pope w j macqueen (41 Ergebnisse)

Zustand: Good. No Edition Remarks. 350 pages. No dust jacket. Green cloth. Contains black and white photographic plates. Pages and binding are presentable with no major defects. Minor issues present such as mild cracking, inscriptions, inserts, light foxing, tanning and thumb marking. Overall a good condition item. Boards have mild shelf wear with light rubbing and corner bumping. Some light marking and sunning.

Zustand: Fair. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. No dust jacket. Shelf worn exterior. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,600grams, ISBN:

Zustand: Fair. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. No dust jacket. Undated Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,800grams, ISBN:

Zustand: Fair. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,600grams, ISBN:

Hardcover. Zustand: Very Good. Zustand des Schutzumschlags: Very Good. Heavy, extra postage required unless posted within South Africa. The jacket is a little shelf rubbed. It is protected in cellophane. The boards show little wear. Internally, clean. Tightly bound. [ak]. Our orders are shipped using tracked courier delivery services.

Hardcover. Zustand: Good. Hardback. Wear and tear to dust jacket.

Hardcover. Zustand: Good. Zustand des Schutzumschlags: Good. The jacket is edgeworn and marked.Little foxing.Well bound.[R.K]. Our orders are shipped using tracked courier delivery services.

Hardcover. Zustand: Very Good. W.H. Allen January 1945 Binding: Hardcover VG. in VG dj dj in mylar, price clipped 349 pages. Illustrated by illus. reprint edition. 8vo.

Hardback. Zustand: Very Good. First Edition. Rubbing to front covers outer corners. Pages clean and bright, no markings, light wear to edges. ALL ITEMS ARE DISPATCHED FROM THE UK WITHIN 48 HOURS ( BOOKS ORDERED OVER THE WEEKEND DISPATCHED ON MONDAY) ALL OVERSEAS ORDERS SENT BY TRACKABLE AIR MAIL. IF YOU ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE THE UK PLEASE ASK US FOR A POSTAGE QUOTE FOR MULTI VOLUME SETS BEFORE ORDERING.

Zustand: Fair. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,650grams, ISBN:

Zustand: Fair. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,550grams, ISBN:

First Edition: Black cloth spine and rear bd., colour illustrated front bd., gold and black titles, 140 x 220 mm., 600 grms., 350 pp., with index, illustrated throughout with bw. photographic plates + 1 colour plate of Theatre Royal, Foreword by Ivor Novello, textual eps., faded spine, some scuff marks to front bd., edges rubbed, no dw., Good copy.

1p, 8vo. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. Folded once. Salutation ('My dear Popey -') and valediction ('My love to you both - | Anna.') in her autograph; the rest typed. Good bold signature. Reads: 'It was so very kind of you to think of me on Saturday. The play has had a perfectly lovely reception so, now the first night is over, we shall be able really to enjoy ourselves!' The play she is referring to is Robert Nesbitt's 'The Glorious Days', which had a run of 476 performances at the Palace Theatre, and which was made into the 1954 film 'Lilacs in the Spring', in which she starred with Errol Flynn. See her entry, and Macqueen-Pope's, in the Oxford DNB.

1p, 8vo. On aged and worn paper, with spots of rust staining from paperclip. Folded twice. Addressed to MP at 359 Strand, WC2. Reads: 'Dear Popie, | Children's Theatre | "Sound" | This is just to acknowledge your rough draft of the article you suggest. I have not had time to look at it yet, but I will do so as soon as I possibly can. Meanwhile, perhaps your secretary will let my secretary know the latest date for returning it.' MP's reason for sending the article to Donat is not immediately apparent. Donat's papers are in the University of Manchester Special Collections.

See her entry and his in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. Signed 'Ruby'. Begins: 'Popie, darling, / What are we coming to? / You - as a pierrot with the "Fol-de-Rols"! / BBC/TV must be mad not to let you do a talk on the St. James's. / But after the Gaiety fiasco I can believe anything of them. / Both Evadne & I have suggested you for the Lustgarten [broadcaster and crime writer Edgar Lustgarten] programme: "Crosstalk." / They are delighted [last word underlined] & will contact you.' She gives details of the 'present series' adding: 'They also want the names of Gaiety Girls who married out of the peerage & retired into the country, for another programme they are doing in the autumn, so I told them to ask you as I don't remember their names. / There was Phyllis (Barton, I think) & a Nancy (Taylor, I think) who were with us at the Saxone "do."' She ends with love to him and his wife Stella.

