Autograph Letters

English actor-manager (1862-1951), apparently written to an "angel". "Thank you for your letter. / It is a humorous sketch for 3 or four people lasting 23 minutes with lots of 'Punch' & a wonderfully funny part wh. whould show me off. My offer runs to Easter and all that is if only I can find what they want in advance. Voila!" Negligible traces of previous mounting on blank 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.

Boys' story writer. 2pp., 8vo. He is pleased that she and her brother enjoyed "The King's Scout" (the "nicest women" enjoy their brother's books), and that she would like his autograph. He is sending her another book with autograph letters from himself and the illustrator, "Mr Masefield". "Mr. Masefield's is not a very good specimen but it is the only one I can find at present."

Poet and man of letters (1784-1842). He reports that Chantrey (presumably the sculptor) left home and had "professional matters" to keep him away for some time. Asker[Asher?] might not be contactable, though he will"chance" a letter to him.

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).

Bibliographer (1807-1863). Total 5pp., three 8vo, one 4to, mainly concerning his exploration of his own family history (Boteville, etc.).

Theatre critic. One page, 8vo, small piece of signature torn off with loss of "illi" of William. Concerning a "summons" (to a Fireside Club" dinner) which he could not obey being in Edinburgh on "postal censorship business". With: a printed card announcing the next Fireside Club dinner, Oct. 191[9] on which Archer has written "Hope to be present" with his signature, and another hand has written in the place and date. Two items,

British Whig prime minister (1764-1845). One page, 8vo, with crested seal in red wax adhering to remains of second leaf. "My dear Mr. Arch-Deacon / I have just received a letter from the Bishop, saying that he will be here on Friday, to stay till Monday. I wish you could be persuaded to meet him here, & cannot help hoping that your intended visit to Balmbro' may not prove an insuperable obstacle to your affording us that pleasure - / I am ever most faithfully yours / Grey." In bad condition: with extensive tears repaired with archival tape.

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."

(died 1904), wife of Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar. Second daughter of Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond and Gordon. One page, 12mo. "<...> so unhappy / Y. most sincerely / Augusta K Saxe Weimar / May 6th / 83". Docketted beneath this "Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar. Two grease stains to recto, and four pieces of gummed paper from mounting on the blank verso.

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."

American loyalist. He is returning a policy from which his "Liquors" have been mistakenly excluded. He asks for his cellar to be insured.

Canadian lawyer and English Master of the Rolls (1752-1832). Part of ALS signed, referring to "Sir Alexr Cochrane's propositions as to prizes that may be taken in conjunct expeditions on the coast of America" on which he does not feel able to give directions.

Novelist, author of "Love on the Dole" (1903-1974). One page, 8vo. He says simply "Your letter was handed to me yesterday./ I hope these few words are what you want."

Sculptor (1799-1872). Clipped signature from an appeal to the Artists' Benevolent Fund. Thomas Phillips, portrait painter (1770-1845), signature is on the same piece of paper

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.

Novelist (1864-1930). He announces the birth of his first child, with comment on its colour.

Irish civil servant ((1861-1915). He hopes for a meeting in London. "I want very much to see you for a few minutes".

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

Surgeon (1805-1873). He discusses the book, "Bell on Expressions" which he is sending, discussing the illustrations tongue-in-cheek.

Politician and art collector (d.1854). He thanks him for the tract on the Militia Bill, giving his opinion of its cogent argument against the measure.

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.

General. One page, 8vo. He describes his enclosure of a banker's order to pay the rent on a property he is about to occupy.

Soldier (1783-1868). Stained and worn but contents intact and legible, responding to condolences on his wife's death. what it means to him, and what her last days were like.

Irish war correspondent amd miscellaneous writer (1820-1907). 2pp., 8vo. One signed twice by Russell, the other initialled. The statement gives details of three articles contributed to the Miscellany, including "The Lewis - What is it?".

Dramatist, historian and poet (1626-1698). Signature cut from a document (Howard was an auditor of the Exchequer) with above date and a few words from the text, laid down.

Irish war correspondent. 2pp., 8vo. He produces some badinage about an invitation card, then comments on the situation in Egypt: "I wish the Powers - which they aren't by the by - had let our fat friend Ismail [Pasha] alone just tightening the bit a little & and then there would be none of this darkness over the land of Egypt . . . ", concluding with jocular mis-spellings of "poetical".

Sculptor (1775-1856). Work takes precedence over "gaieties" so he cannot accept an invitation.

Diplomat. One page, 8vo. He asks for a pair of Chinese slippers to be added to her brother's account and warns her against a "maddish charlatan" with whom he has crossed swords.

c. 1.5" x 3", in a minute but distinct hand, 16 lines commmencing "They will by no means give the title of Saint to one of the Apostles or Evangelists of the LOrd . . . ", concluding with the apparent source of the lines "A Friendly Conference 48".