Autograph Letters

Victorian novelist (Mrs Henry Reeves). Docketed 'Authoress of "Coming thro' the Rye"'. Signed 'Helen Reeves' and docketed 'nee Mathers'. Closing two lines of letter above signature, and on reverse five lines (referring to "the dreadful time of yours", partly covered by glued-on piece of paper. Creased and discoloured.

English politician. 'Are not the editors of the Sporting & Dramatic News going to make any use of your drawings? & if not, would there be any possibility of your being able to let my sister have the pencil sketch you made of her? She would value it very much. | We have been hard at work acting here, & all went off very well.'

Sister of the M.P. Francis Bingham Mildmay. 'I am afraid we shall not be able to avail ourselves of your most kind invitation to view your portraits as we leave town for good on Friday. I shall hope to see your Portrait of Lady Milton, later on.' In a letter of 9 January 1898 F. B. Mildmay refers to Slocombe's 'most kind invitation to view your portraits'.

Director and Principal Librarian of the British Museum (DNB). The first on dusty discoloured paper with closed tears to edges. Thanks Slocombe for having 'thought of me' and apologises for writing in pencil. Has been 'knocked over by a rather severe attack from which I am only slowly recovering'. The second and third letters are both replies to the Slocombes for seasonal expressions of goodwill and both are docketed in pencil by Slocombe. Three items,

Victorian geologist (DNB). 'Amongst the many pleasant recollections which the Members of the British Association will retain of their visit to Norwich will be that of their hospitable reception by Sir Robert Harvey. The Lecture over which I had the honor to preside (C.) has to be directly grateful, for we were twice guests at Crown Point.'

Pen name of Frances Elizabeth McFall, novelist (1854-1943). 'Very sincerely Yours | Sarah Grand'. Fold line across middle of paper not affecting text. Remains of four small pieces of gummed paper on reverse.

Victorian novelist and satirist of the Raj. 'Dear Madam | I regret that I shall be away from England all winter | Yours truly | F. A. Steel." Creased, disoloured and docketed in pencil. Writing offset by folding of letter.

Victorian writer and humorist. Difficult handwriting. 'My dear Sir/ | Will Monday be equally convenient to you? If no I shall be happy to see you either here or in town, as shall best suit your leisure.' Docketed with large underlined '2' in blue pencil, creased and discoloured. Blank second leaf damaged by removal from album, and with glue stains and remains of blue paper.

Scottish divine and author (DNB). Returns thanks for two letters. Reached London via Glasgow and Liverpool on Saturday. 'Friends in the Committee rather in better spirits. Dr Cook was expected last night & is to be examined to-morrow. My day is Friday'. 'Your Suggestions are quite to the point. The field is perplexingly wide, & has been so crossed & re-crossed, that it is not easy to draw a distinct line of evidence' 'Dr Walsh & Mr Cunningham, & even Dr MacGill have, I understand, given very good evidence.' Says he will call on Mrs Martin if he can.

Whig statesman. 'Sir | I find that some persons have been to see Colonel Fox's house in Addison road & objected that the number of bedsteads, & quantity of kitchen utensils & crockery were scanty - I <...> & effects [last word deleted] common ware goods with [last word deleted] from which they may be supplied - I would sooner buy a <?> him such common things than lose a rest [last two words deleted] the opportunity of letting his house to a respectable tenant - | Vassall Holland'. Recto discoloured by glue from attachment to album. Several crease lines. With closed tear.

British statesman, several times Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (DNB). Intimate and interesting communication beginning 'I have only time to say in answer to your obliging note, that I shall be most happy to take you by the hand as soon as is convenient to you, as I trust in God that my poor wife after a most severe fever is this day beginning to recover.

She 'cannot apologise enough for having left his letter of May 29th so long unanswered'. It was supposed to be answered 'on her return from Italy' but was mislaid. She hopes Slocombe will 'forgive the unintentional rudeness'.

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 12mo. "I am very sorry that I have never written before to thank you for your very kind letter about the performance. I am so glad the poor people liked it. It is a great blessing to be able to do anything for them."

