste Belle Bilton, who became Lady Dunlo.

Author: 
Hannen Swaffer [Frederic Charles Hannen Swaffer] (1879-1962), Fleet Street journalist and spiritualist [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian; Belle Bilton, music hall artiste [Lady Dunlo]]
Publication details: 
Swaffer’s letter: 9 May 1951; 8 St Martin’s Place, Trafalgar Square, WC2 [London]. Carbon of Macqueen-Pope’s letter: 11 May 1951; 359 Strand, WC2 [London].
£45.00

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. From the Macqueen-Pope papers. Each item in good condition, lightly aged, with creasing and rust staining to one corner from a paperclip. ONE: Swaffer to MP. TLS, signed ‘Swaff’. 1p, 4to. ‘Dear Popey, / Do you know anything about this woman? [From the context he is sending MP an enquiry he has received from ‘Mr. Le Poer Trench’] I presume she was a legitimate actress.

[‘Britain's first recorded broadcast comedian’.] Autograph Letter Signed and Typed Letter Signed from Helena Millais to W. Macqueen-Pope, with printed press release for her show ‘Songs and Laughter’.

Author: 
Helena Millais [stage name of Helena Catherine Marriott] (1886-1970), Britain's first recorded broadcast comedian, actress and writer.
Publication details: 
TLS: 8 August 1957. ALS: 14 August 1959. Both from 5 Riverview Gardens, Barnes, SW13 [London].
£150.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) On 20 October 1922 Millais broadcast on 2LO radio, becoming the first comedian on what was later to become the BBC. In a performance on 21 November 1922 she became the third entertainer to appear on the week-old BBC. All three items in good condition, lightly aged, though the autograph letter has pin holes to a corner, and the typed letter rust from a paperclip. Both letters signed ‘Helena Millais’. ONE: TLS. 3pp, 12mo. Having met him ‘at various C.A.A. evenings, she asks him for advice about several books.

[Clan Chattan Association.] Autograph Letter Signed from the editor of its journal, Murdoch Macintosh, to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, discussing the Macqueen family in Scotland and his own wartime service.

Author: 
Clan Chattan Association: Murdoch Macintosh, F.S.A. Scot., editor of its journal [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
3 May 1952; on letterhead of the Clan Chattan Association, The Castle, Inverness, Scotland.
£80.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) The Clan Chattan Association is a confederation of highland clans. 2pp, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged, with slight creasing to one corner, and rust staining from paperclip. Folded twice for postage. Addressed to MP’s London address in Coventry Street. ‘I’ve heard about your James MacQueen. His name appears in quite a few locally published papers &c. on Culloden. His new teeth are quite famous up here.’ He accepts the proposal for an article: ‘if you could go to 900-1000 words I’d be happy’.

[Donovan Maule, English actor and theatre director.] Autograph Letter Signed to W. Macqueen-Pope, describing difficulties in establishing ‘the first professional theatre’ in Kenya, and discussing MP’s book on the Haymarket. With carbon of reply.

Author: 
Donovan Maule (1899-1982), British actor and theatre director, husband of actress Mollie Shiells [Donovan Maule Theatre, Nairobi, Kenya; W. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian]
Publication details: 
Maule’s letter: 10 September 1949; from ‘Kenya Colony, / British East Africa’, on letterhead of The Donovan Maule Players, Nairobi. Carbon of Macqueen-Pope’s reply: 15 September 1949; 359 Strand, WC2 [London].
£50.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) Both items in fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Pinned together. ONE: DM to MP. Signed ‘Mollie and Donovan Maule. / (Mollie Shiells)’, but the husband is clearly the author. 1p, 4to. Folded twice for postage. He thanks him for his ‘inspiring book’ on the Haymarket Theatre. ‘My wife and I (both ex-Haymarket artists) feel inseminated ith fresh optimism and jope while battling with the municipal authorities and Kenya Government to establish the first professional theatre ever known here.

[George E. Dunn, author and editor.] Autograph Letter Signed to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, discussing the perils of the proof-reading process, with reminiscences.

Author: 
George E. Dunn, author and editor [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
5 July [year?]. Three Corners, Watledge, Gloucestershire.
£65.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) 2pp, foolscap 8vo. In fair condition, lightly-aged, with creasing at head, which is annotated by MP ‘(author)’. After thanking him for his letter he writes: ‘It is fatal to have a book published without seeing a proof. In my “G[ilbert] & S[ullivan] Dictionary” I had occasion to mention “The Yeomen of the Guard” 14 times. The comp[ositor], aided by the reader, deliberately channged them to “Yeoman”.

