Music and Theatre

Actor and playwright (1891-1948). Director of the French Players, 209 Nelson House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1. One page, 8vo. "The only programme you havent got is of: "On Ne Badine pas avec l'amour." "

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 2 pp, 8vo. "I will let you know tomorrow. I have been working towards a certain goal - The T of P with the original cast. There has been a little uncertainty about an artist & I have been tempted to try other actors. I shall know by tomorrow". Smuding to recto, but signature not affected.

Actress and singer. 3 pp, 12mo. She apologises for not answering sooner. She "will be in Manchester again this coming winter" and will send a photograph which she hopes he will like. "I dont dislike Manchester - for the week I was there - it didn't rain at all. Well I must close as I must get ready to sing."

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 8vo. "Dear Lady Ashbourne / Will you & Lord Ashbourne sup with me next Monday at 34 Piccadilly Circus at 11.30 and confer great pleasure on, amongst others, / Yours sincerely / Charles Wyndham"

English actor, playwright, songwriter (1856-1914). One page, 12mo. "Dear Mrs. Merivale, / I enclose two stalls & hope you will enjoy a good laugh that is all I can you. / So glad to see you & Mr. Merivale looking so well today". Attached by blank verso to blank second leaf, which bears traces of previous mounting.

English actor (1839-93). One page, 8vo, mounted on piece of paper with cutting from envelope addressed in autograph to "Trench Kirkpatrick Esq / Donacomper / Celbridge Court Kildare / Ireland". "Aint it ot it is awful ot." / Our Boys" / Faithfully yours / David James / Vaudeville Theatre / October 17th 79 / To Trench Kirkpatrick". James made his fortune in 1875 in H. J. Byron's "Our Boys".

Vocalist and composer (1774-1841). Piece of 4to paper with stationer's embossment folded over and attached with sealing wax. Addressed on one side to "Charles Farley Esq / Theatre Royal / Covt. Garden". "Dear Farley / If you can with perfect convenience give me an order for this on tomorrow night you will oblige an old friend / T Philipps / My lecturers privilege is at your service for any friend during my course at any of the institutions". Slight loss (without loss to text) caused by opening of letter.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 12mo. "I have much pleasure in granting your complimentary request & hope you will be able to read my writing". Not in best of condition, with traces of mount glued to the reverse.

English actor (1895-1932), son of the actor Fred Terry (1864-1932) and his wife the actress Julia Emilie Neilson (1868-1957). One page, 4to. "I must write to you now just to say how much I enjoyed your letter, & the great good-fellowship & hospitable sport, that prompted the sending of it. All I can say is that you're all splendid to be so good & helpful to me, thank you again & again".

English actress (1872-1949), made a Dame of the British Empire in 1941. Blue "letter card" with printed stamp, addressed in autograph to "Mr Walter Wood / 7 Theresa Terrace / Hammersmith". "Many thanks for your kind invitation for June 29th which I am very sorry to say we are unable to accept owing to a previous engagement for that day. We are very busy just now rehearsing for revivals, but later on I hope we shall meet again after all. It has been most unfortunate both times missing each other. With many regrets about the C G." With traces of paper and glue to reverse.

English actor-manager (1844-1912). One page, 8vo. "I am complimented by the request - but - my time at present is so fully occupied and my powers of description are so poor that I am compelled to say 'no' and I really think your readers have reason to be grateful for the decision / Yours sincerely / E. Terry".

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 12mo. "I am glad to hear you are getting better. There has been a bond of sympathy between us. I myself have been off colour all the week & locked up in my room yesterday and to-day."

Anglo-American dramatist (1901-57). One page, 8vo. "How very, very nice of you to write - and thank you so much for seeing my play twice and liking it. / It was all very disappointing and sad - and I dont think there is anything else to say. But I did appreciate your letter: thank you so much."

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. "The actors Benevolent Trust is our institution for relief of deserving cases - if your friend will apply to me by letter & state her case freely I will lay it before the committee of which I am a member." Traces of previous mounting on reverse of blank second leaf.

English actress (1779-1850). Fragment of letter, 1 page, 8vo, signed "Julia Glover" and docketted "Mrs Glover of Drury Lane Theatre". Stuck to a torn piece of paper carrying the following biographical sketch: "Mrs Glover.

