THEATRICAL

Thirty-six weekly issues. As poster, c.29 x 39cm, fold marks indicate possible use as a brochure, good condition. Information given on verso: Theatre, Nearest Tube, Eves. & Mats, Play, Description of Play. At the bottom information about "Official Ticket Agents for All London Theatres" and a line encouraging smoking (especially Abdullas). Information given on recto: Garges in Theatreland, Contractors to West End Theatres, the title "page", and two columns of "Theatre Notes". The only MS. annotations are: Issue for 2-7 Jan.

12mo, 2 pp. 22 lines of text. Very good on aged paper. Text clear and entire. Replying on behalf of 'Mlle Lia Duport, ma fille' (who accepts the 'offre flatteuse') and 'Mr. Alizard' (who has not yet returned from Brussells, where he is 'engagé au théâtre de la Monnaie'). If Alizard is available his fee will be the same as Duport's daughter's. States the reduced fee for which his daughter will sing alone, 'Dans le cas où Mr.

Letter: 12mo, 1 p. Grubby and stained. He 'did not mention the Planché-affair' in his letter of the day before. Asks for his name to be put down 'for a copy of the book' [French's edition of Planché's 'Extravaganzas']. The subscription form (12mo, 1 p), heavily worn and with loss to the extremities, is laid down on the reverse of the letter. On it Merivale gives his address as 'Barton Lodge, Kingston on Thames'.

12mo, 1 p. Text clear and entire, on lightly creased blue paper, with a thin docketed strip neatly cut away at the foot of the letter. Traces of cream paper mount adhering to the blank reverse. Presumably refers to the play 'Alone in London', which debuted at the Olympic Theatre in 1885. Buchanan trusts that Fenn 'will be present in production of my new play & Miss Jay's debut on Wednesday next'. He asks whether to send the stalls, 'or do you get them from the Office? It will be indeed disappointing if you do not come, this time.'

12mo: 2 pp. Very good. 'The Association for establishing depots of cheap food for the poor' has been formed, 'under the auspices of Lord Brougham, the Earl of Shrewsbury, Sir John Villiers Shelley, and others,' and Jerrold asks whether Raikes would 'permit us to add your name to the list of patrons', a position which 'entails no pecuniary responsibility whatsoever.'

12mo: 1 p. Text clear and entire on creased and slightly grubby paper. Asks Hyde Clark to 'make the preliminary report you suggest, & speak with Mr Crompton'. He feels that 'the thing is to be accomplished; & that there will be honour & profit to all who may concern themselves in the undertaking'. Asks to hear from Hyde Clarke 'in a few days'. The subject of the letter is unclear.

4to, 1 p, 21 lines. On creased and lightly-foxed paper, with a couple of closed tears (not affecting text, which is clear and entire). May refer to the 1928 revival of van Druten's play 'Young Woodley' (previously banned by the censor), or (which is more likely) to his 'After All' (1929).

8vo (16.5 x 21 cm), 1 p. On lightly aged paper with a little chipping to one edge. Text clear and entire. Addressed to 'Dear France'. He apologises for 'a typewritten letter'. 'I fancy I have seen the house you mention. I believe my wife and I went and looked over it two years ago, and didn't think it would suit us.' He will nevertheless 'take an opportunity of going over it again soon'. Thanks France for letting him know about it. 'Hope you are having a nice tour.'

On a piece of wove paper roughly 4.5 x 9 cm. Good, clear signature on lightly aged paper. Reads 'my dear Sir, | Yrs always truly | [signed] P. Hoare'. Reverse reads '<...> am at a loss how to answe<...> | <...>ing the progress of the Anna<...> | <...>- opportunity of asking "Ho<...> | <...>t of the Elgin Marbels, whic<...>'.

12mo, 1 p, 11 lines. Very good. He begins by giving R. J. Smith's Brompton address. He was 'delighted to hear of Lord Powis' and hopes 'there is no mistake about it'. 'Remember in printing his Title he is a Knight of the Garter. - On the back of our 2nd. No. I see Lord Southampton printed as "the Earl of Southampton"!' Asks the recipient's view of the previous day's 'Times': 'And look at the Morning Post to day.'

12mo, 2 pp. Written crosswise on paper with the embossed letterhead of Croxteth Hall. Good, though lightly spotted and with small central spike hole. Folded twice, and a little worn along crease lines. She 'will not trouble him to send any more nos. of "Martin Chuzzlewit" as it has been sent her'. Asks for 'all the numbers which are out of "Combe Abbey" [to be] put by for her, & continued' She is from home where she wishes to have them sent -'. Combe Abbey was a seat of the Earls of Craven, but there is no record of an item on it published around the time of 'Martin Chuzzlewit'.

One page, roughly four and a half inches by seven wide. Grubby, and with one inch closed tear at foot, caused by removal from mount, traces of which, and of another autograph adhere to reverse. Reads ' "How good it is to live, even at the worst" | "Christ in Hades" by Stephen Phillips | [signed] Charles Warner | 1902'. Small neat green circle containing number in bottom right-hand corner.

The letter: one page, 12mo. Good, but with removal from mount having thinned the paper in places, and with traces of brown paper mount still adhering. He is sending the autographs of 'Henry Seton Merriman (Hugh Scott); Gertrude Atherton; Miss Fowler; and Douglas Sladen. Also a photo from Ted (not a good one, but the only one I have left).' He enjoyed himself 'so much' at Langford. 'It was a week of real enjoyment to me.' The fragment: one page, four inches by four and a half wide.

