Music and Theatre

one autograph letter signed to [Thomas] Bass of Manchester,

Author: 
Denis Neilson-Terry
Publication details: 
undated, Lew Theatre, Manchester.
£15.00

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".

autograph card signed to Walter Wood,

Author: 
Irene Vanbrugh (stage name of Irene Barnes)
Publication details: 
postmarked 14 July 1895 St. James Theatre.
£15.00

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.

autograph letter signed to Mr [?] Courtney,

Author: 
Edward Terry
Publication details: 
2 October 1890, on black and red ink letterhead of Terry's Theatre in the Strand.
£20.00

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".

autograph note signed to Mrs [?] Brooks,

Author: 
Charles Wyndham
Publication details: 
no date, on letterhead of the Hyde Park Hotel, Knightsbridge.
£20.00

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."

autograph letter signed in stamped envelope addressed in autograph to L. E. Berman,

Author: 
John van Druten
Publication details: 
4 December 1934, on letterhead of Kingsgate Castle, Thanet.
£20.00

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."

one autograph letter signed to Miss Home,

Author: 
George Alexander (George Alexander Gibb Samson)
Publication details: 
1 April 1892, on the letterhead of the St James's Theatre, King Street, St James's.
£20.00

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.

one autograph note signed to Mrs [Elizabeth] Merivale (née Pitman), wife of the playwright Herman Charles Merivale (1839-1906),

Author: 
[Walter] Brandon Thomas
Publication details: 
30 August 1893, with letterhead 42 Cadogan Terrace.
£20.00

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.

autograph fragment signed to "- Bellamy, Esqr.",

Author: 
Julia Glover
Publication details: 
undated.
£35.00

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.

autograph fragment signed to unnamed correspondent,

Author: 
Marion Terry
Publication details: 
no date or place.
£15.00

English actress (1852-1930), sister of Ellen Terry and member of celebrated theatrical dynasty. Fragment of letter, one page, 16mo, of irregular shape. "[...] but I did & do wish you every success dear child & thank you so much for your sweet thoughts of me = / Yours with love / Marion Terry". Remains of mount to the blank reverse.

autograph letter signed to Dorothy [?],

Author: 
Irene Vanbrugh (stage name of Irene Barnes)
Publication details: 
25 April (no year), Globe Theatre.
£15.00

English actress (1872-1949), made a Dame of the British Empire in 1941. 2 pp, 8vo. "Many thanks for your kind note. I shall be delighted to come down on Sunday May 28th. & stay till Monday afternoon. I may be rather a quiet sort of guest as this part is a great tax on me - but a day in the country with you sounds most tempting."

one autograph note signed to unnamed male correspondent (a journalist?),

Author: 
Edward Terry
Publication details: 
22 September 1887, Barnes, Surrey.
£25.00

English actor-manager (1844-1912). 2 pp, 12mo. "I found your note to-day at the Garrick - If you are likely to be in Town again I will give you an Interview. but you must let me have a proof before publication. You promised this at Eastbourne and did not send it." In bad condition: torn, creased and discoloured.

autograph letter signed to his aunt Madeleine,

Author: 
Cyril Maude
Publication details: 
23 February [no year], with the letterhead 33 Brompton Crescent.
£20.00

English actor-manager (1862-1951). 3 pp, 12mo. "Things are so terribly 'uncertain' with me just now. I am exceedingly busy every day arranging about a Syndicate which is to back us in a Theatre this Autumn added to this the latest play at the Comedy is not a success & we may be plunged into Rehearsals any day. When things 'calm down' a bit I will let you know if we can come. I should like to very much if we can manage it."

autograph note signed to unnamed correspondent,

Author: 
Marion Terry
Publication details: 
no date or place.
£12.00

English actress (1852-1930), sister of Ellen Terry and member of celebrated theatrical dynasty. One page, 12mo. Evidently in reply to a request for an autograph. "Yours truly / Marion Terry".

autograph letter signed to Mrs [?] Wood,

Author: 
Irene Vanbrugh (stage name of Irene Barnes)
Publication details: 
no date, with letterhead 190 Earl's Court Road.
£15.00

English actress (1872-1949), made a Dame of the British Empire in 1941. Headed "Wednesday" (no date), one page, 8vo. "Mr Sydney Brooks' address is / 2 Montpelier Square / S. W. / He is the cellist who is going to play at your concert. Yours in haste / Irene Vanbrugh".

autograph note signed to the wife of Henry Fielding Dickens [1849-?], son of the novelist Charles Dickens.

