THEATRE

[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”.

[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.

[Drury Lane Ghost.] Carbon of typewritten letter from W. Macqueen-Pope to Jack Todd of New York, giving an account of the ghost at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, which he has seen ‘on very many occasions’, and of his own association with the place.

Author: 
Drury Lane Ghost [Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London; Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
16 December 1957. [London.]
£120.00

From the papers of theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, who was for more than twenty years press representative for Drury Lane. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) The recipient is given by MP as ‘Jack Todd Esq / 446, Dimmick Street, Waterton, New York’. 2pp, 4to. 59 lines of text, single-spaced. An unsigned carbon copy, in fair condition, on lightly-aged and creasted cartridge paper.

[Guido Orlando, Italian-American press agent.] Copy of Typed Article on Orlando by W. Macqueen-Pope titled ‘“Enfant Terrible” of Public Relations’, with TLS to MP from Sidney Gordon of ‘Everybody’s’ magazine, rejecting the article as too scandalous.

Author: 
[Guido Orlando (1906-1988), Italian-American press agent.] Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian and journalist; Sidney Gordon, journalist with ‘Everybody’s’ magazine
Publication details: 
Gordon’s letter to Macqueen-Pope is dated 28 December 1950; on letterhead of ‘Everybody’s’, 114 Fleet Street, London, EC4. Macqueen-Pope’s article without date or place, but contemporaneous.
£125.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) The subject of MP’s article is the press agent and publicist Guido Orlando who came to the United States from Italy with his family in 1917. (MP may have come into contact with Orlando in his own position as press agent for Drury Lane and other theatres.) He was most active in Hollywood from the 1930s to 1960s. His papers are in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Margaret Herrick Library.

[‘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.

[‘Ralom and Rosa’, English clown routine.] Typed Letter Signed from ‘Rosa’ to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, singing the praises of their act, and threatening to leave for the continent if they cannot find ‘the right recognition’ in England.

Author: 
‘Ralom and Rosa’, English clowns (‘International Comedy Musicans with Concertinas & Piano’) [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
16 December 1956; on letterhead of ‘International Comedy Musicans with Concertinas & Piano / Clown / Ralom and Rosa’, 29 Hibbert Road, Leyton, London E17.
£120.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) 1p, 4to. On light-blue paper, with letterhead in dark-blue and red. Signed ‘Ralom’, with ‘RALOM & ROSA’ typed beneath. In good condition, lightly aged. Writing to MP at the Evening News, London. ‘There has [sic] been quite a few remarks passed by critics of the “paucity” of Acts in the Variety profession.

[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.

[Sir Donald Wolfit, Shakespearian actor-manager.] Typed Letter Signed to W. J. Macqueen-Pope regarding the success of his Shakespeare tour; with carbon TL of MP’s reply, giving a synopsis of his planned play about Edmund Kean, with Wolfit to star.

Author: 
Sir Donald Wolfit [formerly Woolfitt] (1902-1968), English Shakespearian actor-manager; Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian [Edmund Kean (1787-1833), actor]
Publication details: 
Wolfit’s TLS: 25 February 1943; on letterhead of ‘Donald Wolfit / Shakespeare Tour’, with typed current address Wharfenden House, Frimley Green. Carbon TL of MP’s response, 26 February 1943.
£56.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. Ronald Harwood’s play and film ‘The Dresser’ are based on his experiences working in that position for Wolfit. From the Macqueen-Pope archive. The two items lightly aged and in fair condition, the first with a little rust spotting to one corner from a paperclip. In Item Two MP describes in detail his plans for a play about the nineteenth-century actor Edmund Kean, with Wolfit clearly envisaged in the leading role.

[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’.

[Sir John Gielgud, distinguished English actor.] Typed Letter Signed to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope, regarding the press night of his RSC production at London's Phoenix Theatre of ‘Much Ado about Nothing’.

Author: 
Sir John Gielgud [Arthur John Gielgud] (1904-2000), distinguished English actor and theatre director, whose career spanned eight decades [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
12 January 1952; from the Phoenix Theatre, WC2 [London], on his letterhead.
£45.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. The present item relates to the 1952 RSC production of ‘Much Ado about Nothing’, directed by Gielgud and with him playing Benedick. 1p, landscape 8vo. Red-ink letterhead ‘JOHN GIELGUD’. Signed ‘John Gielgud’ and addressed to ‘Dear Popie’. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded twice. He thanks him for his ‘good wishes and thought of me.

