Autograph Letters

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 12mo. "I have I regret to say already promised to do more than I ought to during this season, I mean in addition to all my regular work & so I am very sorry I cannot do what you suggest, although I am honoured by the wish of your Committee." With traces of previous mounting to the reverse of the blank second leaf.

[Real name Arthur Cecil Blunt] English actor (1843-1896). 2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Mrs Murray / I also was sorry not to put in an appearance on Sunday but I had a little work as you know to look over & after Douglas left me in the afternoon so many "casuals" dropped in that I could not well get out." He will have to give up the dinner party he had planned for Sunday, or postpone it till she returns from abroad. "I shall myself go I think to Brighton next Sunday as I can get two days of "the sea the sea the open sea!" " The letter is signed "Arthur Blunt".

Actor-manager (1859-1929), son of the actor and dramatist. "Dear Mr Cabourn / As Mr Barrie's new play has turned out there is no part in it that would have been at all suitable to yourself. I wish there had been." The reference is to "Alice-Sit-by-the-Fire" by J. M. Barrie (1860-1937), which, written for Ellen Terry and replacing his "Peter Pan" at the Duke of York's, ran for 115 productions. Loss to one of the lower corners.

Ambassador at Naples (-1842). "I have received my writ from the Lord Chancellor- & I am very much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken."

English actor (1814-1878). The first, 2 pp, 12mo, to Admiral Hornly. "The enclosed ticket is very much at your service - Had you been up a few weeks ago, I think I should have cut a better figure in Mrs. Hornley's eyes, than I can in the stupid part I am now acting - [...]". (According to the DNB at this time Wigan was playing Rittmeister Harfthal in Robertson's "Dreams".) The second, to Miss [?] Paterson, 3 pp, 12mo. "I have had the pleasure to send the Admiral a box for the Gaiety for Monday next.

Actor-manager (1803-78) at the Adelphi and Covent Garden Theatres.The first two, dinner invitations addressed to "My dear Pal", dated 22 January 1874 and 2 May 1875, both with letterhead 59 Belgrave Road, South Belgravia. The first, one page, cropped, 16mo., the second, one page, 12mo. The third, to "My dear Lane", one page, 12mo. " "One hour" is played for you all next week. What would you have more?" All three show traces of mounts. Three items,

Authoress. 2pp., 8vo, some staining marginally affecting text. She has drawn a devil carrying a book engulfed by flames with a woman hand on head saying "What & leave the world no copy". She adds a "Quotation by the Saturday Review" "Go go to H- & say I sent thee thither". She apologises for using half sheets and signs.

English actor (1846-1909). "Dr Dr. Davis / I have not sufficient time at my disposal to tell you of interview with Mrs. & your son her solution - I have settled to take her house & have paid £50 as deposit. I think you will agree with me that the house is really a much better one than 15. I cannot sufficently thank you Dr. Davis for your - Please accept renewed thanks". Negligible traces of previous mounting.

(c.1813-1900), wife of the Liberal Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone (1809-98). 2 pp, 12mo. "I am very sorry your note has not been answered. The truth is I am overwhelmed with applications & it is with very great regret that I must refuse your request. / I hope to be in Wells soon & in any case I could not make another engagement." Two spots of glue from previous mounting adhering to the reverse.

Dion Boucicault the younger. Actor-manager (1859-1929), son of the actor and dramatist. One page, 8vo. "Dear Mrs Hartland, / I wonder if you could see me here at 2-45 on Friday when I will give you my decision. / Yours very truly, / Dion: Boucicault." Slight creasing to two corners.

Botanist (1865-1938). Both 12mo. Both stamped and addressed in autograph to "F. O. Whitaker Esq. / 45 Elmdene Rd / Plumstead / S. E. 18". The first, with a crease to one corner: "I have just seen Mr Salmon who is anxious to be at the B M. Secl. meeting. Mon Tues or Wed in the next week (Jan 21 22 or 23) would suit both of us. Can you arrange for one of these days?" The second: "I have sent on the letter to Mr Salmon. Please call the meeting for Jan 15 as originally suggested." Both signed "A. B. Rendle". Two items,

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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?".

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. 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".

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.

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".

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.

Genealogist. One page, 8vo. He presents his compliments and says he will answer Buick's enquiry on his return to Dublin Castle.

Judge, jurist, and ecclesiatical lawyer (1845-1929). 3pp., 12mo, giving thanks for valuable information, describing his researches ("Rimbault's book" and correspondence), alluding to cheque books which he has inspected and others he wishes to inspect. He anticipates calling and seeing his correspondent's "Patents or Warrants"

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.