Author: 
Charles Wyndham
Publication details: 
2 January 1901, on letterhead of Wyndham's Theatre, Charing Cross Road.
£50.00

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 2 pp, 8vo. "Dear Mrs Dickens / When I spoke the other night of an autograph I meant that of your husband: I did not dream of such an acceptable present as you have forwarded me / I think I shall alter your plan. I will still send the book for the autograph of the eminent Q. C. & shall that of his celebrated father / With a thousand thanks / Yours truly / Charles Wyndham". In reasonable condition, with a few creases and small tears.

autograph note signed,

Author: 
William Henry Schofield Payne
Publication details: 
no date.
£45.00

Actor and pantomimist (1804-1878), "the last true mime", who played opposite the great Joseph Grimaldi. One page, 8vo. Written in a florid hand, "W H S Payne / Theater Royal Covent Garden / Le Roi De Pantomime." The "S" in the signature is in superscript. In a smaller hand at the head of the page the signature of Gustave Garcia.

autograph letter signed to Mrs Revière,

Author: 
Brandon Thomas
Publication details: 
28 June 1898, with letterhead 105 Cadogan Gardens.
£15.00

English actor, playwright, songwriter (1856-1914). One page, 12mo. "You are sweet, as well as dear! We are working our heads off about the Liebhart Concert & hoping for the best / The two tickets will be sent in due course". With traces of paper and glue to the reverse of blank second leaf.

one autograph letter signed to [?] Palgrave,

Author: 
Charles Sugden
Publication details: 
"Sunday" (no date), 3 Pall Mall Place, on deleted letterhead 50 Pall Mall.
£25.00

Actor (1850-1921). A storm in a teacup. "I am sorry to say I must decide against you in reference to the cups & saucers, the history of them was this, Jack asked me as I had nothing to do to go & buy him some coffee cups &c / I went, bought the ones you refer to & begged Jack to accept them as a present, I am sorry that you should lose them, but am glad that you both wished to possess them".

autograph note signed to unnamed correspondent,

Author: 
Charles Wyndham
Publication details: 
no date, on letterhead of the Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly.
£15.00

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 8vo. "One never makes a mistake in telling the truth / Charles Wyndham / The Liar." Perhaps a reference to Wyndham's outstanding performance in Jones's "The Liars" (1897).

one autograph note signed to Mrs [?] Pagée,

Author: 
Henry Brodribb Irving
Publication details: 
9 December 1893, on letterhead of the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.
£25.00

English actor-manager (1870-1919), elder son of the celebrated Henry Irving. "My wife has asked me to send you the . I do so with the greatest pleasure. [...]". Discoloured, with heavy creasing to margin, and traces of previous mounting on reverse of blank second leaf.

TLS, 1p, 8vo, to Miss Webster Brough

Author: 
Sir Landon Ronald
Publication details: 
08/12/31
£25.00

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.

ALS, 2pp, 8vo, to J. P. Cooke

Author: 
John Palgrave Simpson (DNB), dramatist and novelist
Publication details: 
04/10/83
£80.00

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".

2 ANS to unnamed correspondents and one autograph address, "H. Cholmondeley <Parnell?> Esq. | The Admiralty"

Author: 
Charles Hamilton Aidé [Charles Hamilton Aide] (DNB), author and musician
Publication details: 
10 June 1889, Queen Anne's Mansion, and 1 July [no year], 68 Jermyn Street
£50.00

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,

Autograph "G. Smart"on envelope front, to William Maclose, 61 York Terrace, Regents Park.

Author: 
George Smart.
Publication details: 
[1845].
£25.00

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.

Autograph Note Signed to “Miss Lanyon”, daughter of Charles Lanyon, engineer.

Author: 
J.L. Toole,
Publication details: 
06/07/89
£35.00

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,

Autograph Notes Signed to “Fred” (Peake) and to an unknown correspondent.

Author: 
Edmund Yates.
Publication details: 
19 Dec. 1876 and 14 Feb. 1885[?].
£50.00

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”.

Autograph Note Signed to an unknown correspondent.

Author: 
Chaulieu.
Publication details: 
No date.
£75.00

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.

Autograph Note Signed to unknown correspondent (name partly clipped off)

Author: 
E.A.Sothern.
Publication details: 
Junior Carlton Club, no date.
£20.00

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

Letter Signed to "Mr [Saher?], Theatre Royal, Dublin.

Author: 
W.H. Murray.
Publication details: 
Theatre Royal Edinburgh, 16 May 1850.
£45.00

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.

Signature, with small amount of text.

Author: 
Elizabeth Rainforth.
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£20.00

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".

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