Octavo, one page. Good, on lightly aged and creased paper, with the merest hint of a damp stain. English translation in contemporary hand on separate piece of 12mo paper, with slight loss at head (not affecting text). She has received no acknowledgement from him for 'the autograph which I sent you and a little book of verse sold for the benefit of the soldier who wrote them. The little book ought to be sold for at least 75 cents.

On a leaf of cream paper, 8.5 x 12 cm, part of a bifolium taken from an autograph album. Very good. All three signatures are bold and clear. The signatures of Lawrence and St Helier are on one side of the leaf, and that of Carey is on the other. Lawrence's signature is in ink, and the other two in pencil. Three signatures,

On leaf of light blue paper, 8.5 x 12 cm, removed from an autograph album. Very good.

On piece of cream paper, roughly 8.5 x 12 cm, removed from an autograph album. Good, on paper with a few light marks. Bold, firm signatures in pencil, one on each side of the leaf. Two signatures,

On a leaf of cream paper, 8.5 x 12 cm, part of a bifolium taken from an autograph album. Very good.

4to: 1 p. With mourning border. Good, with slight wear to edges. 'Nearly every publisher in London has been at me with a proposal that I should write a book of reminiscences'. The answer to Watson's 'friend's friend' is that Pinero is 'not inclined for the task'. 'Perhaps at some future time I may feel differently disposed, but at present my mind is bent on other work.' Asks Watson to accept 'hearty thanks' for his 'kind interest'.

Three pages, 12mo. Good, on lightly aged and ruckled paper, with a little glue adhering to the reverse of the second leaf of the bifolium. She has received the two packets containing the small photographs. Apart from wanting the hair to appear lighter and clearer, she is satisfied with the large photograph, and would like several copies before her departure on 2 August. If this is not possible copies are to be sent to her at the theatre du Gymnase in Paris.

One page, quarto. Good, on piece of watermarked laid paper, with small closed tear at foot of right-hand margin. He is 'once more' returning the play, 'having made the further omissions which you propose. | With many thanks for your kindness, in the ready attention you give to a matter of infinite moment to me'.

Three pages, 12mo. Good, on lightly spotted and aged paper. Traces of glue and previous mount adhering to blank verso of second leaf of bifolium. Concerns a 'concert on June 16yh in aid of the <?> L G[uild] at Mrs. Beudel's house'. 'It grieves me more than I can express to find that I shall be unable to attend, or give my services on that occasion, unfortunately my arrangements will not permit of my being in London then'.

One page, quarto. Very good, though slightly aged and creased, and with minor damp staining at foot, affecting bottom three lines including signature. Wilkinson has written to say that he 'has not the space' Smith has 'named'. '[Y]ou express an opinion that Circus business would pay, & I, from my personal knowledge of Brighton & experience therein, feel sure a really good Circus would prove an immense attraction & a paying one, & would stand some time by introducing fresh novelties'.

Letter, docketed 'Mrs Honey', addressed to ' Esqre | York - Leeds - or Hull | Theatre Royal'. Three pages, quarto. Good, though aged and creased, and with small section cut away on breaking seal. Text clear and complete. Small strip of mount adhering to one edge. Interesting and intriguing letter addressed to 'Dearest Papa' and beginning 'Barnett has never been near me nor do I know where to find him - write by return and tell me where I commence and what you would like me to '. Ends by saying she is 'very busy indeed just now'. Signed 'Laura'.

English impressario (1872-1951), nicknamed "Cocky", closely associated with Noel Coward, knighted in 1948. All one page, five with the letterhead Charles B. Cochran, 49 Old Bond Street (three 8vo and two 4to), and one, 12mo, with the letterhead of the Midland Hotel, Manchester. One in stamped addressed envelope. All thanking Bass (of 22 Delta Street, Lightbourne, Moston, Manchester) for his letters praising the Manchester performances of Cochran's revue.

English actress (1868-1957), the wife of Fred Terry (1864-1932). 4 pp, 8vo. She thanks her for her kind invitation, which she cannot accept as they are going back to London on the Sunday. "We are only giving a matinee at Wolverhampton & have to return to Birmingham to play at night / It was very sweet of you to ask us." Minor traces of previous mounting.

Actress (1894-1978). Card, on one side of which is printed, "30 CONDUIT ST / BOND STREET / W / TELEPHONE / 1923 / MAYFAIR / INSTEAD thanks / .... / for .... letter, and order for Photographs which are being proceeded with. / .... 192 ...." Over this, lengthwise and upwards, is the signature "Fay Compton", and above it an attempt at forgery, with the "Compton" reasonably convincing, but with "Fey" for "Fay". On the blank reverse another signature by Compton. The actress would appear to have provided these examples of her signature for copying onto her publicity photographs.

Actress (1839-1921), wife of the actor-manager Squire Bancroft. One page, 12mo. She declines an invitation. "Dear Mrs. Moscelles / I am going out of town tomorrow for some days or I shd. have been delighted / Yrs very sincerely / Marie Bancroft". Removal from a mount has resulted to loss at the top of the leaf, and there are traces of glue and paper on the reverse.

American actress (1874-1950), sister of Maxine Elliott. One page, 12mo, mounted on a piece of card. "Dear Madam / Pray accept my hearty thanks for so kindly subscribing to the Actors Benevolent Fund."

English actress (1839-1895), for a time manageress of the Olympic Theatre. 2 pp, 12mo. "I enclose you the Stalls with much pleasure - and I hope you will enjoy the performance. Please place the enclosed cheque for £25 - to my account and oblige / Yours sincerely / Ada Cavendish". Traces of glue and paper from previous mounting at foot of second page.