THEATRE

English actor (1843-96) under the name 'Arthur Cecil'. 1 page, dimensions 3 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches. In good condition though dusty. He thanks him for his kind note, and says that if he 'may keep my little contribution in reserve for a bit' he 'will certainly bear it in mind & shall hope to turn you out something before very long'. Signed 'Arthur C Blunt'.

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'.

Fourth Earl of Derby, Privy Councillor, patron of a company of actos, commissioner at trail of Mary, Queen of Scots (1531-1593). Four documents, signed "H. Strange", vellum, c.2.75 x 3.75 ft, folded, occasional staining, with a frayed, damaged unsigned document relating to Sir Gervase Clifton, all documents relating to land in Somerset (Curry Rivel and Burton). Five items,

Lost Horizons by Harry Segall (1897-1975) opened at the St James Theatre on Broadway on 15 October 1934. An impressive testament to the efficient marketing of mainstream entertainment in early-twentieth-century America. Laurence Rivers, Inc., of 19 West 44th Street, New York City, were clearly the play's publicists, and the majority of these letters are from the representatives of various religious organisations in New York, thanking William Fields of the company for the gift of free tickets.

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'.

Editor of Punch (1836-1917), and co-author with Sir Arthur Sullivan of 'Cox and Box'. In good condition. On slip, 1 inch by 2 1/2, cut from letter. Signed 'F C Burnand'.

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.

Actor and lessee of the Surrey Theatre (1774-1831; DNB). The recipient is the songwriter and dramatist Thomas John Dibdin (1771-1841; DNB). 2¼ inches by 4¼. Creased, grubby and with a closed tear not affecting signature. Reads 'meeting. - | Yrs | Dr Sir | very truly | R W Elliston | To | Thos Dibdin | &c &c &c'.

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. -'

Anglo-French actor best remembered for having presented Charles Dickens with the Swiss chalet he erected in the garden at Gadshill and in which he wrote Great Expectations. The recipient was a lawyer and antiquary. The signature is on a slip approximately two inches by four and a half, presumably part of a letter or envelope, and laid down on a piece of card. Miniscule loss to part of slip, but text unaffected. Inscribed 'Fred. Ouvry Esq. | Ch. Fechter', with the signature underlined and overlined by Fechter.

According to Frederic Boase's Modern English Biography William Ball (1785-1869) was the composer of 'hundreds of comic and sentimental songs', the most famous of which, 'Jack's lament for the loss of his tail', being 'one of the most popular songs of the day ever written'. All four letters 16mo, that of 22 January 1856 of 8 pages and the others of 4 pages. All are somewhat grubby with minor spotting but the overall condition is good. An extremely informative and intimate correspondence in a very close hand.

English thespian. Thanks Fletcher for his catalogue of autograph letters of nineteenth-century actors. 'I doubt if I will be able to get in before Christmas but hope to see you and them as soon as possible.' Signed 'Donald Sinden'. Creased and with some unobtrusive calculations on the reverse.

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

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,

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 4to. "My dear Drury, / Will you sup with me to meet some members of the company next Wednes day night at 11-45. [in MS] at the Service Club" With postscript in MS, "And to wish you bon voyage you know". Not in best of condition, with creasing and slight staining to MS portion.

English actor (1857-1932). One page, 12mo, on mourning paper. "Many thanks for your kind congratulations and the enclosed "notice". With our united regards."

English actor, playwright, songwriter (1856-1914). One page, 8vo. "Sir Maple is a handy man / And comfort round him spreads, / He furnishes on every plan / And also makes the beds." In bad condition, torn and holed by removal from mount, traces of which are glued to the 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.

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.

Anglo-American actor (1844-78). The letter, to W. L. Maitland, "Prince of Wales Theatre / Thursday" (no date), 2 pp, 12mo. "Every place but one or two - is taken for Saty & not even one stall is left. The only place your are at all likely to get them is at either Mitchells or in Bond Street. They told me at the Box Office just now that you cd. not get 6 stalls together until after Saty week - all the Librarians buy them up." He declines a dinner invitation due to a previous engagement.

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.

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-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). 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.

Edith Evans (1888-1976), distinguished English actress, created Dame of the British Empire in 1946; Claude Rains (1889-1967), English-born film actor, best known for his part in "Casablanca"; C. Aubrey Smith (1863-1948), England cricketer and actor, Hollywood's idea of the quintessential Englishman. Their signatures on a piece of paper, 7 by 4½ inches, mounted on a piece of pink card, along with those of six other members of the cast of the play "Daniel", performed at the St James's Theatre in London in 1921.

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,

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.

Actor (1848-1907). One page, 12mo. He thanks him for sending the photograph. "I dont like it one little bit, and I cant say I think it even like me, so I will go again to Messrs Lock & Whitfield. With regard to what you say about contributing some little article to "The Theatre", I should be very glad to do so had I the time, but just at present I am very busy rehearsing two plays, one a new one: perhaps on some future occasion you will let me do something for you."