Autograph Letters

Dramatist and actor (1834-84). One page, 12mo. "My dear Simpson: / I am getting the dates of the performances and sums paid and in a day or two will call on you and fix up the affair." Traces of glue and paper to the blank reverse.

(1762-1830), King of Great Britain and Ireland. One page, 12mo. Large florid signature "George PR", 2 inches by 4, on piece of paper 3 inches by 8. To the right and below signature: "By His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. / These in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to authorize you by beat of Drum or otherwise, to raise so many Volunteers in any County within that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and <...>". Slight discolouration to paper.

English actor-manager (1837-1910). "Dear Miss Tennyson, / "Reading a play" is very actable, and would suit an actor like Chas. Collett, & important & voluble, & there are several who would make a success of it. But I'm afraid I am not one of them. Sorry to have kept the MS. so long. [...] MS. [not present] returned herewith registered."

Statesman (1761-1830). One page [8vo- sm. folio folded in two]. "Particular engagements" prevent him from dining wiht the friends of "Mr Old Wood(sic)". [Other half of sheet has address and Tierney's frank.] With (laid down): contemporary cuttings from newspaper, obituary of Tierney abd a brief account of Pit and Tierney's duel.

Loose leaf, presumably formerly endpaper of book, 8vo, inscribed "For A.J.A. Symons from Holbrook Jackson" with address and date.

English actor-manager (1837-1910). Interesting letter exemplifying the importance of dentistry to the acting profession. 3 pp, 12mo, on mourning paper. "You know I've been away, on Tour with the "Lions" and after that, I took a jaunt to Tronville & Rouen, just returned with a broken tooth. - I've had to be patched up on tour, & have quite given up the idea of a good looking mouth. Any way I shall be glad if you will put a lower front tooth in. I will come to you to-morrow Wednesday afternoon about 3.30. in the hope you'll be free.

Clerk of Assize for the Midland Circuit (1868-1956), son of the actor Sir Squire Bancroft (1841-1926) and the actress Marie Effie Wilton (1839-1921). The letter, 12 May 1926, one page, 8vo, on mourning paper, with embossment White Lodge, Westgate-on-sea. "Pray excuse a typewritten letter. / To certain specified "comrades of the Stage, members of the Garrick Club, in grateful remembrance of their friendship", my father by his Will bequeathes a souvenir.

Painter, President of the Royal Academy (1836-1919). Four pages, 8vo. As follows: " I never thanked you for your postcard & its information which adds greatly to the interest of the drawing. " is puzzling certainly, but so unlike "canonico" that I can hardly think it can have been an error in the transcript of that word. I have not yet discovered the other two sketches I possess . . .

Dramatist (1849-1904). One page, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. "I am very much obliged for the ticket, and will certainly go. I am so glad you have got such a good chance, and I will "signify the same" (i.e. my gladness) "in the usual way".

English Catholic nobleman (1847-1917). One page, 12mo. "Madam, / I beg to comply with your request for my autograph. / I am / Your obedient servant. / Norfolk E[arl] M[arshal]".

Diplomat and administrator (1826-1902). 2 pp, 12mo. A diplomatic refusal. "Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to enlist under your banner, if I thought there was the slightest chance of my being able to write anything that would suit you.

Theatre producer (1908-1973). "Thank you so much for your letter. I entirely appreciate your difficulties and I am most grateful to you. I hope that L. E. Berman can let me have the original manuscript as I should be most grateful. / I am sorry you have not received the photographs as promised and I will look into this immediately." Not in the best of condition: creased and grubby.

Statesman (1831-1907). One page, 12mo. "Dear Sir / Please send my parliamentary papers to Portland Place henceforward. / Yours faithfully / George J Goschen". Traces of mount adhering to blank verso.

English actor-manager (1837-1910). One page, 12mo, in stamped envelope adressed in autograph. "Dear Miss Tennyson. / There are no vacancies at present at the Adelphi. I shall be happy to remember you when opportunity affords - With congratulations on your progress. / Yours very truly / Henry G. Neville

English actor-manager (1858-1939), knighted in 1916. One page, 8vo. "Dear Miss Paget. / Of course I remember you. I will be delighted to see your protege. / Yours sincerely / F R Benson". Creasing to one corner, and traces of previous mounting on reverse.

Lord Chancellor of England (1837-99). One page, 12mo. Marked "Confidential". "I send for your perusal a letter I have recd fm. Sir F. - you will of course treat it as quite confidential & destroy it when you have read it. It will at least serve to shew that I have done what I cd." Traces of gummed paper from mounting adhering to blank verso.

English actor (1853-1915), admired for his melodramatic villains. The first, to Mr Philip, 14 December 1903, St. James's Theatre, one page, 12mo. "Herewith a cheque for one guinea in exchange for the dinner ticket you sent me a week or so since". The other three all written to Allan Gomme in 1914, with the letterhead 29 St. James's Street. The first of these, March 12, one page, 12mo. "I shall have great pleasure in attending the Inauguration Ceremony of the Burbage Memorial on Monday next, and the luncheon afterwards". The second, March 13, one page 12mo.