[Ernest Lauri, Australian actor and singer, ‘The Singing Anzac’.] Autograph Letter Signed [to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope], requesting tickets, as an Australian theatre correspondent, to the London production of South Pacific.

Author: 
Ernest Lauri (1891-1977), Australian actor and singer, ‘The Singing Anzac’ [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, English theatre historian]
Publication details: 
2 April 1952; from an hotel in Paris, on letterhead of ‘Ernest Lauri / (The Singing Anzac)’.
£80.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) 1p, 4to. Aged and creased, on discoloured high-acidity paper. Folded twice for postage, and with closed tear at head of vertical fold. Slight damage and rust staining from removal of staple. The letterhead incorporates two photographic portraits of Lauri, with press comment from ‘Everyone’s Magazine’ and career resume beginning: ‘Ernest Lauri / (The Singing Anzac) / STARRED IN AUSTRALIAN PICTURES / Versatile Vocalist and Monologist’. Macqueen-Pope is not named, but is presumably the recipient.

[Finlay Dunn, one of the first of the ‘stand-up comedians’.] Autograph Original Rhymed Poem about himself [sent to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope], with reproduction of photographic portrait of him affixed.

Author: 
Finlay Dunn (fl. 1917), British entertainer, manager and stage director, one of the first ‘stand-up comedians’ [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian]
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£100.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers, and evidently received by him. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) Of Dunn an online source states: ‘On the 10th of November 1917, the Stage Gossip feature in the Yorkshire Evening Post recounted the career of Finlay Dunn, a stage actor. According to the report, Dunn performed as what he refers to as a stand-up comedian.

[H. F. Maltby [Henry Francis Maltby], playwright and actor on stage and screen.] Typed Letter Signed to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, giving reminiscences of his visit to the tomb of ‘Maggoty’ Johnson, and visits to London theatre productions.

Author: 
H. F. Maltby [Henry Francis Maltby] (1880-1963), playwright and actor on stage and screen [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian]
Publication details: 
8 December 1948; on his letterhead, 62 Langdale Gardens, Hove, Sussex.
£56.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 4to. Sixty lines of text. Aged and worn, but entirely legible. Signed ‘H. F. Maltby’ and addressed to ‘My dear Pope’. Most of the letter concerns the tomb of ‘Maggoty’ Johnson: ‘I first met that interesting old gentleman over forty years ago, when I was playing at the Theatre Royal Macclesfield with the late Mrs Bandman-Palmer. It was my landlady who advised me to visit the tomb as one of the objects of interest in the place.

[Basil Ashmore and the Amersham Repertory Players.] Typed Letter Signed introducing himself to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, with accompanying duplicated set of typed press notices, and carbon of MP’s reply.

Author: 
Basil Ashmore [Basil Norton Ashmore] (1915-1998), British stage and music director; Michael Powell; Sir Michael Balcon; George Jessel; Amersham Repertory Players [Walter James Macqueen Pope]
Publication details: 
ONE: BA’s letter, 10 January 1956, 20 Parkfield Ave, Amersham, Bucks, on letterhead of Amersham Repertory Players. TWO: BA’s press notices, undated. THREE. Carbon of MP TL in reply, 12 January 1956.
£90.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The three items are in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The first has slight wear to one edge, the second and third are pinned together. ONE: BA to MP, 10 January 1956. 1p, 4to. Folded for postage. Begins: ‘I wonder if I may introduce myself by means of the enclosed press notices? I am also noted in Whos Who in the Theatre and have letters of personal recommendation from Sir Desmond MacCarthy, Sir Beverley Baxter, J. C.

[Dorothy Tutin [Dame Dorothy Tutin], Shakespearian actress.] Autograph Card Signed to W. J. Macqueen-Pope, with typed article by him (‘Star in Spite of Herself’), his typed interview notes, and carbon of typed letter from him to Sir Andrew Caird.

Author: 
Dorothy Tutin [Dame Dorothy Tutin] (1930-2001), English Shakespearian actress [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960); Sir Andrew Caird of Lord Northcliffe’s Associated Newspapers; RADA]
Publication details: 
ONE: Her ACS to MP, from Wyndham’s Theatre, postmarked London, 6 October 1953. TWO: Copy of TL from MP to Caird, 13 October 1953. The other two items without date or place, but contemporaneous.
£180.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See his entry and hers in the Oxford DNB. Caird was Northcliffe’s right-hand man, and mainly associated with the Daily Mail. The four items are in fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with slight rust spotting from a paper clips. Items Two to Four are on carbon paper. ONE: ACS from Tutin to MP. Small unillustrated postcard, signed ‘Dorothy Tutin’. Reads: ‘I remember you very well - your fascinating letures at the Academy [i.e. London theatre school RADA, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art] - and shall be very happy to meet you for this article.

