CENTURY

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[ Helen Faucit, actress. ] Autograph Signature ('Helena Martin') on part of letter.

Author: 
Helen Faucit [ Helena Saville Faucit, latterly Lady Martin ] (1817-1898), English actress
Publication details: 
31 Onslow Square [ London ]. No date.
£20.00

On 6 x 11 cm piece of paper., torn from the foot of a leaf. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Mr Martin sends kind wishes with Yours | Very affectionately | Helena Martin. | 31 Onslow Square.' The reverse reads: '[...] attend to <?> William's little ones are all laid up with scarlet fever, so there is no [...]'.

[ Olga Brandon, Australian actress. ] Corrected Typed prompt copy of first act of unpublished translation of 'La Tosca. A Drama in Four Acts by Victorien Sardou.'

Author: 
Olga Brandon (1863-1906), Australian actress; Victorien Sardou (1831-1908), French dramatist
Publication details: 
'Miss Olga Brandon, 4 Seaton Mansions, 213 Shaftesbury Avenue | W.C. [ London ]' [ Circa 1895. ]
£550.00

[1] + 32pp., 4to. Bound with brass clasps in grey paper wraps. On aged paper, in worn binding. A 'Duplicate Carbon Copy', with the stamp of Miss Dickens's Type Writing Office, 3, Tavistock Street, Strand. The first of the play's four acts. Text typed on rectos only, with stage directions in pencil on facing versos, and with numerous emendations (presumably by Brandon) in pencil throughout, including the deleting of a number of passages. Facing the first page is a pencil diagram of the stage setting.

[ 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'.

Author: 
Hal Collier, Victorian popular playwright, author of melodramas
Publication details: 
One play with stamp of 209 Northumberland Road, Southampton, the other two without place. All three undated [ Edwardian ].
£1,250.00

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. J. Cronin, Scottish author. ] Typescript of his play 'Jupiter Laughs'.

Author: 
A. J. Cronin [ Archibald Joseph Cronin ] (1896-1981), Scottish author
Publication details: 
'All communications to: Mrs. T. C. Dagnall, Messrs. A. M. Heath & Co., Ltd., 188, Piccadilly, W.1. [ London ]' Undated [ circa 1941 ].
£250.00

144pp., 4to. Stapled into red card wraps, with typed label on cover. A carbon copy with label of the London typing bureau Curtis and Page. The play was published in London by Victor Gollancz in 1941, with a second edition from the same publisher in 1954.

[ Richard Hearne, 'Mr. Pastry'. ] Corrected typescript of his unpublished autobiography 'Falling up the Ladder' ('Being the Life Story of Richard Hearne | Written at the Age of 48, - | just 48 years after | his first appearance on any stage.'

Author: 
Richard Hearne [ Richard Lewis Hearne ] (1908-1979), English actor, comedian ('Mr. Pastry'), producer and writer
Publication details: 
[ London, 1956. ]
£950.00

242pp., 8vo. With autograph emendations throughout. Unbound and stapled into chapters. In good condition, with light aging and rusting of staples. Typed title-page, with the book said to be written 'By Richard Hearne. Assisted (and sometimes hindered) by interpolations from "Mr.

[ Max Halbe, German 'Naturalist' dramatist. ] Typescript of an unpublished English translation of 'Youth. A Love Drama in Three Acts. By Max Halbe'.

Author: 
Max Halbe (1865-1944), German dramatist, a main exponent of Naturalism
Publication details: 
Mrs. Marshall's Type Writing Office, 126, Strand. [ London. ] 8 May 1900. Translated from the '(6th Edition) | Berlin, 1898.'
£350.00

86pp., 4to. With each of the three acts bound into separate grey wraps, with typed labels on covers. Internally in good condition, on aged paper, in worn and aged wraps. This unpublished anonymous translation predates the one by Sara Tracy Barrows, with an introduction by Ludwig Lewisohn, published in New York by Doubleday in 1916. There is no record of an English production.

