THEATRE

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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.

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!'

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'.

4pp., folio. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper slightly worn at head. The front page is headed 'H.R.H. Princess Christian and the Royal Members, are Patrons of a Private Farewell Matinee arrranged by Lady Romney on behalf of the Green Park Club for Mr. and Mrs. Luther Munday'. The names of twenty performers are listed beneath this, headed by Herbert Beerbohm Tree, with various other individuals named.

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 : - : -']'.

The full title reads: 'The Spirit of the Doctor; comprising Many Interesting Poems; selected from the original manuscript of the Late Mr. James Watson, Formerly Librarian of the Portico, in Manchester; and commonly called Doctor Watson. [Four-line quotation in Latin from Terence.] To which is prefixed A Lithographic Portrait of the Doctor; with a short memoir of his life: And various Anecdotes relative to Him - After, and to which are subjoined The Humors of Trim, [Two-line quotation from Sterne].;151pp [xxxvi + 51 + 64]., 8vo. Lithographic portrait of author as frontispiece.

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., 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.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged paper. Tasteful floral design to letterhead, in Art Nouveau style. His affairs have forced him to advance his departure (from Paris) by an evening, but assures him that, before the moment comes, he will have himself sought out his wigs.

Both letters 2pp., 12mo. Both in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with tape from previous mounting adhering along one edge (and in one case overlapping a few words, including the signature). The two letters concern a concert 'at the Grand Theatre on 7 January', 'entirely of Manx music', in which the recipient has agreed to sing. Having put her down for two songs, he sends her 'our Book, out of which all the items of the concert will be taken', with suggestions of two songs and three encores. The second letter gives details of the rehearsal in Fort Street.

Printed on one 12mo page of a bifolium of thick orange paper. The invitation is to a show of 'Mr. Andrew Storie's drawings of modern, mediaeval and theatrical dresses at her studio on Friday, 20th July, 1928 from 4 to 7 - (p.m. of course)'. Casson's note, in top left-hand corner, reads: 'Mr. Ian Davison kindly told me he was sure you would be very interested in Mr. Storie's work. - I do hope you can find time to come. | Jill Casson'.

1p., 12mo. On bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf to '- Ward Esqr. -'. In fair condition, on aged paper. The note reads: 'My dear Sir, | Presuming an old acquaintance, I request the favour of your presenting the enclosed to the Committee'.

11pp., 12mo. Stapled into card covers. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Covers illustrated in colour by 'T. U. P.' The front cover carries, with the title, an illustration of a maid with a duster, captioned 'BESSAY NOTHING'. Humorous in intent.

2pp., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged paper. She begins by thanking him for his 'altogether charming letter', before explaining that she and her husband 'expect to be in England about the middle of June if we escape capture by the Spaniards in [ Spanish-American War being waged ] and shall hope for the pleasure of welcoming you to "Jackwood" often'. She ends by sending her regards, along with those of 'Nat and the small sister'. The 'small sister' was Gertrude, and Jackwood was the Goodwins' mansion in Kent.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, with light signs of age. Addressed to 'My dear Percy' and headed 'Love's Strategy'. Regarding the play (which was based on Goldsmith's 'She Stoops to Conquer') Littler writes: 'I don't think the idea appeals to me very much, and I am not going to do any more productions in the West End until after Christmas.' He gives his phone number, writing that he would 'be very pleased to see you or have a word with you'. In the carbon of Nash's letter (dated 27 May 1948) he writes that he has 'not messed about with the Author.

1p., 16mo. Eleven lines of text. On aged and worn paper, with central closed tears unobtrusively repaired with archival tape. A warm letter of thanks, with valediction 'Mille choses affectueuses à tous les vôtres'.

1p., 16mo. In fair condition, on aged paper, laid down on damaged leaf from album. At head, in another hand: 'for Saturday'. Reads: 'My dear Sir: | I shd. feel greatly obliged if you could without inconvenience to yr interest, give me a box, any night this week, to see King Lear.' At head is note in another hand (see below): 'for Saturday'. From the collection of Macqueen-Pope, who has written at the foot of the leaf on which the letter is mounted: 'To Chas Kean Princess's Theatre | Note at top, either by CK or Massingham the boxoffice m[ana]g[e]r.'

Both in good condition, on aged paper. ONE: 2pp., 4to. He reminds Macqueen-Pope that two years previously he was 'kind enough to receive me at your Office and, after a long and most interesting chat on things theatrical (over an hour, as I recall!) you wrote into my copies of your "Drury Lane" and "Carriages at Eleven" two very greatly appreciated inscriptions, by way of friendship'. He now has his 'delightful "Gaiety" and splendid 'Haymarket", and asks for 'another pow-wow' at 359 Strand.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged. He begins by thanking Macqueen-Pope for a 'kindly reference' to him in his 'admirable book about The Gaiety'. He has noted a reference to 'Henly' in the index, and identifies this figure as Edward John Henley, brother of William Ernest Henley, whose poem 'Ballade of Dead Actors' he transcribes. He explains that Henley stayed some time in America after going there with a production of 'Deacon Brodie', a play by his brother and R. L. Stevenson, 'and, in 1897, I made my first production, "John Gabriel Borkman," in New York, with E. J.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks him for his 'most generous & warming letter' about his 1927 comedy 'The Fanatics'. He has not answered sooner as he was 'suddenly caught up in some very hectic & engrossing rehearsals for "Rhinoceros" at the Court Theatre'.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He thanks him for thinking of his birthday, and taking the trouble 'to bring me that sherry'. He has not yet sampled it, as 'it's a bit too hot for anything but water, just at present'. He will telephone him, as he doesn't 'feel cocksure' about his address. He ends with regards to 'Mrs George'. In pencil in another hand at head: 'Here it is, George | C.A.S.'

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper. He hopes he is not 'premature' in asking for 'a box for Richard 2d for tomorrow - Tuesday - night!' If he is not he will be 'thankful'; if he is he will 'wait patiently for a future occasion'. Kean's Richard II opened at the Princess's Theatre on 14 March 1857 and ran for 112 nights.

The sepia photographic print is 15.5 x 11.5 cm, and shows a sumptuous domestic interior, showing paintings around an ornately carved wooden doorframe, into another room, with hangings draped footstool, piano, and other accoutrements of high Victorian interior decoration. In pencil on reverse: 'The Lyric Club'. The cutting is 12 cm and forty-five lines long. It begins 'The new Lyric Club is starting on its career with every propsect of a brilliant success.

The Oxford DNB's entry on Bunn states that from 1819 to 1824 he held the lease of the Theatre Royal, Birmingham. 1p., 8vo. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to '- Perkins Esq'. In fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. Bunn begins his letter: 'My dear Sir, | The dreadful bustle attendant on producing "Waterloo" must be my apology. The Music & Manuscript are herewith sent - & not a note or a syllable of either has been copied.' He thanks 'Mr Howes for his kindness', which he offers to reciprocate, 'whenever in my power'.