Autograph Letters

A piece of laid paper, 4 inches by 2. "<...> humble Servant / Robert Peel". Grubby and with minor discoloration from previous mounting.

Actress (1839-1921), wife of the actor-manager Squire Bancroft. The first letter, to Lady Hayter, "Thursday" (no date), 2 pages, 8vo. "Shall you have any military music on Friday? If so, I should like to see the Trumpeter for I want him to play some calls during a recitation. I would run in between 3 & 4 some day just to have a little talk on the subject." The second letter, to an unnamed male correspondent, "Tuesday", 3 pp, 12mo. She thanks him for sending the stalls to the concert, but is sorry that she cannot attend because "Mr.

Politician (1810-61), friend and supporter of Florence Nightingale. 4 pp, 12mo. Difficult handwriting. "[...] I feel that I cannot undertake to do what you proposed to me; in such a manner as it ought to be done to do justice to the Review and to the subject. I must therefore ask you to cut me off at any rate for the next number. I hope this will not inconvenience you." Creased and grubby.

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. One page, 12mo. "We have been obliged to refuse such a great number of very similar requests that I am sure you will understand how impossible it is to make exceptions." Signed "S. B. Bancroft". Small pieces of glued paper from previous mounting on blank reverse.

Playwright under the name Walter Gordon. The first, 4 pp, 12mo, on mourning paper, 24 August 1887, c/o Mrs H. E. Rose, Buxton on the Water, Glos. "I went to Town yesterday to attend the Funeral of my old friend [John] Palgrave Simpson [dramatist and novelist, 1807-1887, DNB], returning here again this morning. / Of course the death seemed sudden when it came although one had forseen it coming for some long time past.

Politician (1822-95), son of the Tory prime minister Sir Robert Peel (1788-1850). A biofoliate letter which has been cut into an irregular shape by an autograph collector. The first leaf, 1½ inches by 4½: recto, "Drayton Manor / Oct. 31. 1862 <...>"; verso, "<...> to the stopping of his <...>. Second leaf, 4 inches by 4½: recto, "<...> by great convenience to me & I am extremely obliged. / I am yours most truly / Robert Peel". Paper ruckled, and with glue stains from mounting to the verso of the second leaf, which is docketted.

English actor-manager (1852-1912). One page, 12mo. "Dear Mr Pemberton/ / If more convenient to you Thursday at 11.30 will suit me just as well as Wednesday". Traces of previous mounting on blank reverse.

Sculptor (1847-1922). 3 pp, 12mo, on mourning paper. "I have just returned from a short stay in the Country and find your letter of the 29th ult With regard to the proposed Statuette in silver I need scarcely say I shall have much pleasure in assisting you in any way I can. / Your letter however leaves me a little in the dark. Do you wihs me to recommend some young Sculptor for the task or would you like me to undertake it?" Signed "Thos Brock".

Novelist. One page each, 8vo. He is responding to an invitation and outlining a busy schedule. 2 items,

British General (1856-1936). One page, 12mo. Cryptic, very. "There are many examples of dates in french in the paper. I fear Mrs Mary is very ill, very very ill indeed. / Yours v. sincerely / A Hunter". Slight "offsetting" from another letter over text of letter.

Politician (1790-1866). One page, 12mo, on mourning paper. "My dear Sir / As the writer of the enclosed refers to you I hope you will excuse me for giving you the trouble of reading his letters with a view of knowing your opinion of his <?> & character". Signed "Mounteagle". Discoloured and with much of mount still attached to verso.

English actress-manageress (1869-1931), married successively to the actor-managers James Albery and Charles Wyndham. "I much regret that owing to the many calls upon my time at present, I am unable to give you the information you require."

Popular novelist. She announces to Kathleen Shackleton that they "go on to Cairo tomorrow. ALS, 2pp., 8vo to Sladen, regretting not being able to accept an invitation but inviting the Sladens to the "Authors Dinner" where she is to be a hostess. Two items,

Civil engineer (1810-98). One page, 12mo. Dear Sir / I return the papers as you desire. / Having so many calls near home I fail to see how I am expected to support your . / I am / Yours truly / Robert Rawlinson".