Cloth. Zustand: Very Good Indeed. Zustand des Schutzumschlags: Good. Not Stated (illustrator). First edition. The first edition in the original cloth with the original unclipped dust wrapper, illustrated with twenty five mostly photographic black and white plates. The first edition in the publisher's original cloth with the original bright, unclipped dust wrapper.The first edition, illustrated with twenty five mostly photographic black and white plates. Collated, complete.With a coloured frontispiece.Includes a foreword by the author's associate, Ivor Novello.Theatre Royal, Drury Lane details the history of the theatre from opening (1663) to the mid-twentieth century. In the publisher"s original cloth with the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, very smart with shelf wear and slight creasing of the extremities.Bumping to spine head and tail. The odd light mark to the boards. Dust wrapper generally smart. Small area of loss from tear to bottom of front wrap. Further chips and minor closed tears to extremities and spine head and tail of wrap. Age toning and the odd spot to wrap, particularly reverse. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright if slightly age toned, with the odd spot, heaviest to the first and last few. Text print designs to both paste downs. Very Good Indeed. book.

From the Macqueen-Pope papers (see his entry in the Oxford DNB). 2pp, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, and folded three times for postage. She asks him to send '3 or 4 more copies' of his 'nice write up in the "Sunday Chronicle" March 13th.', as she would like to send 'a copy to Australia, Canada & America, as there is some talk about my going to America in the near future'. She has 'tried all over Streatham and Brixton and it seems impossible to get a copy anywhere', and will be happy to pay the cost. She would 'also like to ask you if you could put me in touch with anyone who could write up my memoirs for me'.

See the entries for Warner and Macqueen-Pope in the Oxford DNB. Such was the popularity of Warner's portrayal of George Dixon, that the Queen told him it had become part of 'the British way of life', and he was carried to his grave by six real officers from Paddington Green Police Station. LETTER: 1p, 4to. Folded twice. In good condition, lightly aged. Signature 'Jack.' and salutation to 'My dear Popie' in Warner's hand; the rest typed. Letterhead with his name. He is sending 'the long promised photos', delayed because he 'had to get some new prints of the "pipe" one. It is the character I play in the film, "Carve her name with Pride", with Virginia McKenna and Paul Schofield. / I look a bit scruffy but I think people get a bit fed up with "tidy" pictures, and anyway it is the character, and after all that is what matters.' He 'just got through the show' on the previous Saturday, before going 'home to bed with "flu". It was a very near thing and I have never felt more like chucking my hand in, but only because I could hardly think or see anybody. What we do for ART, eh? I'd like to meet this fellow Art one of these days.' In a postscript he states that his 'Indian doctor performed a miracle'. PHOTOGRAPH: 16 x 20.5 cm black and white print, with unobtrusive vertical crease. Inscribed 'To / A lifelong "FAN."' and 'With best wishes / Sincerely / Jack Warner / Sergt Dixon'. A smiling Warner, in the part of Police Sergeant George Dixon, stands in uniform with one hand on his desk. See image.

See her entry and that of Macqueen-Pope in the Oxford DNB. The two items are in fair condition, on aged and lightly-worn paper. Both with the valediction and signature in a large flowing hand, and the second letter also with an autograph postscript. Both are 1p, 4to, and folded three times. ONE (7 July 1952): Addressed to 'Popie my dear' and with autograph valediction 'Yours always / Julia'. She has 'not been too well for over a year', and the previous year her 'stupid heart did foolish things', and she was 'ordered to bed for six weeks or more'. She is still 'not allowed to do too much'. She concludes: 'I suppose it is something to have lived to eighty-four, and it is not so easy to throw off things as when one was young. Still, I have had a very good innings, haven't I, and should be contented. I am.' TWO (19 June 1953): Addressed to 'Dear thoughtful Popie', with autograph valediction 'My love / Julia', with autograph postscript 'Everything seems "touched" in this letter!!!' (As the following indicates she uses the word 'touched' twice.) She was 'very touched by your very sweet and I must say flattering telegram to old Julia'. He was 'a dear to take the trouble to remember the eightyfive-year-old girl and she is always touched by the charming little compliments you pay her'. She hopes they will 'meet again soon at a little luncheon', and will arrange that later on.