[ Robins Millar, Scottish author. ] Duplicated typescript of unpublished play titled 'Lord Perricklees. Comedy in Three Acts.'

Author: 
Robins Millar (1889-1968), Canadian-born Scottish journalist, playwright, poet and writer, based in Glasgow
Publication details: 
Robins Millar, 9 Park Quadrant, Glasgow C3 [ Scotland ]. Undated [ 1920s? ].
£300.00

93pp., 4to. Bound with pink ribbon in buff card wraps. Creasing to front cover and first few leaves, otherwise in good condition, on aged paper, in aged and worn wraps. Ownership inscription on front cover and title-page: 'Robins MIllar | 9 Park Quadrant | Glasgow C3'. A high-society comedy, set in London. No record regarding this play has been discovered. Millar's papers are in the University of Glasgow.

[ Robins Millar. ] Typescript of unpublished play titled 'Bedside Manner. Comedy in 3 Acts'.

Author: 
Robins Millar (1889-1968), Canadian-born Scottish journalist, playwright, poet and writer, based in Glasgow
Publication details: 
Robins Millar, 9 Park Quadrant, Glasgow C3 [ Scotland ]. Undated [ 1930s? ].
£300.00

107pp., 4to. Stapled and attached with pink ribbon. Aged and worn, with last few leaves detached, with worn front cover only also detached. With a couple of manuscript emendations. Millar begins a full-page introduction: 'The mood of this play is gay comedy. | It arises from the threat of gossip in a small country town.' No record regarding this play has been discovered. Millar's papers are in the University of Glasgow.

[ Richard Walton Tully, American dramatist. ] Typescript of his play 'The Bird of Paradise'.

Author: 
Richard Walton Tully (1877-1945), American dramatist
Publication details: 
'Please Return | R. Percy Burton | Farmers Loan & Trust Co | 15 Cockspur Street | London SW'. Undated. [ Circa 1912. ]
£750.00

'The Bird of Paradise', Tully's best-known play, is set in Hawaii during the 'Revolutionary Days of the Early Nineties'. It was the subject of what the New York Times called 'one of the bitterest plagiarism suits on record'. A schoolteacher named Grace Fender was initially successful in her claim that it was based on her play 'In Hawaii', but the case was reversed on appeal. It was first produced in Rochester, USA, in December 1911, with productions at Daly's in New York in 1912, and the Lyric Theatre, London, in September 1915. A total of 158pp., 4to.

[ Dame C. V. Wedgwood, historian. ] Volume containing autograph 'List of Written Works since 1930', with notes and comments, and record of payments.

Author: 
Dame C. V. Wedgwood [ Cicely Veronica Wedgwood ] (1910-1997), English historian
Publication details: 
'Cicely Veronica Wedgwood. Her Book. presented to me in March 1933 by A. H. P.' [ List of books dating from between 1929 and 1947. ]
£1,250.00

39pp., 8vo. On good thick Whatman paper, dated 1874, in luxurious black embossed leather binding by J. Y. Knight & Co. of Leeds and London, with brass lock by Bramah (lacking key). In very good condition, in worn binding. Stamped in gilt on front cover is 'PRIVATE MEMA. | A. H. PAWSON'. On the first page Wedgwood has written: 'Cicely Veronica Wedgwood. | Her Book. | presented to me in March 1933 | by | A. H. P. | born 20th. July 1910 | educated | Norland Place School. 1915-1926. | Lady Margaret Hall. 1928-1931 | London School of Economics. 1932-5'.

[ Peter Ustinov, actor and playwright. ] Corrected typescript of his unpublished play 'The Man behind the Statue', performed under the management of Robert Donat at the Opera House, Manchester, in 1946.

