DRAMATIST

3pp., 8vo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with remains of stub along one edge. Second leaf inserted into a paper windowpane mount. Written in a hurried and difficult hand. Taylor writes that he wishes to have a portrait put into a case 'by the workman you employ for such work'. He gives instructions, concluding 'The portrait I think the most satisfactory that has yet been taken of me.' The National Portrait Gallery possesses an albumen carte-de-visite of Taylor ('1864 or before') by John & Charles Watkins.

2pp., 12mo. Good, on aged paper. He writes to decline Carpenter's 'flattering' offer: 'I now find my acceptance of an office in your Society though purely honorary, would be apt to be misinterpreted [...] I have another reason - that I am taking some part in endeavouring to form a great Author's Society of another kind, and it would look rather <?> and impudent to be playing the fiddle in all parts of the orchestra.'

1 p, 4to. Good, on lightly-aged paper, and still attached to a leaf removed from an autograph album. His troupe 'play in Manchester on the 11th. Jany. for one week. Now, observe! Can you effect an engagement for a week previous to or subsequent to that period - or both subsequent and previous.' Knowles will be in London, 'please God, next week', and the recipient's 'attention deserves and has' Knowles's gratitude. A postscript reads: 'Miss Elphinstone achieved a complete triumph in Edinburgh, the reception was great indeed. You know our terms'.

4to, 1 p, 21 lines. On creased and lightly-foxed paper, with a couple of closed tears (not affecting text, which is clear and entire). May refer to the 1928 revival of van Druten's play 'Young Woodley' (previously banned by the censor), or (which is more likely) to his 'After All' (1929).

On a piece of wove paper roughly 4.5 x 9 cm. Good, clear signature on lightly aged paper. Reads 'my dear Sir, | Yrs always truly | [signed] P. Hoare'. Reverse reads '<...> am at a loss how to answe<...> | <...>ing the progress of the Anna<...> | <...>- opportunity of asking "Ho<...> | <...>t of the Elgin Marbels, whic<...>'.

One page, creased and marked, text in pencil but legible. An explanatory docket in another hand: "Epigram by Moncrieff - a blind man's writing". The Epigram reflects this situation, text "translated" below in another hand: "Oer me, you've this advantage, great indeed | What I may write at pleasure you may read | But still I've one advantage in Fate's spite - | You cannot make me read the stuff I write!"

4to: 1 p. With mourning border. Good, with slight wear to edges. 'Nearly every publisher in London has been at me with a proposal that I should write a book of reminiscences'. The answer to Watson's 'friend's friend' is that Pinero is 'not inclined for the task'. 'Perhaps at some future time I may feel differently disposed, but at present my mind is bent on other work.' Asks Watson to accept 'hearty thanks' for his 'kind interest'.

One page, quarto. Good, on lightly aged and creased paper, with strip from mount adhering to right-hand margin. He is pleased to be of assistance to General Ponsonby and his officers, and is happy to agree to the authorisation for Banso, as far as it concerns him. His English rights have been purchased by Curtis & Brown of London, to whom application must be made. He does not think they will ask for any remuneration. Asks the recipient to pass on his respects to the general, and in a postscript wonders whether he can tell him a good story concerning a lion hunt.

One page, on piece of grey card roughly three and a half inches by four and a half wide. Very good. Twelve lines and one-line postscript in Sutro's tiny and difficult hand. Sends his 'sincerest congratulations on the best volume of memoirs I have read this many a day' (Hicks published his autobiography in 1910). 'There isn't a dull line in it from start to finish; I could dine out for a week on the stories'. Reference to Irving and other actors. Ends 'A damned good book, Seymour! Tous mes compliments!' Postscript reads 'This does NOT require an answer!'

Four pages, 12mo. Very good, with unobtrusive remains of stub along one edge. In interesting letter discussing the state of the English stage. Her tardy response is due to 'pressure of work". 'What you say about the present condition of the stage is only too true.

American children's author, etc. One page, 8vo, good condition. "I beg to enclose my subscription to 'The Poetry Journal' for 1916."

One page, 12mo. Good, though aged and foxed. 'My best thanks & gratitude for your noble notice | Were you ever in low spirits If so sympathise with me I feel as if I would never wish to be acted again . . Chastelard the first night my god almighty ! ! ! - | Your sincere friend | W G Wills'. Chastelard is a character in Wills's play 'Marie Stuart' (1874).

Dramatist and novelist. One page, 8vo, good condition. In a difficult hand, he says that he has heard from [M. Rey?] that he hasn't concluded his engagement in Brussels and has no interest in the role mapped out except in a few days. He goes on to talk of the work involved in corrections which has prevented him from sending a "manuscript exact". Note: The place and date are written in another hand on the reverse.