[‘Compo’ in ‘Last of the Summer Wine’.] Typed Letter Signed from the actor Bill Owen to the theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, asking for advice on a script he wishes to write about Dan Leno.

Author: 
Bill Owen [William John Owen Rowbotham (1914-1999)], English actor and songwriter, best-known for playing ‘Compo’ in the BBC TV series ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ [W. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian]
Publication details: 
15 April 1953; on letterhead of Lavender Lodge, Maidenhead Court, Maidenhead.
£45.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) 1p, 16mo. Signed ‘Bill Owen’. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Hailing him as ‘the greatest living authority on British Theatre’, he asks for advice. ‘My job is acting, and it has always been an ambition of mine to portray the life of Dan Leno, either on film or TV.

[Dame Sybil Thorndike, distinguished English actress.] Autograph Letter Signed [to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope], agreeing to do something for the memory of ‘our beloved Ivor’ [i.e. Ivor Novello].

Author: 
Sybil Thorndike [Dame Agnes Sybil Thorndike] (1882-1976), distinguished English actress, wife of Sir Lewis Casson [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian; Ivor Novello]
Publication details: 
No date [1952?]: ‘Haymarket [Haymarket Theatre, London] Thursday night’.
£45.00

From the papers of the evident recipient, theatre historian Walter James Macqueen-Pope. See his entry, and hers and her husband’s, in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. Large bold signature ‘Sybil’. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded once for postage. The letter almost certainly relates to the unveiling ceremony of the Ivor Novello Memorial at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 2 May 1952. The bust, by Clemence Dane, was unveiled by Thorndike with the reading of a poem by Mary Ellis. The preent item reads: ‘My dear. Of course I[’]ll do anything you want me to do for our beloved Ivor.

[The Refectory Club, Mayfair, London.] Three items of club ephemera: publicity booklet, application form and notice. With Typed Letter Signd from club secretary David Mallett, regarding theatre historian Maqueen-Pope’s desire to become a member.

Author: 
The Refectory Club, Mayfair, London; David Mallett, Secretary [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian; Anna Zinkeisen (1901-1976), Scottish painter]
Publication details: 
Mallett’s letter dated 4 October 1955; on letterhead of The Refectory Club, 10 Tilney Street, Park Lane, W1 [London]. The other three items undated, but slighty earlier in date.
£180.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) Interesting London ephemera: the plans for the Refectory Club were clearly ambitious, but there is little to be gleaned about it, and it is unclear whether it even opened. Zinkeisen and her sister Dora are the subject of a 2022 monograph by Philip Kelleway, Emma Roodhouse and Nicola Evans. The four items in good condition, lightly aged, but with rust staining from a paperclip. Folded for postage. ONE: Typed Letter to MP, signed ‘D Mallett’ (but with ‘For Secretary’ typed beneath this). 1p, 4to.

[Sir Geoffrey Harmsworth, journalist, nephew of Lords Northcliffe and Rothermere.] Three Typed Letters Signed to theatre historian W. J. Maqueen-Pope, discussing his family and asking for information for a biography he is writing of Northcliffe.

Author: 
Sir Geoffrey Harmsworth [Arthur Geoffrey Annesley Harmsworth] (1904-1980), journalist and member of Fleet Street dynasty, nephew of Lords Northcliffe and Rothermere [Walter James Macqueen-Pope]
Publication details: 
9 August, 3 October and 31 December 1951. The first on letterhead of the Harmsworth Press Limited, 8 Stratton Street, London, W1; the other two on letterhead of 8 Stratton Street, with second cancelled in favour of Thorpe Hall, Louth, Lincolnshire.
£80.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See MP’s entry and those of various members of the Harmsworth family in the Oxford DNB. The three items are in good condition, lightly aged, with the first with rust staining from paperclip, and all three folded twice. Each signed ‘Geoffrey Harmsworth’. ONE: 9 August 1951. 1p, 8v. He doubts whether MP will remember their previous meeting. He is ‘engaged on a full-length Life of Northcliffe’ (written with Reginald Pound, and appearing in 1959), and is having to do ‘much digging to find out information about the early days’.

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