See the recipient's entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. Signed 'Evelyn Lake'. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of paperclip. Folded once. She enjoyed his 'article in yesterday's Reynolds News', and thinks it is 'Lovely to be able to make people laugh spontaneously. Hence the little verses enclosed.' (Accompanying the letter, printed on a small square of paper, is a sixteen-line poem in four stanzas, with first line 'Sweet laughter is beloved of kings -', signed in type 'EVELYN LAKE.') She thanks him for replying to her letter despite being 'so busy': 'I am taking your advice and writing Mr Tom Arnold to ask if he will look at my play.' She is 'still in touch with children' and tries 'to avoid boring them. I believe I can still interest them, though the moderns are tough, lots of them.' She will be in London shortly 'and will entrust my play to Mr Arnold if he will consent to read it, but I want to try every source I can, get my rejection quickly if it has to be that!'.

The three items (two letters from Peter Opie to MacQueen-Pope and carbon copy of his reply to the first of these) are in fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper, with a slight nick at the head of the first letter. Inspired by the recent publication of MP's 'The Melody Lingers On: The Story of Music Hall' (1950), Opie writes to MP via his publishers W. H. Allen & Co, and signs both letters 'Peter Opie.' MP writes to Opie at Rockbourne House. ONE: TLS from Opie to MP. 20 January 1951. 1p, 4to. He has been 'absorbed this last week' in MP's 'detailed and fascinating account of Music Hall', and as editor with his wife of the forthcoming 'Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes' asks MP to elucidate two points, the first relating to John Dunn, Thomas D. Rice and the song 'Jump Jim Crow'; the second with relation to 'the splendid Concanen sheet' of the Great Macdermott's song 'Jeremiah, blow the fire'. Regarding the second point he writes: 'Since we have only found this rhyme in the nursery in the 20th century, it looks as if it is a memory of Macdermott's song. We would be considerably indebted to you if you could give us the original words of this song. I am afraid the sheet is not in the British Museum. I wonder, also, if you have any idea of its date? Judging by the name of the composer, and the style of Concanen's drawing, I should say some time before 1880. What would you?' He ends in concurring with 'the reviewer in the T.L.S.' that MP is being unduly modest 'in disclaiming that you have written a definitive history of the Halls. It is difficult to imagine a more comprehensive work on the subject, unless, of course, you yourself intend a further and "definitive" history'. TWO: Unsigned Carbon of TL from MP to Opie. 23 January 1951. 1p, 4to. He gives information about James Dunn, one of whose popular 'turns' was 'the performance of "Jim Crow" - which had been invented or copied from the American negroes by Thomas D. Rice [.] Another expert in this curious act was Yates, an actor-manager who ruled the Adelphi Theatre for some years from 1825'. He gives a long anecdote about Yates performing the 'turn' on the hustings, after being caught voting Tory at an election ('they disapproved of actors showing political favour'). Regarding 'Jeremiah, blow the fire', MP only has the cover of the song, the rest having possibly become detached. He will 'have it searched for. Meanwhile I think Francis Day and Hunter could help you with the words and date. It was originally published by Francis Brothers and Day - so they will have a record.' THREE: TLS from Opie to MP. 25 January 1951. 1p, landscape 12mo. Thanking MP for his 'helpful letter'. 'Were we not already in page proof I should seek to include some of your further anecdotes about Jim Crow. It seems to have had a famous history. Bernard Shaw told us the dance was also a great favourite of Barry Sullivan's. I would like to see someone do it now.' He will 'write to Mr. Abbott immediately'.