Author: 
Peter Ustinov [ Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov ] (1921-2004), English actor and author [ Robert Donat (1905-1958), Oscar-winning actor ]
Publication details: 
'The property of: Robert Donat, 23 Three Kings' Yard, Davies Street, W.1. [ London ]' Undated [but only performed at the Opera House, Manchester, in 1946. ]
£580.00

158pp., 4to. Typed text on rectos only. With manuscript emendations (possibly in the hand of Judith Spearman, stage manager) throughout, including deletions and a few short additional passages, as well as stage directions. Makeshift thumb index at head. In fair condition, with moderate signs of age and wear, bound with pink ribbon into buff card covers. Typed label on front cover, together with 'Judith Spearman' and 'Effects' in pencil.

[ Nisim Aloni, Israeli playwright. ] Typescript, in French, of 'La Princesse Americaine de Nissim Aloni. Traduit par Ruth Koppel-Debel'.

Author: 
Nisim Aloni [ Nissim Aloni ] (1926-1998), Israeli playwright and translator, born in Bulgaria [ Ruth Koppel-Debel, translator ]
Publication details: 
[ Israel, circa 1963. ]
£350.00

74pp., 8vo. Stapled duplicated typescript, with pages on rectos only. In fair condition, with moderate signs of age and wear. Light staining at head, and discoloured title-leaf detaching. A few minor manuscript emendations, and '-Debel' added in manuscript to the translator's name. 'La Princesse Americaine' was first performed in 1963, and like Aloni's other early work was influenced by the European Theatre of the Absurd. An English translation of the play appeared in 1980, but OCLC WorldCat has no record of the publication of a French translation.

[ John Coulter, Irish Canadian playwright. ] Typescript of 'Sleep My Pretty One. A Play in Three Acts'.

Author: 
John Coulter (1888-1980), Irish Canadian playwright [ Laurence Olivier ]
Publication details: 
'Please return to: Laurence Olivier Productions, St. James' Theatre, King Street, London, S.W.1.' [ Circa 1951. ]
£400.00

136pp., 4to. Duplicated typescript (by Catherine Billinghust, Westminster) with pages on rectos only. Bound in grey card wraps, with red and black cloth spine and title typed on front cover. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. '12' in manuscript at head of cover. 'Sleep My Pretty One' has been described as 'a study of a young girl driven to distraction by the death of her mother and the, to her, totally unacceptable remarriage of her father'.

[ Unity Theatre, London, 1944. ] Unpublished typescript of the first Soviet thriller performed in London, under the title 'Comrade Detective': '"Face to Face" | A Soviet Thriller | by | Bros. Tour and L. Sheynin | Translated by Herbert Marshall'.

Author: 
Herbert Marshall [ Herbert P. J. Marshall ] (1906-91), English Russophile author, filmmaker, theatre designer and husband of Fredda Brilliant (1903-99) [ Bros. Tour and L. Sheynin [ Herbert Marshall ]
Publication details: 
'All enquiries to: | HERBERT MARSHALL | 5, Kensington Palace Gardens, | W.8. | Tel. BAYswater 3214.' [ London, 1944. ]
£500.00

114pp., 4to. Typescript by May Hemery Ltd in black and red ink, with pages on rectos only. In black card covers, with label on front. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear, in worn covers. See Steve Nicholson, 'British theatre and the Red Peril: the Portrayal of Communism 1917-1945': 'Originally called 'Face to Face', 'Comrade Detective' was translated, designed and produced by Herbert Marshall on the suggestion of the wife of the Soviet Ambassador.

[ J. W. Benson Ltd., Ludgate Hill, London watch and clock makers and gold and silversmiths. ] Trade catalogue of 'Silver Goods | Empire Plate | Canteens', profusely-illustrated and fully captioned.

Author: 
J. W. Benson Ltd., Ludgate Hill, London watch and clock makers and gold and silversmiths
Publication details: 
J. W. Benson Ltd., Ludgate Hill, London. '60th Edition, Section 'E' (x)'. Undated (1930s or earlier).
£120.00

[1] + 52pp., large 8vo (27.5 x 21.5 cm). Stapled in silver wraps with elegant design in pink and black. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight rusting to staples. Profusely illustrated with photographs of items captioned with prices.

