ALS and TLS from Sir Merton Russell Coates to Mrs Florence Rothsay, regarding mementos of his 'dear late friend' Sir Henry Irving, with drafts of letters by Mrs Frank Rothsay, and newspaper cutting.

The five items aged and worn, with slight rust staining from previous attachment. Both of RC's letters signed 'Merton Russell:Coates -'. TLS (8 October 1917): 1p., 4to. A rather sniffy letter, with RC stating that he has 'quite a number of photographs of Sir Henry Irving of various kinds', and instructing Mrs Rothsay to 'please take the frame off as I would rather have it unframed'. ALS (29 October 1917): 2pp., 4to. In rather warmer terms, he thanks her for her 'extreme kindness in presenting the two most interesting and beautiful bills of my dear late Friend, Sir Henry Irving's plays at Stratford'. He intends to have them framed and placed 'in the Irving Room'. He invites Mrs Rothsay to 'take tea with us', should she visit Bournemouth. The first of the two drafts of letters from Mrs Rothsay to RC is undated and 1p., 12mo. Having seen from an article in the 'Stage' that he is 'collecting mementos', she informs RC that she has 'a framed picture of Sir Henry which I would like to dispose of, if you have not one already.' The second draft is a torn fragment, about 2pp., 12mo. On one side of the paper is the top part of a draft, from 3 Water Lane, Stratford, E15, dated 29 October 1917. 'I must crave your indulgence in not answering your letter of the 28th ultimo. I was so very upset over our last Air Raid'. On the reverse is a different draft, in which she expresses an intention to visit Bournemouth, and encloses 'a signed letter of Sir Henrys'. The newspaper cutting (from the 'Stage', as mentioned by Mrs Rothsay) is headed 'Chit-chat. | An Irving Museum.' '[...] Sir Merton Russell-Cotes, who has done so much for Bournemouth - among other gifts, the Art Gallery of the town is due to his liberality - has devoted a room in his residence, East Cliff Hall, part of which forms the building of the Art Gallery, to the memory of Henry Irving and in honour of other leading members of the stage. [...] Sir Merton Russell-Cotes is anxious to add to his collection, and would be glad to hear from anyone having mementos of the great actor-manager.'