[Ellaline Terriss, Edwardian actress and singer.] Four items of Autograph Correspondence with theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope (‘Popie’), comprising three letters and one card, all signed ‘Ella’.

Author: 
Ellaline Terriss [born Mary Ellaline Lewin] (1871-1971), Edwardian actress and singer, wife of Seymour Hicks and daughter of William Terriss [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian]
Publication details: 
ONE: 28 December 1950; 36 Lauderdale Mansions, Maida Vale [London]. TWO: [1956.] THREE: ‘Tuesday’; with letterhead of The Old Rectory, Frimley, Aldershot, Hants. FOUR: Post Card with Frimley postmark, 8 July 1957; Frimley letterhead of ‘Lady Hicks'.
£80.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See both their entries in the Oxford DNB. The four items in good condition, lightly aged and creased, with slight spotting to one corner of Item. Folded for postage. ONE: ALS dated 28 December 1950. 2pp, 12mo. Before sending seasonal greetings she begins: ‘My dear Popie / I returned home to find your wonderful book waiting for me.

[Angus McBean, Welsh photographer and set designer associated with surrealism.] Bromide print of photographic portrait of Moya Macqueen-Pope, daughter of theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope.

Author: 
Angus McBean [Angus Rowland McBean] (1904-1990), Welsh photographer and set designer associated with surrealism [Moya Macqueen-Pope (b.1916), daughter of theatre historian Walter James Macqueen-Pope]
Publication details: 
Undated. Stamp on reverse of ‘Angus McBean / Photographer / Maskmaker / 29B Belgrave Road, / London, S.W.1. / Telephone: Victoria 1048.’
£350.00

From the papers of W. Macqueen-Pope. See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. The National Portrait Gallery holds McBean’s portrait of MP, but not the present item, of which no other copy has been traced. 17.5 x 25 cm. In fair condition, with two corners dogeared; the reverse, carrying McBean’s stamp, is rather discoloured. Also on the reverse, in pencil is ‘Moya Macqueen-Pope’. Plain background.

[‘What a play!’: Percy Merriman, musician and songwriter, mainstay of the Roosters troupe of entertainers.] Autograph Letter Signed to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope, recalling Sir George Alexander’s 1896 production of ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’.

Author: 
Percy Merriman [Percival Harry Merriman] (1882-1966), musician and songwriter with the Roosters troupe of entertainers, who began as a First World War concert party [Walter James Macqueen-Pope]
Publication details: 
14 October [no year, but before 1958]. On letterhead of ‘Percy Merriman / Lecturer and Entertainer / 37 Parliament Hill / London / N.W.3’.
£45.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers (see his entry in the Oxford DNB). Merriman was accorded the honour of an episode of the BBC’s Desert Island Discs in 1964. 2pp, 12mo. Signed ‘Percy’ and addressed to ‘Dear Popie’. In good condition, lightly aged, with one dog-eared corner and folded twice for postage. Begins: ‘Am not of course seeking any publicity over your book on St. James Theatre [published in 1958] only wish I could help more. / You know of course Allan Ainsworth [sic, for ‘Aynesworth’] is alive the doyen of the Garrick Club! He played often with G[eorge]. A[lexander]. - in Pinero & Wilde.

[Percy Nash, film producer and director, key figure at Elstree Studios.] Typed Letter Signed to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope, recounting an anecdote about his time at His Majesty’s with Sir Herbert Beerbohm-Tree; with a signed Typed CV.

Author: 
Percy Nash (1869-1958), British film producer and director, key figure in creation of Elstree Studios [W. J. Macqueen-Pope [Walter James Macqueen-Pope] (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
Letter: 12 November 1948. On letterhead of 2 Bristol Court West, Marine Parade, Brighton. CV undated, but with autograph address 'Percy Nash / 2 Bristol Court West / Marine Parade. / Brighton. / Sussex'.
£150.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See MP's entry in the Oxford DNB.) Nash made around 70 films between 1912 and 1927, and was a key figure in the creation of Elstree Studios. His career as a film maker was effectively ended following the screening of his 1921 film 'How Kitchener was betrayed'. See Bernard Ince, ' “For the Love of the Art”: The Life and Work of Percy Nash, Film Producer and Director of the Silent Era’, ‘Film History’, September 2007. Both items in good condition, lightly aged, each with light rust staining at one corner from paper clip. LETTER: 1p, 4to. Signed ‘Percy Nash’.