[ Edward Knoblock, playwright and novelist. ] Unpublished typescript of 'The Great Exhibition | A Play in two Acts | with songs of the Victorian Days | by | Edward Knoblock'. With a Typed Note Signed from Joan Ling Ltd to W. J. MacQueen Pope.

Author: 
Edward Knoblock [ born Edward Gustavus Knoblauch ] (1874-1945), American-born British playwright and novelist, author of 'Kismet' (1911) [ W. J. MacQueen-Pope (1888-1960) ]
Publication details: 
21 Ashley Place, SW1, under label of Joan Ling Ltd, London. Without date.
£450.00

137pp., 4to. Typed text on rectos only. Bound with red ribbon into red wraps, with typed label on front cover. In fair condition, aged and worn, in heavily-aged wraps. Pencil annotations to the list of characters. Bound in before the beginning of almost every scene is a manuscript leaf carrying a page giving the layout of the set. The label of Joan Ling Ltd, Gloucester House, 19 Charing Cross Road, WC2, is pasted over Knoblock's typed address 21 Ashley Place on the title page. Knoblock's papers are at his alma mater Harvard.

[ General H. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. ] Typed Letter Signed to British military historian Barrie Pitt, declining to contribute to a publication, and

Author: 
H. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr (1934-2012), United States Army general, commander of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm [ Barrie Pitt ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 400 North Ashley, Suite 3050, Tampa, Florida 33602. 4 January 1994.
£180.00

1p., 4to. With a firm expansive signature which is certainly not duplicated, as it has indented the paper. On letterhead with design showing golden flagpole with flag in red with four white stars. Schwarzkopf declines to participate in what he describes as Pitt's 'momentous undertaking', explaining: 'To write such a piece and do so properly requires considerable time.

[ Clifton Suspension Bridge under construction, by J. L. Sachs of the Illustrated London News. ] Signed watercolour wash drawing of 'The site for Hungerford Suspension Bridge', showing the towers of the bridge on the banks of the Avon Gorge.

Author: 
J. L. Sachs [ illustrator for the Illustrated London News and theatre manager ] [ Isambard Kingdom Brunel; Clifton Suspension Bridge; Avon Gorge; Bristol ]
Publication details: 
'from J Sachs, 203, Strand' [ Abbott, Barton & Co., London Advertising Agents ]. Undated [ circa 1860 ].
£250.00

17.5 x 25 cm. In good condition, on lightly-aged and worn paper. In the bottom left-hand corner, in a close contemporary hand, in ink: 'The site for Hungerford Suspension Bridge. | from J Sachs, 203, Strand'. (203 Strand was the address of Abbott, Barton & Co., advertising agents.) In pencil at bottom left: 'Clifton -', with the word 'River' in lighter pencil towards the centre. The view, in grey pencil wash, shows a pleasing view down the Avon Gorge, with the Bridge's two towers the only part of the structure completed.

[ Eric Ambler, thriller writer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Eric Ambler') to military historian Barrie Pitt, regarding the award of an OBE and the gift of a book. With copies of two letters by Pitt to Ambler.

Author: 
Eric Ambler [ Eric Clifford Ambler ] (1909-1998), British writer of crime and espionage novels [ Barrie Pitt ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Av. Eugene Rambert 20, 1815 Clarens, Suisse [ Switzerland ]. 1 May 1981.
£450.00

1p. 8vo. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. With envelope addressed by Ambler to Pitt at Kennister in Somerset. Also present are copies of two letters to Ambler from Pitt, dated 2 January and 20 February 1980. In the first Pitt congratulates Ambler on the receipt of an OBE, reminds him of their previous correspondence through Peter Janson-Smith, and sends 'Part I of my trilogy on the North African campaign' ('If it gives you one tenth of the enjoyment I get from every one of your books, it will have been worth writing.').