Enters exhibited her artistic work - including many sketches of her own costume designs - widely in the United States and Europe, and her work is held by several museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The present item is an attractive impressionistic sketch, in grey and black pencil, with watercolour wash in pink, light red and grey, showing a dancer with arms outstretched and heavy costume with full sleeves and train. Captioned by Enters at bottom left: 'Fleur du Mal (Proust Sequence)'. Signed at bottom left: 'Angna Enters '56'. On 23 x 15.5 cm laid paper. In fair condition, despite light creasing, dogeared corners and one short closed nick at edge. Inserted, with tissue guard, in envelope with stamps and postmarks, addressed by her to 'W. Macqueen Pope, Esq., | Reuter (News Service) | 85, Fleet Street | London, E.C. | England', and marked 'Personal'. The letter has been redirected in pencil to 5 Coventry Street. The flap has Enters' embossed address. MacQueen-Pope would have had a number opportunities to become acquainted with her work. In her article 1980 article 'Agna Enters: American Dance-Mime' Ginnine Cocuzza notes that Enters made her London debut in 1928, and her television debut on the BBC in 1952. Cocuzza also notes that in 1959, on CBS's 'Camera Three' Enters performed 'three of her dance-mime compositions: 'Pierrot- Figures in Moonlight', 'Queen of Heaven' and 'Fleur du Mal - Tango Dancer''. The present costume design is from the last of these. (See also 'Uncommon Eloquence: A Biography of Angna Enters, Writer, Dance-Mime, Artist' by Dorothy Mandel (1986).) The Angna Enters and Louis Kalonyme Papers are held by the Beinecke Library, Yale University.

For information on Littler see the entry in the Oxford DNB of his brother Prince Frank Littler (1901-1973), who did not share Emile's 'affection for plays or players individually'. Also see Macqueen-Pope's entry in the same work. The three items in fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Both signed 'Emile'. ONE: TLS of 15 November 1957. 1p, 4to. Reads: 'My dear Popie, / You know about everything in the Theatre, and I am wondering if you could tell me how many London pantomimes Julian Wylie did, either by himself or as the Wylie-Tate organisation. / I would be very interested to know if by any chance you have this information available.' In autograph: 'Many THANKS -' and minor correction. With pencil note by recipient. TWO: TLS of 19 November 1957. 1p, 4to. He thanks him for his letter, 'which I greatly appreciate. / I had been asked whether Julian Wylie had done more pantomimes in London than I had, or vice versa. I had an idea that I was quite a number ahead and you have kindly confirmed it. Actually, I have done fourteen in the West End and nobody living to-day has done as many as that.' He thanks him for his trouble, and evidently sending a bottle of wine, ends: 'Would you toast Julian with the attached.' THREE: Unsigned carbon of Macqueen-Pope's reply to Item One, 18 November 1957. Speaking form memory, since his 'references' are 'at home', he gives details of 'nine major pantomimes' that 'Julian did' in London.

For information on Macqueen-Pope, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. The present item is from his papers. Unsigned carbon copy of typed letter, with '(W. Macqueen-Pope)' typed below space for signature. 2pp, 4to. Sixty-one lines of text. Text clear and complete, on lightly aged and creased paper, with slight water stain to one edge and damage to top left-hand corner from paperclip. The letter begins: 'My Dear John, / Re the toys which made Xmas long ago. One would want a picture of the men standing shoulder to shoulder down Ludgate Hill, in the gutter, selling the penny toys. These they carried on trays, with a support round their necks. The toys were of all sorts - a list -'. A list of thirty-two lines follows, beginning: 'Little men taking off their tall hats when a string was pulled. / Little tortoises in boxes with glass tops, which waggled their legs when moved.' Ends with: 'Little bits of metal like aeroplane propellors [sic] which rose in the air when pushed up a screwed rod. / Watchmen's rattles - yellow and red. / Bulls eye lanterns.' The recipient has followed each entry on the list with a tiny tick in ink. Macqueen-Pope continues with twenty-three lines listing 'toys which have almost if not quite vanished - b[u]t which cost more than a penny - some as much as sixpence'. These include: 'Tin palm tress [sic] bearing cocoanuts and a nigger smwarmed [sic] up it, caught a cocoa nut in a try on his head and came down.' and 'The Wheel of Life - a circular tin affair looking like a round saucepan with no handle. It had slots in the side. Into the bottom went a spike. You put rolls of paper - with illustrations inside, facing inwards, you twirled it round, looked through the slots and the pictures moved. This was the origin of the cinema.' Also 'Slap bangs, which went off with a satisfying bang when dropped. Scared old men and made cyclists think they had a puncture.' Postscript: 'White mice and pigs made of sugar. Tiger nuts - locusts. Everlasting stick'.