[Ralph Reader, Broadway and West End theatrical impressario.] Typed Letter Signed to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope, thanking him for writing about ‘the new Award’ [perhaps the Novello?] and giving his news.

Author: 
Ralph Reader (1903-1982), Broadway and West End theatrical impressario associated with Scouting movement Gang Show and FA Cup Final community singing [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960)]
Publication details: 
26 June 1957; on his letterhead, 14b Fitzjohn’s Avenue, NW3 [London].
£42.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition. Signed ‘Ralph’ and addressed to ‘Dear Popie’. It was ‘extremely good’, ‘and typical too’, of MP to write to him ‘about the new Award’. He is ‘at Newcastle now with the Val Parnell Summer Show and we ring up on Monday’. MP will know ‘what we shall be going through at the moment!’ He ends by thanking him ‘VERY [sic] much for writing’.

[Hutin Britton, Shakespearian actress.] Two Autograph Letters Signed to theatre historian, one written following the death of her husband, Canadian actor-manager Matheson Lang.

Author: 
Hutin Britton [Nellie Hutin Britton], English Shakespearian actress, wife of Canadian actor-manager Matheson Lang (1879-1948) [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
ONE: 28 April 1948; from the Marine Hotel, Hastings, Barbados, British West Indies. TWO: 15 October 1951; on letterhead of 11 Reddington Road, Hampstead, NW3 [London].
£60.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers.. See his entry, and that of Matheson Lang, in the Oxford DNB. As the latter states, Britton and Lang had married in 1903 (she had been an actress with him in the Benson company since 1901). They toured together in Lang’s company, with Britton usually as his leading lady. ‘In 1914 they helped to inaugurate Shakespeare productions at the Old Vic under Lilian Baylis, for which Lang personally lent costumes and scenery.’ Britton was for many years a member of the Old Vic's governing board. Both items are signed ‘N. Matheson Lang’. ONE: ALS, 28 April 1948.

[Ifan Kyrle Fletcher, theatre historian and antiquarian bookseller.] Typed Letter Signed to fellow theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope, regarding theatrical ephemera he is supplying for ‘the redecoration of the Whitbread house in Covent Garden’.

Author: 
Ifan Kyrle Fletcher (1905-1969), theatre historian and antiquarian bookseller [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
16 March 1951; on letterhead of Ifan Kyrle Fletcher, Rare Books, 12 Lansdowne Road, Wimbledon, SW20, London.
£45.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers (see his entry in the Oxford DNB). 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once, with one dogeared corner. He thanks him for ‘having mentioned my name in connection with the playbills, prints, etc., needed for the redecoration of the Whitbread house in Covent Garden’. He believes MP will be ‘seeing my selection within the next few days’, and hopes that, ‘in general, you will approve of it’.

[Matheson Lang, London-based Canadian Shakespearian actor.] Autograph Letter Signed to W. J. Macqueen-Pope, containing reminiscences of his early London career at the St James’s Theatre, written in response to MP’s book ‘Carriages at Eleven’.

Author: 
Matheson Lang [Alexander Matheson Lang] (1879-1948), Canadian actor-manager based in London [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
10 December 1947; ‘c/o Canadian Bank of Commerce / Bridgetown / Barbados / B. West Indies’.
£50.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. Air Mail letter, 2pp, 4to, written within a few months of his death. With large signature ‘Matheson Lang’, and addressed to ‘My dear Pope’. Lightly-aged and worn, with slight damage from removal of postage stamp. Thirty-three lines of text, neatly-written and complete.

[‘Kate Carney’, stage name of music hall artiste Catherine Mary Shea, ‘The Coster Comedienne’.] Autograph Letter Signed, thanking theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope for the ‘nice write up’, and asking for help in finding an editor for her memoirs.