[ Thomas Heron Jones, 7th Viscount Ranelagh. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Ranelagh') to an unnamed recipient, complaining of the actions of 'Mr. Clarke

Author: 
Thomas Heron Jones (1812-1885), 7th Viscount Ranelagh, leading figure in the volunteer movement [ later incorporated into the Territorial Army ] and "known for his links to glamorous women"
Publication details: 
7 New Burlington Street [ London ]. 16 April 1861.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. He is 'very much disgusted and indignant against Mr. Clarke for his Impertinence' in calling on the recipient, and has 'expressed as much to him'. He discussed with Clarke the question of the number of gentlemen contacting him about the matter, and hoped to put Clarke in touch with the recipient. The letter concludes: 'It seems Mr. Clarke, when I was out of the Room, took up your Letter addressed to me, and copied your name and direction, a most unwarrantable and unjustifiable act.'

[ William Ewart Gladstone, Liberal Prime Minister. ] Autograph Signature ('W E Gladstone') on frank to Colvile

Author: 
William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), British Liberal Prime Minister
Publication details: 
Fettercairn. 29 September 1839.
£28.00

On 7.5 x 11.5 cm. panel cut from front of envelope. In fair condition, lightly-aged. All in Gladstone's hand, it reads 'Fettercairn Septr. twentynine 1839 | A. Colvile Esq | Craigflower | Dunfermline | W E Gladstone'. Gladstone's signature is in the bottom left-hand corner, but is merely underlined, rather than being between two horizontal lines, as customary when franking.

[ Sir A. J. B. Beresford-Hope, Tory politician and author. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('A J B Beresford Hope') to W. de Boinville, thanking him for uncovering information about the poet Christopher Smart.

Author: 
Sir Alexander James Beresford Beresford Hope [ Alexander Hope; A. J. B. Hope; A. J. B. Beresford Hope ] (1820-1887), Tory politician and author
Publication details: 
Bedgebury Park, Cranbrook [ Kent ]. 4 February 1858.
£45.00

3pp., 12mo. Writing in a difficult hand, he thanks him for his very curious & interesting letter respecting Chr. Smart, of whose birthplace I had been previously ignorant, tho' his name was not unknown to me in connection with Horace'.

[ Lord William Pitt Lennox. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Willm P. Lennox') to an unnamed recipient, regarding the sale of a copyright to the London publishers Hurst & Blackett.

Author: 
Lord William Pitt Lennox (1799-1881), British Army officer and author [ Hurst & Blackett, London publishers ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Hall Place, Tunbridge. 16 July 1863.
£80.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition. The subject of the letter is probably Lennox's Fifty Years' Biographical Reminiscences', published by Hurst and Blackett in 1863. Lennox is 'extremely flattered' at the contents of the recipient's letter, but has 'disposed of the copy right to Messrs Hurst and Blackett. 13. Gr. Marlborough St.', to whom he refers the recipient. 'Had I been in London I would have done myself the pleasure of expressing my thanks in person'.

[ Farnham School; James Lackington ] Autograph Letter Signed ('S. Locke') to London bookseller James Lackington, including a list of schoolbooks he wishes to purchase.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Samuel Locke (c.1768-1849), Headmaster of Farnham School, 1800-1823 [ James Lackington (1746-1815), London bookseller ]
Publication details: 
Guildford [ Surrey ]. 1 November 1793.
£56.00

2pp., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He begins by asking Lackington to send a volume through his brother, and take back two volumes in exchange. 'I gave you 11S for them a few Weeks since, & tho' they are not one penny the worse, yet I cannot but expect you will allow yourself a fair profit'.

[ Robin Chapman, novelist and screenwriter. ] Corrected typescript of adaptation, from a translation by Jill Booty, of Joao Bethencourt's 'Pure Pornography'. Accompanied by a Typed Letter Signed to Chapman from Laurence Harbottle, on the subject.