English actor-manager (1837-1910). Note, undated, Studio, 524 Oxford Street, Marble Arch, 2 pp, 12mo, somewhat grubby. He suggests a time for him to see her the following day. Letter, "Friday" (no date), on letterhead of the Olympic Theatre, 2 pp, 12mo. "Would you mind letting me hear your voice. I think I could offer you Florette in the "Orphans" if you felt that kind of part, - perhaps you would kindly give me a call tomorrow Saturday at about 12, at the Theatre." Letter, 5 September 1878, on letterhead of the Olympic Theatre, 2 pp, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph.

Theatre critic (1891-1974). The first, one page, 12mo, with letterhead of the Garrick Club, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. "This comes of believing what you are told by Past Presidents of the O. U. D. C. "Julius Caesar" might shuffle through as history, but you have one on Romeo." The second, 6 October 1942, on letterhead of The Observer, one page, 8vo, in stamped typed envelope. "Many thanks for your letter. I was relying on Parker's 'Who's Who in the Theatre' which made no mention of 'Queen Mary'. I shall tell him to get this right.

Costume architect and archaeologist (died 1950). He was delighted to hear from him again, and is glad that his mother is still with him. "I may be free from my refugee after Christmas: then my one spare room would be free. You might be disposed to come down for a night [...] May the bold venture be a gigantic success".

English dramatist (1838-89). One page, 12mo, on mourning paper. "I am sorry I forgot the card. Did you get the stalls all right / In any way I can serve you / I am / Yours faithfully / J. Albery". Docketed in a small hand in ink. Minimal loss to one corner. Bearing traces of previous mounting.

English actor-manager (1837-1910). One page, on monogrammed paper. "Dear Mrs. Lewis. / I shall be delighted to accept your kind invitation for the 4th July. / Sincerely yours / Henry Neville". Heavily creased and with slight tear to one edge, and with traces of paper and glue on reverse of blank second leaf.

Head Constable of Liverpool. He discusses the prospect of Johnson being appointed Chief Constable of Lancashire, promising instruction and a place inat his office. He praises his active nature and describes the high opinion which "distinguished officers" have of him.

Bohemian musician and pianist. One page, 8vo, sl. batterd but the text is unaffected, and clear. "My dear Mr Masson/ Every bottle drawn by your beautiful corkscrew shall be emptied to your good health and that of your sister [presumably Elizabeth Masson, vocalist and teacher, see DNB], and you will both live in our recollection as highly valued and long tried friends. With best thanks . ..... I. Moscheles

Bold signature on paper cut to 4" x 1", some staining marginally affecting clarity.

"Westminster" neatly written on a piece of 12mo paper. Beneath this, in another hand, "With Westminster's Compliments". The recto of the blank second leaf attached to a piece of paper torn from an autograph album.

Religious, devotional and educational writer (1815-1906). Three pages, 8vo, light foxing not affecting clarity of text, laid down. A good letter about her relatively new educational venture in which she clarifies the status of the prospective pupil. "[The school] has not been established for the children of an upper class". She claims that the groundwork is well-laid, repeats that classes are mixed, recalling her own education on the Isle of Wight - "I certainly never gained any harm from it". She describes St Bonifaces as it is ("in its infancy", few boarders, the need for a governess).

English music-hall comedian (1869-1954). Fragment, 2¼ inches square, cut from letter. "yours / Geo. Robey". Mounted on a piece of paper, 12mo, docketed "Comedian / known as Prime Minister of Mirth / Made many successes in Pantomime / Invested as a Commander of the order of British Empire for his remarkable work in raising many thousand for war charities."

Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer (1769-1844), the most successful advocate of his day. One page, 12mo. "My dear Sir / If you will excuse so short a notice & happen to be disengaged on Wednesday next pray do me the favour to join a small party which I have hastily made up with Lord Lyndhurst at dinner here at seven oClock/ Your truly / Abinger / Wednesday 16th. at 7." Scarlett had succeeded Lyndhurst as Lord Chief Baron at the end of the previous year. Discoloured and with heavy traces of mount adhering to blank verso.

One page, 4to. Difficult handwriting. "Sir / On my return to this Cottage from Houghton I had the favor of your letters. I enclose a letter to Ld. Sandwich [...] I also enclose a letter to Sr. Horace Man [...]" Sir Horace Mann (1701-86) was British envoy at Florence. Docketted on verso of second leaf, "Ld. Orford, inclosing one to Ld. Sandwich wch was imediatly [sic] delivd. [...] Ensign Commis at Patna." Creased, and with loss to second leaf from removal of a seal.