Music and Theatre

One page, 12mo. Good on piece of lightly-creased and aged paper, neatly mounted on slightly-larger piece of paper. Enclosing funds 'for the Use of St Andrews Hall April 2nd. 3rd. & 4th./66 for Christys Minstrels Concerts'. Postscript requests that receipt be sent to Reading in Berkshire: 'Shall be there on Thursday next'. A significant document. 1866 marked the introduction of the minstrel show into England by Christy's Minstrels, and the first of several extremely successful tours by the company.

One page, 12mo. Very good. 'I shall sing il "Soave e bel contento" [aria by Pacini] and will be happy to take a part in the quintetto[,] you must procure the parts of my song'. May possibly refer to the J. N. Hummel Benefit Concert in London on 29 April 1830, where Pacini's aria was played.

Pamphlet, bifoliate, sm. folio, [4pp.], sl. chipped and marked, NO sign of extraction from a book. The author reminds the reader of the attacks on Charles Kean in "Punch" and "Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper" "in which "rational criticism is entirely superseded by personal hostility". He asks what gave rise to such "pertinaceous malevolence", finding the answer in the correspondence between Jerrold and Kean (26 April to 14 Oct.

The collection is in good condition, with each letter entirely legible. Two items particularly aged, and one with a couple of closed tears unobtrusively repaired with archival tape. Each item bears evidence of the fact that the collection was previously held together with a pin. An interesting sidelight into the musical culture of Victorian London. COPAC only locates one copy (at Cambridge) of Robinson's piece, published by W. Sprague of Westminster in [1874], copied by F. C. Wood, 'words by permission of Messrs. Hopwood & Crew'. All items 12mo.

12mo bifolium. A frail, aged survival of a scarce and significant item, with wear, staining and several closed tears. THE LETTER (one page, on recto of second leaf of bifolium), signed 'R. T. Jefferies', asks 'Can you not give me your assistance at my next concert you would be conferring a favor on me by attending and I should also be glad if you could send a few vocal friends, will not any of the boys be able to attend. Please excuse haste'. In another hand on verso of second leaf, 'Rehearsals | Metropolitan Lecture Hall adjoining Gower St Railway Station Saturday 3#'.

Two pages, 8vo, minor defects, mainly good. He apologises for not using (or knowing) her full married name and tries to persuade her to give a part to his son whose career he summarises (Athos in "The Three Musketeers", juvenile lead in the "Absent-Minded Beggar"). In a postscript he suggests he would make "an ideal Rochester".

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.

Classical actress and theatre manager (1872-1957), later Lady Simson. The signature is 2½ inches long, on a piece of grey paper, with one crease but otherwise in good condition. The paper is mounted on a piece of card which is neatly docketed, 'Lena Ashwell | now | Lady Simson 1925 | Actress | famous in | [...] | Appointed Office of the Order of the British Empire for valuable work in providing concerts at the front and at Home during the Great War'.

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.

English actress (1837-1921), wife of the actor-manager Charles Calvert (1828-1879) and mother of the actor Louis Calvert (1859-1923). Black-letter calling card, 3½ by 2¼ inches, of "Mrs. Charles Calvert. / 22, York Mansions, / Battersea Park. / S. W. 11." Signed between the signature and the address "Adelaide Helen Calvert".

English actress (1806-99), wife of the actor Robert Keeley (1793-1869). 2 pp, 12mo. "Mr Gowing is coming to eat his dinner with me at 5 oclock to day, will you join him at 5 sharp as he has to leave at 1/2 pt nine / faithfully yours / M A Keeley". Slight waterstaining to head of letter.

English actress (1868-1957), the wife of Fred Terry (1864-1932). 2 pp, 12mo. On the recto: "Dear Sir / Herewith I am sending portrait of myself [not present] All my pictures". Lengthwise on the reverse, in a bold hand, "Truly yours / Julia Neilson=Terry".

Actress (1839-1921), wife of the actor-manager Squire Bancroft. 2 pp, 12mo. "Will you lunch with me on Wednesday at 2 oclock / You will meet a few nice people / Yrs sincerely / Marie Bancroft".

English actress (1806-99), wife of the actor Robert Keeley (1793-1869). One page, 12mo. A formal acceptance in the third person. "Mrs Keeley accepts with great pleasure Mrs Lewis's kind invitation for Thursday July 7th." Traces of previous mounting to blank reverse. The spelling of her second name "Ann" appears erroneous.