The Dictionary of National Biography states that T. J. Dibdin (1771-1841, closely associated with Sadler's Wells, Drury Lane and the Surrey Theatre) wrote 'nearly two thousand songs and about two hundred operas and plays'. This list, which covers the whole of his life from his earliest known work in 1789 to his death in 1841, is compiled with considerable care on the rectos and some of the versos of 79 bound and numbered leaves (most being the letterhead of the North-East Coast Exhibition, of which E. Rimbault Dibdin was the Director).

Playwright (1855-1934), knighted in 1909. One page, 8vo. "19th May, 1900. / Dear Mr Burton, / Many thanks. / Yours very truly / Arthur W. Pinero". In bad condition, with tear through signature and paper and glue from mount stuck to reverse.

English dramatist (1784-1862). One page, octavo. Ruckled, and with several closed tears. Reply to request for autograph. Reads 'Dear Sir, | Here it is. | Yours truly, | James Sheridan Knowles.'

English playwright (born 1934). 1 page, 8vo. In good condition. He thanks his correspondent for 'your sweet first night telegram which was so much appreciated and so very welcome. | We have had our problems and crises but all seems now to be under control (touching wood, or any other object that protects the rash!) Please come and see it in London.' Signed 'R Harwood'.

English playwright (1851-1929; DNB). 1 page, 12mo. In good condition, with negligible spotting. He will be ready the following Saturday and, as far as he knows, the one after as well. Apologises for not being able to 'get to your place, as I had hoped. But for the past for fortnight I have been on some work at the "Mail" office which meant my going earlier than usual.' Sends best wishes for 'a good time', and his regards to Mrs Jerrold. Signed 'Hry Arthur Jones'.

English actor and dramatist (1824-79; DNB). On slip of paper, 1½ inches by 4 inches, probably cut from letter. Discoloration to two corners caused by mounting. Paper creased and with almost imperceptible closed tear. Florid and attractive signature. Neatly docketed in pencil on reverse.

English dramatist (fl. 1882; see Boase's 'Modern English Biography'). 1 page, on slip of paper 1½ inches by 4. Grubby and creased, and attached to another piece of paper, docketed in pencil. 'Dr Sir / I amin very good hopes of getting played very shortly - I think at Covent Garden. | Yrs siny | T H Reynoldson | Being sorely off for cash I shall feel very much indebted for the 13/- this morning. -'

English playwright. 'Faithfully yours | Henry Arthur Jones | Feby 4/28'. Pasted to a piece of docketed card. Damp stained.

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.

Playwright under the name Walter Gordon. One page, 16mo, on mourning paper. "My dear Croker / Monday is reserved for you - I enclose one more autograph and one of the three you want - / Yours very sincerely / William Gowing" Docketed in pencil "of the Olympic Theatre". Negligible traces of mount to the reverse.

Anglo-American dramatist (1901-57). One page, 8vo. "How very, very nice of you to write - and thank you so much for seeing my play twice and liking it. / It was all very disappointing and sad - and I dont think there is anything else to say. But I did appreciate your letter: thank you so much."

Asks correspondent to give the trunk to the bearer ("the Lewisham carrier") if it has arrived, "and I shall take the first opportunity of calling to settle the expense". Grubby and creased, with glue and paper from mounting on reverse of otherwise-blank second leaf.

He has heard that "a prospectus of the Company now being formed for the establishment of an English Opera Theatre in London has been sent to you at Thurloe Square", but he sends another with a few words. "I think that we have undertaken a good work: and I feel confident that, were the Company established, we should prosper." Needs to fill list of shareholders by 13 inst. Asks his correspondent to take a few shares "for the love of an art, which, if not your own, is akin to it".

Dramatist (1836-1917) and editor of Punch from 1862-1906. One page, 12mo. The printed part is laid out like a telegram, with a reference number, and the letter, although signed "FCB" does not appear to be in Burnard's hand. "Dear Sir / I am head over ears in engagements & business next week. [...] to you ce qu'arrivera." With postscript "Just come from Germany". In parlous condition, frayed, and with holes and tape marks from previous mounting.

Playwright and founder of Dockland Settlements (died 1966). 4 pp, 12mo. "So many apologies for taking you down to the Savoy for nothing, but the moment Mrs Potter told me she had to motor down to Staines I 'phoned all over the place in an attempt to stop you but I suppose it was too late. [...] I am very anxious for you to play a rather important part in my new play which Mrs Potter is now producing.

Playwright (1902-1991). The typed letter, 8 February 1967, one page, 8vo. An interesting letter. "I am back again! I have just had a note from Murray Macdonald. He tells me he is going to direct a new play by Tam and Maggie Williams, probaly [sic] in July. The Williams' want Gladys Cooper [English actress, 1888-1971] for it but it is a small part and she has not said "Yes" or "No" yet. She spole to Murray about "The Limit" and told him she would like to do it at Guilford. So please, please convince her that the play to do is the one by ME and not by Williams!

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.