On letterhead of the Guildhall School of Music. Did not reply sooner as he left London "immediately after my concert with the B.B.C." Is so "very much touched by your charming letter" that he is "venturing to send you an autographed Photogravure of myself". Creased and with some loss to two corners. Glue and paper adhering to reverse.

He has heard that "a prospectus of the Company now being formed for the establishment of an English Opera Theatre in London has been sent to you at Thurloe Square", but he sends another with a few words. "I think that we have undertaken a good work: and I feel confident that, were the Company established, we should prosper." Needs to fill list of shareholders by 13 inst. Asks his correspondent to take a few shares "for the love of an art, which, if not your own, is akin to it".

The 1889 note: "Let me know whether you care to publish poetry - I can send you 3 stanzas". The other note: "I regret much that I am already engaged to dinner on Tuesday. If it were probable that yr party sat late into the night I would gladly join you in the coffee state of yr festivities". Two items,

Smart, Sir George Thomas 1776-1867, musician and orchestral conductor. Envelope fornt with address as above, c.4 x 2.5", signed by Smart, text clear despite some soiling.

Actor (1830-1906). One page, 8vo, .good. With enclosure. He encloses his autograph (present - a tag from “Paul Pry” signed by Toole) and says he will be in Belfast in October.2 items,

Novelist, dramatist and journalist (1831-1894). One page each, 8vo, good. In the first, he is sorry that “Fred” has been bothered in a particular“matter”. In the second, he says simply “Here is the Valentine you askfor”.

French composer. 2pp., 8vo, , referring to a list he has added to the letter of 8 pieces he would like to publish if his correspondent can cooperate. He has the proofs of To the Hills “a votre disposition”, and describes in a postscript a “fantaisie” he has justfinished.

He has "stopped all orders at T.R.H. [Haymarket?]" and cannot, therefore, ask other managers for favours.

Actor then Theatre Manager (see DNB). "unexpected circumstances" oblige him to postopone the opening of the Adelphi Season until June next. The cast will not assemble until the 12th June. It appears to be in a secretarial hand signed by Murray.

Singer (DNB). Bold, underlined Signature, c.3.5 x 1.5". Other side the following few words, "towns, will tempt me [to] make a trial, so I do [not?] think I shall visit".

Ballet. Fletcher was a bookseller specialising in Performing Arts and founder of the Society for Theatre Research. One page, 4to, chipped, four small tears, fold mark, punch-holes, small hole in centre, but complete and legible. He thanks Fletcher for submitting a print to "us" (Leslie and Niles?) but they decline regretfully, requesting others from the Romantic Period as they occur. "The 'Pas de Quatre' is most beautiful and now graces our walls." He requests an English translation of "Stepanow alphabet les Mouvements du Corps Humain".

Ann[a] Bishop, singer (1814-1884)(DNB). (No date) Three pages, 8vo, fair but legible, edge rough where extracted from an album.. She is sorry not to have been able to see her. She is travelling to Australia on that day and willbe in England in four months. She apologises for the writing, giving the reason. (1868) Four pages, 8vo, good condition but edge rough where extrcated from an album. She would be pleased to meet Mrs Brewster in England and gives her brother's address ("Mr Riviere". She would be happy to give her singing lessons. Two items,

Actor-manager (1858-1923), knighted in 1922. He thanks her for her letter. "It was very sweet of you to remember me and I appreciate it very much indeeed - With best wishes to you for the New Year / Yours / Charles H. Hawtrey".

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. 2 pp, 12mo. "I am terribly over worked just now but must snatch a moment to tell you how truly grieved I am to know of your sad accident and illness. / I fear too, it will keep you from us on the 20th which will be indeed a regret." Signed "S. B. Bancroft".

Actor and costume designer (1868-?). The first letter, docketted "Alas poor Tom -", to Miss Grosvenor, 4 December 1940, 18 Selwood Terrace., 2 pp, 8vo. He apologises for not being able to attend any of her at homes. "I have been at Plymouth & Cardiff the last fortnight with H. B. Irving [Henry Brodribb Irving, 1870-1919] arranging his new play". The second letter, to L. E. Berman, 21 April 1940, with embossment 52 Temple Fortune Hill, 2 pp, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. He thanks him for forwarding the letter from Barking.