English actress (1872-1949), made a Dame of the British Empire in 1941. Blue "letter card" with printed stamp, addressed in autograph to "Mr Walter Wood / 7 Theresa Terrace / Hammersmith". "Many thanks for your kind invitation for June 29th which I am very sorry to say we are unable to accept owing to a previous engagement for that day. We are very busy just now rehearsing for revivals, but later on I hope we shall meet again after all. It has been most unfortunate both times missing each other. With many regrets about the C G." With traces of paper and glue to reverse.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 8vo. "One never makes a mistake in telling the truth / Charles Wyndham / The Liar." Perhaps a reference to Wyndham's outstanding performance in Jones's "The Liars" (1897).

Scottish antiquary (1802-1869). (To Dawson Turner) Two pages, 8vo, good condition, citing the brevity of his stay in Yarmouth as his reason for not visiting and accepting an invitation. "On some future occasion you will perhaps allow me the gratification of seeing some of the book treasures you have the happiness to possess." (To George Stokes) One page, 8vo, good condition. He has received Stokes's letters but has anticipated his "wishes and corrections. "I returned the sheet marked merely "for press," but no doubt the printers will proceed with it immediately".

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 8vo. "Dear Madam / I regret to say that I cannot seemy [sic] way to recommending the enclosed plays to a Manager for production on my account. / I remain / Yours truly / Cyril Maude"

English actress (1872-1949), made a Dame of the British Empire in 1941. 2 pp, 8vo. "Many thanks for your kind note. I shall be delighted to come down on Sunday May 28th. & stay till Monday afternoon. I may be rather a quiet sort of guest as this part is a great tax on me - but a day in the country with you sounds most tempting."

Actor and pantomimist (1804-1878), "the last true mime", who played opposite the great Joseph Grimaldi. One page, 8vo. Written in a florid hand, "W H S Payne / Theater Royal Covent Garden / Le Roi De Pantomime." The "S" in the signature is in superscript. In a smaller hand at the head of the page the signature of Gustave Garcia.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Mrs Horsley / The state of the weather to-day precludes me from even trying to see you & to-night / I shall be happy to come tomorrow with Miss Moore [his wife the actress Mary Moore,1869-1931]".

Actor and playwright (1891-1948). Director of the French Players, 209 Nelson House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1. One page, 8vo. "The only programme you havent got is of: "On Ne Badine pas avec l'amour." "

Actor-manager (1805-77). One page, 8vo, neatly mounted. "An two men ride of a horse one must ride behind" / "Shakspeare" / Henry Compton. / Theatre Royal, / Haymarket. / Jany. 24th. 1870."

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-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. "The actors Benevolent Trust is our institution for relief of deserving cases - if your friend will apply to me by letter & state her case freely I will lay it before the committee of which I am a member." Traces of previous mounting on reverse of blank second leaf.

English actress (1872-1949), made a Dame of the British Empire in 1941. Headed "Wednesday" (no date), one page, 8vo. "Mr Sydney Brooks' address is / 2 Montpelier Square / S. W. / He is the cellist who is going to play at your concert. Yours in haste / Irene Vanbrugh".

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.

English actress-manageress (1869-1931), married successively to the actor-managers James Albery and Charles Wyndham. 2 pp, 8vo. "It was most kind of you to call & enquire after my little boy! I am thankful to say he is picking up rapidly the operation having been most successful However, my troubles are not at an end as the doctor tells me to-day that my eldest boy must undergo the same operation and has fixed next Saturday morning for the ordeal." She will bring her two youngest sons to dine with him on the Sunday, "if you are quite sure they wont worry you".

Judge (1830-1913), formulator of the celebrated "Macnaghten rules" of criminal insanity. 3 pp, 12mo. He makes interesting comments on the process of public appointments. "I am sorry to say it is out of my power to comply with your wishes. It is not considered proper in a person holding a judicial office as I happen to do to ask for anything or to put himself in the way of coming under an obligation to any body.

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. One page, 12mo. "I fear I shall not be able to join the meeting this afternoon through important business at the Haymarket." Signed "S. B. Bancroft". Paper and glue from previous mounting on the reverse.

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.