dramatic

Actress (1839-1921), wife of the actor-manager Squire Bancroft. One page, 12mo. Written in a large hand, evidently in response to a request for an autograph. "Do you like Sir?" / Act 1 / Marie Bancroft / October 8th 1879". Traces of previous mounting on reverse.

English actor (1793-1869). A small oval photograph, 2 inches high, of an aged Keeley seated at a table with papers before him. Glued to a thin piece of card beneath which is a fragment cut from a letter, "Believe me / yours very truly / R. Keeley / Lovell Reeve Esq." Evidently cut from an autograph album, as on the reverse is a fragment of a letter from an unnamed writer to an unnamed correspondent. The second fragment is the front of a mourning envelope, addressed to "R. W. Wyndham Esq / Theatre Royal / Edinburgh / R. Keeley". Loss to the flap from the breaking of the seal.

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.

Actor-manager (1858-1923), knighted in 1922. He thanks her for her letter. "It was very sweet of you to remember me and I appreciate it very much indeeed - With best wishes to you for the New Year / Yours / Charles H. Hawtrey".

Actor-manager (1858-1923), knighted in 1922. One page, 12mo. "Dear Miss Sterling / Months ago you asked me for my autograph . . / Here it is at last. / Yours very truly / Charles H. Hawtrey".

Actor and costume designer (1868-?). The first letter, docketted "Alas poor Tom -", to Miss Grosvenor, 4 December 1940, 18 Selwood Terrace., 2 pp, 8vo. He apologises for not being able to attend any of her at homes. "I have been at Plymouth & Cardiff the last fortnight with H. B. Irving [Henry Brodribb Irving, 1870-1919] arranging his new play". The second letter, to L. E. Berman, 21 April 1940, with embossment 52 Temple Fortune Hill, 2 pp, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. He thanks him for forwarding the letter from Barking.

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.

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 (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. One page, 12mo. "Glad to hear from you: <?> had told me that you were soldiering. I wish you could have been here with us but yours is a glorious job. Good luck attend you & our arms". Creased, and with traces of previous mounting on blank reverse.

One page, 12mo. Only partially decipherable, due to Alexander's dreadful handwriting, which is reminiscent of that of his contemporary Charles Wyndham. "I shall be pleased to see you if you [...] one night next week. / Sincerely / George Alexander".

Comic actor. A charming photograph, 5 inches by 3 inches, of a winking Berry in sailor suit and cap of "H.M.S. CISSY", his arms folded across his chest. Inscribed "Yours. v. truly / W. H. Berry / 1921". Mounted on pink paper docketed "Very Popular Actor". In good condition.

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 12mo. "Yes, with the greatest pleasure. Baker St. 11.37. - I warn you, I am a very good player." With negligible creasing and staining.

Actor and teacher of elocution (1829-1910). Small publicity portrait of a stern-looking Vezin, glowering in an open-necked white shirt. Printed on thin art paper, 2¾ by 1¾ inches, with large white border, on which, "Yours truly / Hermann Vezin." Not in the best of condition: creased, grubby, and with tears to the borders.

English dramatist (1851-1929). The first, one page, 12mo, 2 December 1896, with letterhead Townshend House, North Gate, Regents Park. "If Macmillans have no objection I am quite willing for you to include Michael and His Lost Angel in your volume of plays. Will you see or write them?" The second, no date, Townshend House, Regent's Park, on deleted letterhead of the Queen's Hotel, Southsea, one page, 12mo. "I'll see Macmillan's when I am in town and will write you further - meantime I suppose you won't be publishing". Two items,

Theatre producer (1908-1973). "Thank you so much for your letter. I entirely appreciate your difficulties and I am most grateful to you. I hope that L. E. Berman can let me have the original manuscript as I should be most grateful. / I am sorry you have not received the photographs as promised and I will look into this immediately." Not in the best of condition: creased and grubby.

2 pp, 8vo. "Would Friday evening next at say 9 o Clock Suit you to play off our heat. If not let me know when would be convenient to you and I will try and fit it in."

Theatre critic (1891-1974). The first, one page, 12mo, with letterhead of the Garrick Club, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph. "This comes of believing what you are told by Past Presidents of the O. U. D. C. "Julius Caesar" might shuffle through as history, but you have one on Romeo." The second, 6 October 1942, on letterhead of The Observer, one page, 8vo, in stamped typed envelope. "Many thanks for your letter. I was relying on Parker's 'Who's Who in the Theatre' which made no mention of 'Queen Mary'. I shall tell him to get this right.

English actor-manager (1858-1939), knighted in 1916. One page, 8vo. "Dear Miss Paget. / Of course I remember you. I will be delighted to see your protege. / Yours sincerely / F R Benson". Creasing to one corner, and traces of previous mounting on reverse.