English actor-manager (1852-1912). One page, 12mo. "Dear Madam / I sent your donation to Mrs. Wenman, with your letter She should have acknowledged it, Apologising for delay Thanking you for your kindness". Traces of previous mounting on reverse.

Solicitor (1820-1910). 3 pp, 12mo. An informal letter. "We were all much pleased at hearing of your good husband's promotion and we were glad to find you are in a pleasant part of the country. [...] All are I am thankful to say well - Fred recently had a very alarming accident in London". Four pieces of gummed paper from mounting adhering to blank verso of second leaf.

Barrister and author (1795-1862). One page, 12mo. "Dear Ellis, / Doe v.

Playwright (1902-1991). The typed letter, 8 February 1967, one page, 8vo. An interesting letter. "I am back again! I have just had a note from Murray Macdonald. He tells me he is going to direct a new play by Tam and Maggie Williams, probaly [sic] in July. The Williams' want Gladys Cooper [English actress, 1888-1971] for it but it is a small part and she has not said "Yes" or "No" yet. She spole to Murray about "The Limit" and told him she would like to do it at Guilford. So please, please convince her that the play to do is the one by ME and not by Williams!

Irish Painter, poet, dramatist and novelist (1770-1850). He gives his correspondent the address of a "Mr Herbert" who was, according to the Post Office Directory of 1846, a professor and publisher of music.

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.

English judge (1840-1918). 3 pp, 12mo. "[...] Amongst all the letters received by me on my retirement, none gave me greater pleasure than yours. You & I have known each other now for many years, & I have to thank you for the great kindness you have shown me throughout. I hope I may say that there has always been between us a true friendship, & I trust that it will not cease or diminish because I am no longer an active practising lawyer [...]". Signed "Robert Romer". With four gummed pieces of paper from mounting adhering to the blank verso of the second leaf.

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.

Divine (1809-1874). Total 7pp., 8vo (2) and 12mo (1). One letter (to "Foster") arranging a meeting, another (to "My dear Lady") about a meting, hoping she is recovered from illness ("We have all our ailments - some neuralgia - some palsy; - for my own part I suffer without intermission from the Revised Code". The other (to "Mrs Reeve") has a New Year's Greeting. Three items,

Scottish novelist and historical writer (1828-1897). 2pp., 12mo, laid down. She is delighted to accept "Mrs Hargreaves's invitation, saying when will suit her best and outlining travel plans.

Artist and Poet (1845-1915). Two Autograph Letters Signed, 2 pages and one page respectively, 4to, staining and damage especially to 1910 letter, but texts clear. (1904) Crane outlines his understanding of "the terms under which 'The Golden Primer' was produced" based on his co-author's (Meiklejohn) letters - three fifths of the proceeds. He quotes relevant detail from two letters,on of which discusses a cheap edition for schools. "I find a dummy copy of this with a cover design of mine & Blackwood's imprint". He thinks a re-issue in the "original form" a good idea.

Actress (1839-1921), wife of the actor-manager Sir Squire Bancroft (1841-1926). One page, 12mo. "A happy new year to you both / Marie Bancroft". Traces of previous mounting at head and foot of the page.

Playwright and founder of Dockland Settlements (died 1966). 4 pp, 12mo. "So many apologies for taking you down to the Savoy for nothing, but the moment Mrs Potter told me she had to motor down to Staines I 'phoned all over the place in an attempt to stop you but I suppose it was too late. [...] I am very anxious for you to play a rather important part in my new play which Mrs Potter is now producing.

(Prime Minister) Three pages, 8vo, very good condition. Text as follows: I have a request to make to you, with which I hope you will compy. It is that you will serve in the Royal Commission to enquire into the state of the University of Cambrige./ Professor Sedgwick & Sir John Herschel I [...?] likewise to ask to be members of the Commission - And in any nomination I may number I should wish to choose persons whose names will inspire confidence in the University.

Publisher. 2pp., 8vo. He discusses his reading which includes Blunden's "Cricket Country", some done for professional reasons.

One page, 12mo, with mourning border. "Sir / I enclose a cheque for 3£ the amount which I have subscribed during the last 2 or 3 years to the Lichfield Diocesan Church of England Temperance Society. As however Derbyshire is no longer in the diocese of Lichfield I cannot undertake to subscribe to the Society in future. / Yr obedt Servt / Devonshire".