Two pages, 8vo, minor defedcts, text clear and complete, if somewhat illegible. He begins: "J'ignorais personellement monsieur, la Combinaison [locative?] dont vous avex ete vistime et je comprends fort bien que vous la trouvez mediocrement ingenieuse, vous nous avez habituee aux plus galant precedes, mais . . . " He goes on to say that they won't offer compensation, understanding that they are changing their "loge" and will collect what belongs to them, etc.

2 pp, 12mo. She thanks her for her "sweet present", and then makes what appears to be a reference to John Gielgud: "I'm taking Betty tonight to see John - her first evening performance! She is so thrilled. I am so sorry he has been so reedy, but perhaps the enforced rest will do him good." Slight traces of adhesive tape to left-hand margin of recto.

English actress (1868-1957), the wife of Fred Terry (1864-1932). 2 pp, 8vo, on blue paper. Intimate letter written in a large hand. "Darling - Yes the book arrived I do congratulate the way you've written & arranged the book. Delighted with it & everything about it: splendid / You would have heard before this only I've been rather ill with day & night nurses = even now I'm finding it difficult to recover my strength / I shall hope to see you in the new year & here is my love & good wishes from / your affectionate old / Julia".

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 (1844-1938), daughter of the actor-manager Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree (1853-1917). One page, 8vo. "Thank you a thousand times for the lovely herbs, how glad I was to have them and their sweet smell, instead of the artificial things - / It was a sweet thought - / Yours sincerely / Viola Tree". Creased, and with traces of paper and glue from previous mounting to the blank reverse.

English actress (1868-1957), the wife of Fred Terry (1864-1932). 4pp, on two identical 12mo cards, both with the letterhead. "My dear Mrs Davis / I am so grieved to hear about the poor . I hope & trust it is not very serious & that they will get well very quickly what an anxiety for you all I am quite well thank you but am awfully sorry I I shall not be able to help you on the 22nd as I am dining out. With best love to you all / Yours sincerely / Julia Neilson" Both cards bear traces of previous mounting.

One page, 4to, minor defects, text clear and complete. "'Tis now a month since I took the liberty of requesting you wou'd mention me to the Gentemen of the Committee respecting the renewal of an Engagement in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and I have not as yet received any answer. I hope Sir you will admit that a state of suspense is rather unpleasant, and if you will have the goodness to favor me with your opinion upon the business, I shall consider myself very much obliged to you." Note: no example of Penson's hand appears in NRA, NUCMC, Pettingell, tec.

English actress (1867-1942). A portrait photograph, 5¾ inches by 4 inches, from the studio of Ellis & Walery, 54a Baker Street. Inscribed "To Mr Sarker - / with every good wish / Violet Vanbrugh". She looks slightly to the left, apparently in costume, with short hair, earings, pearls, and an open necked shirt with lace sailor collar. The reverse of the mount carries the photographers' printed details with a reference number in pencil.

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.

Celebrated German actress (1781-1868), whose acting was regarded as the epitome of romanticism. A signed note in German on the reverse of a carte de visite embossed "Sophie Schroeder". Creased and bearing traces of glue, it is mounted on a fragment of paper, over a cutting from a French bookseller's catalogue describing it.

English actress (1868-1957), the wife of Fred Terry (1864-1932). 2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Mrs Lewis / My mother & I will be delighted to accept your kind invitation on Friday afternoon / With kind regards / very truly yours / Julia Neilson". With traces of paper and glue from previous mounting on blank recto of second leaf.

Anglo-Australian actress (1890-1975), connected with the Kendalls, Beerbohm-Tree, Bernard Shaw and a host of other figures from the London stage. Two pages, 12mo. Veryy good. Difficult hand. She has asked 'Mr. de Lion' about Gifford's play: 'he said he will try to make enquiries & let me know but I dont expect he will'. The rest appears to refer to relate to travel plans. Ends 'I beg you to forgive me.' Signed 'Marie Löhr'.

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.

English actress (1888-1971), made a Dame of the British Empire in 1967. Signature on card, 1½ inches by 3 inches. Mounted on piece of paper, 12mo, docketed "Gladys Cooper (Lady Pearson) Popular Actress".

Actress (1936-) and minor politico. One page, 4to. "Thank you very much for your letter. I'm so glad to know that you have enjoyed my work and have pleasure in enclosing a photograph [not present] for you to add to your collection." Not in the best of condition: heavily creased, slightly torn and slightly discoloured.

Lessee of the Adelphi Theatre. English actress (1799-1860), wife of the actor Frederick Henry Yates (1795-1842). 2 pp, 12mo. An interesting letter to "Mrs. Yates" shedding light on the theatre mores of the period. "Mr. Beckett & Mr.