Author: 
Robin Chapman, English novelist and screenwriter; Laurence Harbottle (1924-2015) [ Joao Bethencourt [ João Estevão Weiner Bethencourt] (1924-2006), Hungarian/Brazilian playwright; Jill Booty ]
Publication details: 
Typescript: 6a Sloane Square, London, SW1. Undated [circa 1966]. Harbottle's letter: on letterhead of Harbottle & Lewis, Solicitors, 34 South Molton Street, London. 8 December 1966.
£180.00

Typescript: 132pp., folio. Each page on a separate leaf, all of which are attached with metal clasps in a grey card folder, with the label of the International Copyright Bureau Ltd, London, on the front cover (as well as on the title page). In fair condition, lightly-aged and worn, with title leaf coming away. Text with a few minor manuscript emendations. Accompanying the typescript is Harbottle's letter, signed 'Laurence'. 1p., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper.

[ Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. ] Autograph Letter in the third person to 'M de Boinville', complaining of 'want of leisure'.

Author: 
Anthony Ashley Cooper (1801-1885), 7th Earl of Shaftesbury [ Lord Shaftesbury ] , British politician, philanthropist and social reformer
Publication details: 
On letterhead of St Giles's House, Cranbourne, Salisbury. 17 January 1856.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. He assures de Boinville that he 'much regrets his want of leisure to peruse the MS. that M de Boinville has been so good as to send him'. He concludes with the complaint that he is 'really so occupied that heh has not time for the discharge of the several duties that are imposed upon him'.

[ Charles Forbes René de Montalembert, Comte de Montalembert. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'le Cte de Montalembert'), in French, to an unnamed recipient

Author: 
Charles Forbes René de Montalembert (1810-1870), Comte de Montalembert [ Abraham Hayward; John Wilson Croker ]
Publication details: 
Paris. 26 April and 25 May 1856.
£180.00

Both in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: He thanks him for offering to translate his book ('The Political Future of England'), but considers his knowledge of English law too shaky to permit him to give any encouragement. He suggests that the recipient come to an arrangement with 'Mr. Abraham Hayward, Queen's Counsel, 1 King's Bench Walk, Temple', who is acting for de Montalembert in the matter.

[ Edward Law, 1st Earl of Ellenborough. ] Autograph Signature ('Ellenborough') on frank to the Duke of Wellington's private secretary Algernon Greville.

Author: 
Edward Law (1790-1871), 1st Earl of Ellenborough, Tory politician and Governor-General of India, 1842-1844
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£23.00

On 7 x 12 cm. panel cut from front of envelope. In good condition, lightly-aged. All in Ellenborough's hand, it reads 'Algernon Greville Esq | Apsley House | Ellenborough'.. As required with a frank, Ellenborough's signature is between two horizontal lines, in the bottom left-hand corner.

[ Sir James Robert George Graham, Whig politician. ] Autograph Signature ('J. R. G. Graham') on frank to the Duke of Wellington.

Author: 
Sir James Robert George Graham (1792-1861), 2nd Baronet, Whig politician
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£22.00

On 8 x 18.5 cm panel cut from front of envelope. In fair condition, lightly-aged and worn. All in Graham's hand, it reads 'His Grace | The Duke of Wellington | K. G. | Apsley House | J. R. G. Graham'. As is customary, Graham's signature is between two horizontal lines, in the bottom left-hand corner.

[ John Singleton Copley, Lord Lyndhurst. ] Autograph Signature ('Lyndhurst') on frank to the Duke of Wellington.

Author: 
John Singleton Copley (1772-1863), 1st Baron Lyndhurst [ Lord Lyndhurst ], Lord Chancellor of Great Britain
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£22.00

On 8 x 14.5 cm panel cut from front of envelope. In good condition, lightly-aged. All in Lyndhurst's hand, it reads 'His Grace | The Duke of Wellington KG | &c &c &c | Lyndhurst'. As is customary, the signature is between two horizontal lines, in the bottom left-hand corner.

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