Autograph Letters

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.

The Elder. Surgeon and physiologist (1783-1862). Two pages, 8vo. He is sorry to find that the Dean and his wife are ill, and that he cannot accept an invitation.

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.

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".

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.

Actor and producer (1880-1957). He would have answered sooner had he not been waiting for a photograph "which has not yet arrived - however you shall have it when it does. Your letter was delightfully refreshing adn it is good to know that the stage has such valiant supporters." Signed "E. Harcourt Williams".

Naturalist (1797-1879). Two pages, 8vo, text as follows: "To enable me to answer your letter of the 6th I must beg you to have the goodness to furnish me with some information regarding "Taunton College School" & the proposed "extension" of it. . . . P.S. Please to address . . ."

English actor-manager (1853-1917), knighted in 1907. 2 pp, 12mo. "My dear Merivale. / I have induced a friend to vacate his Box for you - Of course I wanted Mrs Merivale to come - I thought you had stalls. / I hope you will think we are behaving well Tomorrow night. / Yours sincerely / Herbert Beerbohm Tree / Kindly return stall ticket". The signature is splendidly sprawling. Traces of adhesive tape, glue and mount to blank reverse of second leaf.

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".

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).

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Mrs Horsley / The state of the weather to-day precludes me from even trying to see you & to-night / I shall be happy to come tomorrow with Miss Moore [his wife the actress Mary Moore,1869-1931]".

Surgeon and medical writer (1826-1895). Two pages, 8vo. As follows: "Let me acknowledge the pleasure with which I have read your paper on the obstacles to Science teaching in school. It is by such efforts as yours, and I think in this way only, that the obstacles will be overcome."

Great English actor of stage and screen (1914-2000). One page, 12mo. "Sir Alec Guinness regrets that as he will be abroad he is unable to accept the kind invitation for 8 July." A large tick in red pen on the recto intrudes slightly into the text area.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 2 pp, 8vo. An interesting letter relating to the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. "I suppose your plans are definitely arranged with regard to the much lamented & 'Lyric' If not, or you think we could turn it into a Theatre - size - a little larger than the Criterion, I would be ready either to take a lease of it or even put money into it - and I fancy it would pay the starters.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 3 pp, 8vo. An interesting letter in which he angles for some some royal patronage. "Dear Arthur / I am trying to arrange Agatha but there are difficulties - / I wonder whether Her Royal Highness is disengaged next Tuesday. We play a charming little piece on Tuesday afternoon about ¼ past 3 - which I am sure with her dramatic taste she will appreciate - It is a new comedietta called "Mrs Hilary regrets" [by Spenser Theyre Smith] that we played with great success at the Lyceum.

Politician and essayist (1780-1857). One page, 8vo, good condition, saying "My carriage will meet you at the Gosport Station tomorrow, Saturday, a 1/4 past 3.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 2 pp, 12mo. "We have been staging this week at Maidenhead (I going down nightly) in order to be neear to Henley. So Mrs W. has not had her letters. We are I know engaged on Tuesday - but we shall hope nevertheless to reach you before 2 am final hour." Traces of previous mounting on the blank sides of both leaves.

Dramatist and actor (1834-84). The letter, to [Edward] Draper, 18 April 1879, with letterhead 1 Eccleston Square, one page, 12mo. "I send a cheque for two guineas for Straus's affair. How many of our mutual friends have dropped off since we first met! I have been obliged to subscribe widely during the last 2 years - Mrs Mellon, Chatterton, J. Clarke, Mrs Manders, Buckston W. Glover, S. L. Blanchard and others, or I would send more." Fragment cut from another letter reading "Very sincerely yours/Henry J. Byron". Stuck to another piece of paper bearing traces of a mount. 2 items.

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."

Civil engineer (1839-1917). One page, 12mo. A letter of thanks, presumably sent following the receipt of his knighthood. "Pray accept my best thanks for your kind congratulations & good wishes. / Yours very tly / Alr. R. Binnie." Four pieces of gummed paper from previous mounting adhering to the reverse.

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."

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".

Divine, novelist, philologist and theological writer (1831-1903). He will get very great pleasure from being present at the laying of the foundation stone "of your new school" [in Taunton}. He goes on to describe the progress Harrow has made in science education ("All these changes are signs of the time". "I shall be very glad to have the honour of being present at the extension of a school so distinguished for efforts in this direction . . .". In a postscript he wonders if guest participation in a porcession involves "academical dress".

English actor (1826-81). A tiny studio photograph (an inch by three-quarters of an inch) of Sothern in the role with which he is forever associated, that of Lord Dundreary in Tom Taylor's 'Our American Cousin' (1858). Head and shoulders, looking slightly to the left, sporting a monocle and a raffish look, a centre-parting, moustache, and the sideburns which gave a new word to the English language, "dundrearies". Mounted and glued to a torn sheet of paper also bearing two signatures cut away from letters, the first "E. A. Sothern" and the second "Ted".

Dramatic author (so docketted). One page, 12mo. "On looking (as the young women say "promiscuously") over the list of your C. G. vice Presds. I do not perceive the name of my good friend the Duke of Beaufort - Has he never belonged to it? Or if not shall I ask him?" The reverse glued to the remains of the mount, with some slight loss (not affecting text) to one of the corners. Macready mentions Dance in his diary on a few occasions, without giving his first name in full.

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.

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 (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.

Gives briefest details of next step of a tour of Scotland. His address will be "Marine Hotel, North Berwick". Written in purple ink. Docketed at foot in another hand. Gummed slips from album attached to corners of reverse.

Agrees to preach (" 'make a few remarks' in your pulpit)" on Sunday morning, despite the fact that "my preaching days are over". "the fewer people who know it the better". Warns that he has neither physical nor mental strength left, and "By disobeying the medical tyrants" has previously got into trouble. Asks to be lent the necessary robes. Negligible browning from contact with woodpulp slip.