Music and Theatre

Journalist and playwright (1831-94). One page, 12mo. "Very many thanks for your kindness in sending me the records. I knew Bolland well, and many of the others who have 'gone over'. So the book is very interesting to me. "

English actor-manager (1862-1951). The first, April 29, Rivoli, with letterhead of The Playhouse, Northumberland Avenue, one page, 8vo. "Dear Miss Trevelyan, / Very many congratulations. You are absolutely 'sweet' in the piece. It is so many years since we met. Your performance is beautiful. I wished to come round & see you but didnt like to intrude." The second, 1 September [no year], with letterhead 26 Cleveland Gardens, Lancaster Gate, 2 pp, 12mo. Affectionate letter to "Dear little Manageress" (Trevelyan was for a time co-manageress of the Vaudeville Theatre).

[Real name Arthur Cecil Blunt] English actor (1843-1896). 2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Mrs Murray / I also was sorry not to put in an appearance on Sunday but I had a little work as you know to look over & after Douglas left me in the afternoon so many "casuals" dropped in that I could not well get out." He will have to give up the dinner party he had planned for Sunday, or postpone it till she returns from abroad. "I shall myself go I think to Brighton next Sunday as I can get two days of "the sea the sea the open sea!" " The letter is signed "Arthur Blunt".

English actor (1846-1909). "Dr Dr. Davis / I have not sufficient time at my disposal to tell you of interview with Mrs. & your son her solution - I have settled to take her house & have paid £50 as deposit. I think you will agree with me that the house is really a much better one than 15. I cannot sufficently thank you Dr. Davis for your - Please accept renewed thanks". Negligible traces of previous mounting.

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 12mo. "I am so sorry that owing to some money losses I cannot send more for poor Charlie Rocks widow."

English theatre manager (1881-1971). One page, 4to. He thanks him for his note about "A Woman of No Importance". In an apparent reference to a letter written by him to The Sunday Times about that newspaper's drama critic James Agate (1877-1947) he writes: "My letter was somewhat emasculated, as not only was a sentence left out in the middle, but the concluding sentence ran as follows: - / "Mr. Agate will never cease being provocative but his influence will necessarily diminish in proportion to the contempt he feels for his job.

English actor (1846-1909). One page, 8vo. "Dear Sir / If I can get original Cast I shall do a scene from 'Drink" / Yours faithfully / Charles Warner". Warner's most memorable part was Coupeau in 'Drink' (1879), an adaptation of Zola's 'L'Assommoir'. Not in the best of condition: creased, dusty and torn.

English dramatist, theatre manager, and dramatic critic (1885-1959). One page, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. "Dear Madam / Thanks for your note; I will present myself at King's College at 5.25 on Thursday."

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 12mo, cropped to an uneven shape. "Dear Miss Webster Brough / How very very kind of you to write like that. I have so greatly appreciated your thoughtfulness. I loved your dear father - bless him / Yours sincerely / Cyril Maude". Negligible traces of previous mounting at head of page.

Illustrator (1893 or 1896-1940). Crude sketch in pencil, on piece of lavender paper, 6¼ inches by 3¾, of garret with two beds, headed "Housemaster", and with "Drorn [sic] in the dark at the Apollo - / - / Aubrey Hammond / 1936 -" written beneath it. Mounted on fragment of blue paper carrying typewritten label and showing traces of brown paper strip.

One page, 12mo, written in purple ink on grey paper. "My dear Sir / Could you lunch with me at 2. on Tuesday at my rooms in Midland Hotel St. Pancras? / Yrs always / E. A. Sothern". With traces of previous mounting to the reverse.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 8vo. "Dear Mr / Thanks for enclosure & letter. / Yrs sincly / Charles Wyndham". Grubby, ruckled, and with traces of previous mounting on blank reverse.

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 12mo. "I have I regret to say already promised to do more than I ought to during this season, I mean in addition to all my regular work & so I am very sorry I cannot do what you suggest, although I am honoured by the wish of your Committee." With traces of previous mounting to the reverse of the blank second leaf.

English actor (1814-1878). The first, 2 pp, 12mo, to Admiral Hornly. "The enclosed ticket is very much at your service - Had you been up a few weeks ago, I think I should have cut a better figure in Mrs. Hornley's eyes, than I can in the stupid part I am now acting - [...]". (According to the DNB at this time Wigan was playing Rittmeister Harfthal in Robertson's "Dreams".) The second, to Miss [?] Paterson, 3 pp, 12mo. "I have had the pleasure to send the Admiral a box for the Gaiety for Monday next.

English actor-manager (1854-1918). One page, 8vo. "My dear Pemberton / We had a beastly passage over here, have both been seedy ever since, & only just able to crawl through our routine work I shall not attempt to sit down to the Play until Sunday, but on that day I will write you all about the new Scenario."

English dramatist and actor-manager (1871-1949), knighted in 1935. One page, 8vo. "Just to say au revoir I hope it will not be long before we meet again & until then - the best of good luck / Yours / Seymour Hicks / Ever so many thanks for your jolly wire - / Bless you". Piece of adhesive tape stuck along head of recto.

English actor (1814-1878). 2 pp, 8vo, neatly mounted. "James Brown has referred me to you for a character as a general in-door servant - I should be much obliged if you would let me know your experience of his abilities, and of his character for honesty & diligence and sobriety -"

Actor and producer (1880-1957). 2 pp, 4to. He thanks her for taking an interest in his work. "Yes - you are right I have a wonderful mother. / Wasn't it dreadful on Saturday afternoon! I thought it brave of you to sit it through." Somewhat grubby and creased.

English actor (1814-1878). One page, 12mo. "My dear Sir, / By all means send me a ticket of our dinner. / Yours truly / Alfred Wigan". The reverse of the second leaf, which shows some traces of paper and glue, is docketed in pencil, "One of the only gentlemen on the stage in / "Still Waters run deep" / by Tom Taylor at Olympic / 1855 / as Simon Strap. / in "An Ill Wind that blows nobody Good" at the Adelphi / made speeches for the Free Traders at the Chrystal [sic] Palace". This last fact is not mentioned in Wigan's DNB entry.

Actor (1864-1947). 2 pp. "Dear Cabourn, / We are drawn together in the 1st heat of the Billd Handicap - when do you think you will be able to play - the thing is hanging fire a bit."

English actress (1854-1945). 2 pp, 12mo. "All my recitations are favorites just when I am reciting them - so the question you ask me is rather difficult to answer. - I love my work, so each bit of it has its special place in my heart. Sometimes - it may be a sad one or a merry one that I feel most devoted to. - The audiences help you at these moments & make special favorites for a few hours."

Pianist. 2 sides. He accepts an invitation to play a solo for the "Sick Childre (sic) Hospital" adding his choice of music for the programme.

French playwright. One page, 12mo. In French. He declares in inflated terms his inability to dine with him on a certain day.

Miscellaneous writer, journalist, Republican (1767-1840). 8vo. He complains that he forgot to leave his name for Phillips and his friends so that they could not enter the theatre. He asks that he make sure he does "this evening" with underlinings and emphatic statements.

German-English singer, composer and conductor (1850-1934). One page, 8vo, anticipating a meeting and Pollock receiving something illegible, adding that the concerts are going well.

German-English Musical Composer (1804-1885). One page, 8vo, good condition. "Should Miss Maddy be well enough to be able to take her lesson to-morrow Thursday at four o'clock it would afford me great pleasure to give her an hour's instruction then in lieu of to-day."