Author: 
‘Kate Carney’ [stage name of Catherine Mary Shea, née Pattinson] (1869-1950), English music hall artiste, known as ‘The Cockney Queen’ and ‘Coster Comedienne' [W. J. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian]
Publication details: 
14 March 1949; 60 Christchurch Road, Streatham Hill, SW2 [London].
£56.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers (see his entry in the Oxford DNB). 2pp, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, and folded three times for postage. She asks him to send ‘3 or 4 more copies’ of his ‘nice write up in the “Sunday Chronicle” March 13th.’, as she would like to send ‘a copy to Australia, Canada & America, as there is some talk about my going to America in the near future’. She has ‘tried all over Streatham and Brixton and it seems impossible to get a copy anywhere’, and will be happy to pay the cost.

[Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in Rattigan’s ‘Sleeping Prince’.] Duplicated typescript of article by W. Macqueen-Pope: ‘This is Real Theatre / The Oliviers Return to Town’, with carbon of covering TL, and commissioning ALS by Barbara Beauchamp.

Author: 
[Laurence Olivier [Lord Olivier] and Vivien Leigh] W. J. Macqueen-Pope [Walter James Macqueen-Pope] (1888-1960), theatre historian; Barbara Proctor Beauchamp (1909-74), journalist and novelist
Publication details: 
Beauchamp’s commissioning TLS: 15 September 1953; on letterhead of publishers Newnes & Pearson’s, London. Carbon of MP’s covering TL: 24 September 1953. MP’s article undated, but contemporaneous.
£150.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. The occasion of the article was the forthcoming premiere of Rattigan’s play ‘The Sleeping Prince’, Olivier’s production of which, at the Phoenix Theatre in London, opened on 5 November 1953. The movie rights were bought by Marilyn Monroe, and the Hollywood film appeared in 1957 as ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’, with Olivier reprising his stage role, and Rattigan also writing the filmscript. See the entries on the Oliviers and Macqueen-Pope in the Oxford DNB. Interest in Beauchamp’s novels has grown in recent years.

[Basil Ashmore, theatre and music director.] Typed Letter Signed to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope, regarding work on his film on the actor Edmund Kean.

Author: 
Basil Ashmore [Basil Norton Ashmore] (1915-1998), British theatre and music director and author, associated with Glyndbourne, Covent Garden, the Chiltern Festival, and Birmingham and Wycombe Repertory
Publication details: 
8 March [no year, 1950s]; Far Corner, Stubbs Wood, Amersham, Bucks.
£80.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers (see his entry in the Oxford DNB). 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and folded three times. Signed ‘Basil Ashmore’. Begins: ‘Dear Mr MacQueen Pope, / Im [sic] sorry to keep bothering you about this film on Kean. Last time I saw you, you said “see me in March”[.] This week you said “leave it until they start in April”[.] / You may remember that I am a director, who has recently worked with Michael Powell on his new film.’ Ashmore is ‘anxious to contact the producer of your Kean film in case I can assist on this.

[William Robert Grossmith; Infant Roscius, Master Grossmith of Reading] Autograph Letter Signed W.R. Grossmith to unknown party, about theatrical arrangements, including his brother..

Author: 
W.R. Grossmith [William Robert Grossmith, also known as Master Grossmith (1818–1899), 19th-century child actor, Master Grossmith [Infant Roscius (II)] became maker of prosthetic limbs].
Publication details: 
Theatre - Sunderland- April 16th | 1842.
£220.00

An actor able to dictate terms!. One page, 4to, sl. aged, fold marks, sl. crumpled but text good and clear (in somewhat awkward handwriting).

[Lewis Carroll illustrated by Elizabeth Bury.] Two Christmas keepsake private printings: 'The Hunting of the Snark' and 'The Old Man's Comforts by Robert Southey | You Are Old, Father William & The Evidence […] by Lewis Carroll'.

Author: 
Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson], author of 'Alice in Wonderland'; Elizabeth Bury, illustrator, wife of and collaborator with theatre designer John Bury (1925-2000); Robert Southey
Publication details: 
Neither with place or date. 'Snark' with presentation inscription from Bury to Christopher Fry dated Christmas 2003. Other volume with similar inscription dated Christmas 1999.
£450.00

Elizabeth Bury, illustrator and theatre designer, wife of and collaborator with John Bury (1925-2000), British theatre designer noted for his innovative work with Peter Hall, the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre (see his obituary in the Guardian, 15 November 2000). Two ring-bound 8vo Christmas keepsake private printings, both filled with full-page illustrations by Bury. Both inscribed by her to the playwright Christopher Fry. Both in good condition, with light signs of age. Uniform in layout, both with coloured covers of striking design.

[‘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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