Music and Theatre

English actor (1826-81). A tiny studio photograph (an inch by three-quarters of an inch) of Sothern in the role with which he is forever associated, that of Lord Dundreary in Tom Taylor's 'Our American Cousin' (1858). Head and shoulders, looking slightly to the left, sporting a monocle and a raffish look, a centre-parting, moustache, and the sideburns which gave a new word to the English language, "dundrearies". Mounted and glued to a torn sheet of paper also bearing two signatures cut away from letters, the first "E. A. Sothern" and the second "Ted".

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".

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'.

He apologises for not answering sooner. His secretary was away for Whitsun "and I have been very busy rehearsing every day for the Theatrical Garden Party." He thinks Wyndham's scheme a good one, but has no interest in it himself, having too many responsibilities at present. He is sure Sir John Martin Harvey will suggest who to ask to become trustees. Grubby paper, with inkstains in margins affecting a couple of words of text.

On letterhead of the Guildhall School of Music. Did not reply sooner as he left London "immediately after my concert with the B.B.C." Is so "very much touched by your charming letter" that he is "venturing to send you an autographed Photogravure of myself". Creased and with some loss to two corners. Glue and paper adhering to reverse.

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".

The 1889 note: "Let me know whether you care to publish poetry - I can send you 3 stanzas". The other note: "I regret much that I am already engaged to dinner on Tuesday. If it were probable that yr party sat late into the night I would gladly join you in the coffee state of yr festivities". Two items,

Gives briefest details of next step of a tour of Scotland. His address will be "Marine Hotel, North Berwick". Written in purple ink. Docketed at foot in another hand. Gummed slips from album attached to corners of reverse.

Smart, Sir George Thomas 1776-1867, musician and orchestral conductor. Envelope fornt with address as above, c.4 x 2.5", signed by Smart, text clear despite some soiling.

`(later Lord Melbourne, Prime Minister, 1779-1848), 4pp., 4to, (2pp., of text, 44 lines), not bound,2 stab marks, printed by J. Barfield, Wardour St, Soho, nr fine. It opens, "Ah e'er I sail for Naples to attend/ The last sad moments of my dearest friend . . .. This was the Epilogue to the ill-fated Drury Lane.production of May 1802. It was also published within a discussioln of the play in "Extracts of the Journals and Correspondence of Miss Berry from the Year 1783 to 1852 (3 vols, 1865), II.194-199, and is also printed in the 1802 edition of Miss Mary Berry's Works.

(W.H. Weiss, vocalist and composer (1820-1867)). 2pp., 4to, torn, partly repaired crudely, discussing Willoughby Weiss’s current tour with “Miss Kemble”, the possibilities for a concert on the Isle of Man, his recent hectic tour (listing the many places he hasperformed at recently).

Actor (1830-1906). One page, 8vo, .good. With enclosure. He encloses his autograph (present - a tag from “Paul Pry” signed by Toole) and says he will be in Belfast in October.2 items,

French composer. 2pp., 8vo, , referring to a list he has added to the letter of 8 pieces he would like to publish if his correspondent can cooperate. He has the proofs of To the Hills “a votre disposition”, and describes in a postscript a “fantaisie” he has justfinished.

Novelist, dramatist and journalist (1831-1894). One page each, 8vo, good. In the first, he is sorry that “Fred” has been bothered in a particular“matter”. In the second, he says simply “Here is the Valentine you askfor”.

Swedish singer. She has signed the front of a small envelope as follows: "Christine Nilsson-Rouzaud / 1875"., slight marking and fold marks but signature clear.

He has "stopped all orders at T.R.H. [Haymarket?]" and cannot, therefore, ask other managers for favours.

Actor then Theatre Manager (see DNB). "unexpected circumstances" oblige him to postopone the opening of the Adelphi Season until June next. The cast will not assemble until the 12th June. It appears to be in a secretarial hand signed by Murray.

Singer (DNB). Bold, underlined Signature, c.3.5 x 1.5". Other side the following few words, "towns, will tempt me [to] make a trial, so I do [not?] think I shall visit".

Ballet. Fletcher was a bookseller specialising in Performing Arts and founder of the Society for Theatre Research. One page, 4to, chipped, four small tears, fold mark, punch-holes, small hole in centre, but complete and legible. He thanks Fletcher for submitting a print to "us" (Leslie and Niles?) but they decline regretfully, requesting others from the Romantic Period as they occur. "The 'Pas de Quatre' is most beautiful and now graces our walls." He requests an English translation of "Stepanow alphabet les Mouvements du Corps Humain".

Ann[a] Bishop, singer (1814-1884)(DNB). (No date) Three pages, 8vo, fair but legible, edge rough where extracted from an album.. She is sorry not to have been able to see her. She is travelling to Australia on that day and willbe in England in four months. She apologises for the writing, giving the reason. (1868) Four pages, 8vo, good condition but edge rough where extrcated from an album. She would be pleased to meet Mrs Brewster in England and gives her brother's address ("Mr Riviere". She would be happy to give her singing lessons. Two items,

English actor, manager, director (1912-1998). One page, 4to. "Thank you very much for your letter. I enclose three post-cards, hoping that they will be of some use." Miss Wheldon was organising a charity fete. In bad condition: creased and torn, with holes for a ring-binder and annotated with a large ink cross.

English actor-manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1897. " "I don't pretend to be a particularly good sort of fellow: nor a particularly bad sort of fellow" / Caste. act I. / Jo. / S. B. Bancroft" Bancroft gave one of his finest performances as Captain Hawtree in Caste (1867). Negligible traces of previous mounting on reverse of blank second leaf.

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 12mo. "My dear Mr Stewart / I am so sorry, but I am engaged next Sunday. I wish it were otherwise. With very kind regards / Believe me to be / Sincerely / J. Forbes-Robertson." Traces of glue and mount on blank reverse.

Scotch critic and playwright (1856-1924), the Mr Gunn of G. B. Shaw's "Fanny's First Play". One page, 12mo, on the inside of a self-sealing stamped printed envelope addressed in autograph. "Dear Miss Rosenfeld / As I have had no answer to a letter I wrote to Mr Allardyce Nicoll [theatre historian, 1894-1976] some days ago, I imagine he may be out of town. I therefore write to say that I accepted his invitation to address the Mermaid Society on Thursday January 24th."