English actor-manager (1837-1910). 4 pp, 12mo. Interesting letter in which he declines a play. "Its an awful shame to have kept your mss. so long, but I think I told you, I was too deep in promises &c. to give immediate attention! / If domestic Drama were popular now, I should not hesitate to play yours, it is full of pure incident and effective situations, and the dialogue is clear and interesting. [...] In my opinion this is not big & bold enough for "Drama" and not "elegant" enough or adapted to "up to date" models. [...]" Somewhat grubby.

English comic actor and dramatist (1802-79). 2 pp, 12mo. Concerning the staging of a new play. "Yates has the first & 2d acts complete - It must be in 4 parts / I am now on the 4th.: when can I have the sheets & illustrations of the entire romance?" Details of the first two acts follow. "When I get your work complete a very few days will complete me, - I leave town on the 20th of this month for a fortnight and am anxious to (indeed I must) finish before I start / Rodwell is composing "Jolly Rose" for Bedford to sing at Woods party." Somewhat grubby, with browning in the margins.

English actor-manager (1837-1910). "Dear Miss Tennyson, / "Reading a play" is very actable, and would suit an actor like Chas. Collett, & important & voluble, & there are several who would make a success of it. But I'm afraid I am not one of them. Sorry to have kept the MS. so long. [...] MS. [not present] returned herewith registered."

English dramatist (1838-89). One page, 12mo, on mourning paper. "I am sorry I forgot the card. Did you get the stalls all right / In any way I can serve you / I am / Yours faithfully / J. Albery". Docketed in a small hand in ink. Minimal loss to one corner. Bearing traces of previous mounting.

English actor-manager (1837-1910). Interesting letter exemplifying the importance of dentistry to the acting profession. 3 pp, 12mo, on mourning paper. "You know I've been away, on Tour with the "Lions" and after that, I took a jaunt to Tronville & Rouen, just returned with a broken tooth. - I've had to be patched up on tour, & have quite given up the idea of a good looking mouth. Any way I shall be glad if you will put a lower front tooth in. I will come to you to-morrow Wednesday afternoon about 3.30. in the hope you'll be free.

Irish-born playwright (1784-1862). A cutting from a letter of irregular shape, 12mo, made by an autograph hunter. "Thank you my dear fellow. Tho' on the score of friendship I was quite well satisfied before as I am now / Yours ever / J. S. Knowles." Docketed on the otherwise blank reverse "The autograph of Mr. Sheridan Knowles, the author of the plays called "Virginius," William Tell, &c. &c.". -"

English comic actor (1795-1842) and manager of the Adelphi Theatre. 2 pp, 4to. Eccentric handwriting, of uncertain decipherment. "We must trouble you by return of Post to send us up the last tune but one & the finale to the Pantomime / Make Puck if you please come out of the Fairy Mounds tell Harlequin & Columbine the Chace is done. Then loves rewards and change to the last tune the Fairy Temple - Then dance & a short finale - one verse <?> & Chorus - / [...] / I hope all goes well with you. We are all alive - Let us have it by return of post".

English actor-manager (1837-1910). One page, 12mo, in stamped envelope adressed in autograph. "Dear Miss Tennyson. / There are no vacancies at present at the Adelphi. I shall be happy to remember you when opportunity affords - With congratulations on your progress. / Yours very truly / Henry G. Neville

Irish-born playwright (1784-1862). 3 pp, on a folio sheet folded to make two leaves, with red wax seal bearing the stamp "J. S. K." In very bad condition, with the address cut away resulting in loss of text, and with a hole in the first leaf causing damage to the signature. The greater part of the letter is taken up with an apology in fittingly melodramatic tones for the oversight of an engagement. "I am truly overwhelmed with confusion at my unfortunate forgetfulness with regard to New Year's day. Will you ever forgive me?

English actor-manager (1837-1910). Note, undated, Studio, 524 Oxford Street, Marble Arch, 2 pp, 12mo, somewhat grubby. He suggests a time for him to see her the following day. Letter, "Friday" (no date), on letterhead of the Olympic Theatre, 2 pp, 12mo. "Would you mind letting me hear your voice. I think I could offer you Florette in the "Orphans" if you felt that kind of part, - perhaps you would kindly give me a call tomorrow Saturday at about 12, at the Theatre." Letter, 5 September 1878, on letterhead of the Olympic Theatre, 2 pp, 12mo, in stamped envelope addressed in autograph.

Irish-born playwright (1784-1862). On one page of a folio sheet folded to make two leaves, with the address on the reverse of second leaf "Allan Cunningham Esq / Lower Belgrave Place / Pimlico / 27". "I am much obliged to our common friend Forster [John Forster, 1812-1876, biographer of Charles Dickens] for telling me that, a few orders for Covt. Garden might not be unacceptable to you."

English actor-manager (1837-1910). One page, on monogrammed paper. "Dear Mrs. Lewis. / I shall be delighted to accept your kind invitation for the 4th July. / Sincerely yours / Henry Neville". Heavily creased and with slight tear to one edge, and with traces of paper and glue on reverse of blank second leaf.