Music and Theatre

English playwright, famous for his series of Aldwych farces. In the letter he says he will be pleased to sit 'for the Bookman portrait'. 'I come up to town pretty frequently, however, and I daresay there is no desperate hurry, is there? I shall be in town again in about a fortnight's time, if that will do. I am afraid you would have to borrow a studio.' In the note he gives a suggested time for the meeting. The envelope is stamped and carries a postmark. Two items,

American actor. In the first letter he says he has Mackenzie's letter of 22 November inviting him to become vice-president of the Empire Art Council. 'I am deeply sensible of the honour you offer me and I am touched by the gesture. I accept most heartily and gratefully. | I have known the Empire Art Council for some time and have been keenly interested in its aspirations and have applauded its progress.

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. One page, 12mo. "I fear I shall not be able to join the meeting this afternoon through important business at the Haymarket." Signed "S. B. Bancroft". Paper and glue from previous mounting on the reverse.

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."

English actor (1895-1932), son of the actor Fred Terry (1864-1932) and his wife the actress Julia Emilie Neilson (1868-1957). One page, 4to. "I must write to you now just to say how much I enjoyed your letter, & the great good-fellowship & hospitable sport, that prompted the sending of it. All I can say is that you're all splendid to be so good & helpful to me, thank you again & again".

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 12mo. "My dear Lady Pollock, / Next Tuesday at one thirty with the greatest pleasure. / Ever yours truly / J. Forbes-Robertson". Negligible traces of previous mounting on recto of blank second leaf.

English actor (1846-1909). One page, 8vo. " " Gerraire! look look nana nana come to Papa, I'm dying. Oh God forgive me" "Coupeau" ". Warner's most memorable part was Coupeau in 'Drink' (1879), an adaptation of Zola's 'L'Assommoir'.

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, playwright, songwriter (1856-1914). One page, 12mo. "Dear Mrs. Merivale, / I enclose two stalls & hope you will enjoy a good laugh that is all I can you. / So glad to see you & Mr. Merivale looking so well today". Attached by blank verso to blank second leaf, which bears traces of previous mounting.

English actress (1852-1930), sister of Ellen Terry and member of celebrated theatrical dynasty. One page, 12mo. Evidently in reply to a request for an autograph. "Yours truly / Marion Terry".

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".

English actor (1846-1909). 4 pp, 12mo. Interesting letter relating to marriage and the acting profession. "I do not agree with the opinion expressed by Mr J. T. Green respecting the early & unhappy marriages of actors & actresses having to play love scenes together. I think in most cases of love making upon the stage it is looked upon as purely a matter of business. Doubtless there are exceptional cases, but the marriages of actors & actresses are mostly happy - Mr. & Mrs. Kendal. playing lovers - a long life of married happiness - Mr. & Mrs. Edmund Compton - Mr.

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.

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."

Singer (1744-1816?). Signature cut away from letter, 16mo. "[...] What is the date of the affair. / Every yours lovingly / Mary Davies".

Welsh actor, dramatist and theatre director (1905-1987). One page, 16mo. "I am afraid I am filming at the moment as well as playing in the theatre, and could not fit anything else in - I am so sorry."

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.

English actor and theatre manager (1830-1906). The photograph, a portrait of a formally-dressed Toole staring straight ahead, approximately 5½ inches by 4, somewhat creased, crudely mounted and bearing traces of paper and glue. The note, not in Toole's hand but signed by him, 28 April 1898, to an unnamed female correspondent, no place, one page, 8vo. "Dear Madam / Here is my Autograph as you wish / Yours truly / J. L. Toole". Two items,

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.

English actress (1872-1949), made a Dame of the British Empire in 1941. Blue "letter card" with printed stamp, addressed in autograph to "Mr Walter Wood / 7 Theresa Terrace / Hammersmith". "Many thanks for your kind invitation for June 29th which I am very sorry to say we are unable to accept owing to a previous engagement for that day. We are very busy just now rehearsing for revivals, but later on I hope we shall meet again after all. It has been most unfortunate both times missing each other. With many regrets about the C G." With traces of paper and glue to reverse.

English actor (1864-1932), brother of Ellen Terry and member of the celebrated theatrical dynasty. Apparently in reply to a request for an autograph. "Yours always sincerely / Fred: Terry / 20th July '90". Traces of mount and glue on blank reverse.

English actor (1864-1932), brother of Ellen Terry and member of the celebrated theatrical dynasty. One page, cropped, 12mo. "My dear Jean, / I wish you had been in Bolton. I would have liked to have seen you. / I am so glad you have had such a chance, and, my dear, I wish you every success in your work, but above all, good health in your life. / How nice of Mayhew to say good things about me, - and how sweet of you to tell me. Bless you both. / My love to you, my dear, and to your mother when you write to her.

Actor-manager (1805-77). One page, 8vo, neatly mounted. "An two men ride of a horse one must ride behind" / "Shakspeare" / Henry Compton. / Theatre Royal, / Haymarket. / Jany. 24th. 1870."

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. The first, signed on Wyndham's behalf by "A. R. S." "I find that instead of putting down Sir Robert Morier's address in my note-book, I simply noted down the evening. Will you kindly send me the address." The second, "Very many thanks. If my rehearsals for my "off season" piece permit me, I shall be very happy to come. Will you kindly grant me a few days' grace to ascertain." Both letters with damage to blank second leaf, including traces of glue and mount. Two items,

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 actress (1872-1949), made a Dame of the British Empire in 1941. 2 pp, 8vo. "Many thanks for your kind note. I shall be delighted to come down on Sunday May 28th. & stay till Monday afternoon. I may be rather a quiet sort of guest as this part is a great tax on me - but a day in the country with you sounds most tempting."

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 8vo. "I shall be delighted to come and lunch with you on Thursday, June 11th., if that will suit your convenience, and the invalid promises to be quite well by that time!" Traces of mount glued to reverse of blank second leaf.

Theatre manager (died 1926). The first, typewritten, to John Cabourn, 1 February 1906, on letterhead of Haymarket Theatre, one page, 8vo. "I would see you with pleasure, but I am sorry to say that I am too busy to do so at present." The second, in autograph, to [?] Pryce, 21 June 1916, on the letterhead of the Haymarket Theatre ("LESSEE & MANAGER MR. FREDERICK HARRISON"), 1 page, 12mo. He says he has been thinking about his correspondent, and hoping that he would come. "I enclose with pleasure two stalls" (not present). Traces of mount glued to reverse. Two items,

Actor and playwright (1891-1948). Director of the French Players, 209 Nelson House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1. One page, 8vo. "The only programme you havent got is of: "On Ne Badine pas avec l'amour." "

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. "At present & for some time past I am & have been absorbed in work preparing a New Year production. In 2 weeks, I go out of the & will then go into the play untrammeled by other matters."