DRAMA

American-born actress (1842-1917). One page, 12mo. "In answer to yr. note I first appeared in Manchester in the year 1864 in the character of "Leah". / Yrs: respectfully / K. J. Bateman Crowe". With traces of glue and paper to reverse of blank second leaf.

One page, 12mo. She has just returned from the theatre at 11 o'clock and is "delighted to have been able to obtain a ticket". Signed "May". Stuck to the foot of the page is a newspaper cutting describing Sarah Bernhardt's performance in Emile Moreau's play on Queen Elizabeth. This ends, "A word is fairly due to the work of M. Lou Teilegen and Madame May Agathe, and to the excellence of the stage management." Creased and with traces of mount on reverse.

Actress and teacher of elocution (c.1866-1945). One page, 8vo. "I am so sorry that your letter came too late for me to send you any tickets for our concert. Perhaps you will help us another year? - Truly yours / Kate Rorke-Gardiner". [Her first husband was Edward Gardiner (died 1899). Loss to one corner, and traces of previous mounting on blank verso.

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.

One page, 12mo. Very good, if a tad grubby. Thanks Draper for his 'amiable but unconvincing' note. 'Do you not know that I was irritated into bad language by being accused of "d - d impertinence? This, too, before I said a discourteous word. - Goodman [the writer Edward John Goodman], of course, rules the Committee [of the Savage Club] and even you have listened to the voice of that Israelitish charmer.' Concludes 'Mais n'importe. Either this evening or tomorrow I send in my resignation. I will neither apologize, nor renew the matter in cold blood.' Signed 'Henry S. Leigh'.

One page, small octavo. Very good, though with a little offsetting of ink from folding of letter, and a small closed tear at head. A reply to a request for an autograph - in a close, neat, hand - reading 'Dear Sir | With much pleasure as I assure you that I am | Sincerely yours | Alfred Sutro'.

French dramatist. One page, 4to, some damage in corner with loss of serval letters and words, with corrections. Note on reverse in different hand make the ascription to Marsollier: "Oraison funebre de Monsieur Marsollier [prononcee?] le 13 Avril 1815 / autographe". Oration to a "femme jeune brillante de joye et de sante pour l'unir a l'epouse qu'elle aimait et qui la rebdue si heureuse que cing ans apres j'erouverai la douleur de lui survivre et de la conduire a la derniere demeure . . . [he wants to do justice to her character which he defines] . . .

Northern Irish Author and drama critic, see DNB. Three substantial and characteristic letters, total 8pp., 4to. She has submitted some of her plays for his critical appraisal and he has been plain-spoken. In the first letter, he comments on "The Long Duel" that he appreciates its literary rather than its dramatic qualities, but likes it. He finds two "grave faults" "one of which is common to dramatists who are primarily novelists.

The Dictionary of National Biography states that T. J. Dibdin (1771-1841, closely associated with Sadler's Wells, Drury Lane and the Surrey Theatre) wrote 'nearly two thousand songs and about two hundred operas and plays'. This list, which covers the whole of his life from his earliest known work in 1789 to his death in 1841, is compiled with considerable care on the rectos and some of the versos of 79 bound and numbered leaves (most being the letterhead of the North-East Coast Exhibition, of which E. Rimbault Dibdin was the Director).

Playwright (1855-1934), knighted in 1909. One page, 8vo. "19th May, 1900. / Dear Mr Burton, / Many thanks. / Yours very truly / Arthur W. Pinero". In bad condition, with tear through signature and paper and glue from mount stuck to reverse.

English art critic and dramatist (1849-1916). One page, octavo. Very good. On grey Truslove, Hanson & Comba paper. Entitled 'Sailor's Chorus', the piece consists of two stanzas of eight lines each. It begins 'Above the mast one single star, | Still loiters in the dawn!' and ends 'Ere the swallows keel shall touch the shore | Yeo Ho! Hearts Ho! Yeo Ho! Haul away!' Signed 'J. Comyns Carr' in bottom left-hand corner.

English dramatist (1784-1862). One page, octavo. Ruckled, and with several closed tears. Reply to request for autograph. Reads 'Dear Sir, | Here it is. | Yours truly, | James Sheridan Knowles.'

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'.

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.

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

English actor-manager (1862-1951). One page, 12mo. "Dear Mrs. Merivale, / I fear that it is not in our power to purchase rights in Charlotte Corday now, much as I should like to. / Yrs faithfully / Cyril Maude". Negligible traces of previous mounting.

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.

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 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."

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 2 pp, 8vo. "I will let you know tomorrow. I have been working towards a certain goal - The T of P with the original cast. There has been a little uncertainty about an artist & I have been tempted to try other actors. I shall know by tomorrow". Smuding to recto, but signature not affected.

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 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. One page, 8vo. "Dear Lady Ashbourne / Will you & Lord Ashbourne sup with me next Monday at 34 Piccadilly Circus at 11.30 and confer great pleasure on, amongst others, / Yours sincerely / Charles Wyndham"

Singer (1744-1816?). Signature cut away from letter, 16mo. "[...] What is the date of the affair. / Every yours lovingly / Mary Davies".

Dramatic author (so docketted). One page, 12mo. "On looking (as the young women say "promiscuously") over the list of your C. G. vice Presds. I do not perceive the name of my good friend the Duke of Beaufort - Has he never belonged to it? Or if not shall I ask him?" The reverse glued to the remains of the mount, with some slight loss (not affecting text) to one of the corners. Macready mentions Dance in his diary on a few occasions, without giving his first name in full.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 12mo. "I have much pleasure in granting your complimentary request & hope you will be able to read my writing". Not in best of condition, with traces of mount glued to the reverse.

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 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 actor, playwright, songwriter (1856-1914). One page, 12mo. "You are sweet, as well as dear! We are working our heads off about the Liebhart Concert & hoping for the best / The two tickets will be sent in due course". With traces of paper and glue to the reverse of blank second leaf.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 12mo. "I am glad to hear you are getting better. There has been a bond of sympathy between us. I myself have been off colour all the week & locked up in my room yesterday and to-day."