[ Hal Collier, Victorian popular dramatist. ] Typescripts, with autograph additions, of three of melodramas: '"In the Hands of the Mormons" Or "The Mormon Peril"; 'The Broken Rosary' and 'The Secret Panel'.

Collier was the author of a number of melodramas and farces in the period between the Boer War and the Great War, including one written in conjunction with F. H. Dudley, but little is to be discovered about him, with no mention of these three titles. All three items in fair condition, on aged paper, in aged and worn bindings. ONE: '"In the Hands of the Mormons" Or "The Mormon Peril" A Drama in FOUR acts written by Hal Collier'. [1] + 45pp., 4to. Stitched into grey paper wraps. With pencil emendations throughout, including extensive deletions. A piece of paper with pencil additions, headed 'Goodman's speech' is loosely inserted, as is a piece of paper with directions. The work is described on the title-page as: 'A written up to date version of the old drama, "Poor girls Temptation"'. The play is set in 'Jonas Craddocks miserable home in Westminster slums', a 'Street in London Slums', 'Elder Goodmans apartments in hotel', and 'Room in Mother Browns den, Wapping'. The characters include 'Jonas Craddock, lost through drink', 'Mathew Goodman, a Mormon Elder', 'Obadiah Meekly, a Mormon, Goodmans Jackal' and 'Mabel Harrington, one of Goodmans victims'. TWO: '"The Broken Rosary" An Irish drama in three acts Re-written and arranged by Hal Collier'. [2] + 40pp., 4to. Stitched into brown paper wraps. Stamp of 209 Southampton Road, Southampton. A few minor pencil emendations throughout. Note before title-page, stating that the play can be converted into an English play, 'by changing the locality to a small village on the Devonshire coast, with all characters, except Mike Sullivan, to be English & instead of a Priest, let him be a village Vicar'. THREE: '"The Secret Panel" | A new version of the old play "Bird inn Hand is worth two in the Bush." Re-written and arranged with new characters introduced by Hal Collier'. [1] + 42pp., 4to. Minor pencil emendations, and deletions, throughout.