See her entry and that of her husband Fred Terry (1863-1933), brother of Dame Ellen Terry, and of the recipient of these letters W. J. Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), the foremost British theatre historian of the twentieth century, in the Oxford DNB. The seven items (Neilson's five letters and carbon copies of two typed letters to her from Macqueen-Pope) are in good condition, lightly aged and creased. The first letter is signed 'Julia Neilson-Terry' and the other four 'Julia'. The first is addressed to 'Mr Macqueen Pope' and the others to 'Popie'. ONE: ALS, 1 March 1949. 3pp, landscape 12mo. On grey paper with thin mourning border. She invites him as her guest to 'a dinner given by the Saturday Club: Dame Lilian Barker J.P. etc our President is in the Chair & its usually an interesting evening'. She gives details of time and dress and names the speakers as Miss Sybil Campbell and Dr Halliday Sutherland. She realizes it is 'a long way off', but hopes to 'be lucky to have you with us', as well as Irene Vanburgh. TWO: TLS, 19 June 1949. 1p, 8vo. She thanks him for flowers and a 'sweet message', and was sorry he could not be present at the 'cheery tea' (in celebration of her eightieth birthday?): 'Of course I didn't mind you telling the Press. It was darling of you to think that I should have it, but I must confess that I was a little awed and surprised when they arrived in the garden and started to take interviews and photographs. Oh, my dear, you naughty dear! Still, a lovely dear to have thought of this old lady.' THREE: TLS, 20 June 1950. 1p, 8vo. She thanks him again for a 'lovely message' on her birthday. 'I had a happy day, but I now arrange that there shall be no more birthdays after this last!' Florid signature, in red ink, '& thank you! | Julia'. FOUR: TLS, 26 June 1951. 1p, 8vo. Expressing pleasure at receiving his latest book. 'I think you are the most amazing man to have to probe into the past and find the wonderful and complete history of the profession. | I love this last one of yours, and I love the message with it and am very proud to possess this copy. | Thank you, my dear, many many times for remembering Julia.' FIVE: TLS, 28 June 1955. 1p, 8vo. Begins: 'Popie, my Dear, | Thank you both a thousand times for your sweet thoughts of me on the 12th. Your love and affection always touches me very deeply, my dear friend.' There is gradual improvement after her 'recent illness', 'But as they so rightly tell me - eighty-seven is not twenty-seven! I find I tire very easily.' She is impressed that Sylvia Grey has got through her operation 'with flying colours at 90! What a woman! | I expect you're working as hard as ever, and that there's another book on the way? What a fiend for work you are!' SIX and SEVEN: Unsigned carbon copies of letters by Macqueen-Pope to her. SIX: 3 March 1949 (1p, 4to), in reply to Item One. It is 'terrible', but he must decline, as he has 'a broadcast booked for that date [.] It is for Overseas, but it is an hour's shot with bands, choirs and all sorts of things - part of a series'. SEVEN: 5 June 1951. 1p, 4to. He sends 'two nice gangway seats for the Palace on Saturday', and has been 'writing some nice things about you in my book about Ivor [Novello]'.

Mackenzie's letter is 1p., landscape 12mo. 16 lines. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with a crease to one corner. He thanks MP for his 'encouraging letter' and discusses his own 'silly slip about the Faery Queen's entrance' in a radio broadcast: 'I was so much concerned with giving listeners the difference between the O.P. and the Prompt side that it became a question of physician heal thyself.' He continues: 'I wasn't sure of the year Mille Le Garde [sic] sang that song. Probably '97. Rose Dering was the Aladdin. She was second boy. Ted Young was the Widow Twankey. By the way in the pantomime in which Marie Lloyd was principal girl and sang Ta Ra Ra Boom de Ay, Vesta Tilley was the principal Boy, but I cannot remember the name of the pantomime.' He would like to get hold of copies of 'The Stage' for the 1880s and 1890s, and hopes that they 'may meet sometime. it would give me great pleasure.' An autograph postscript reads: 'I always enjoy your books very much'. Carbon copy of MP's reply: 1p., 8vo. Creased and aged. 18 lines. He gives chapter and verse (names, dates, venues) concerning the points raised by CM, concluding 'I hope we meet before long'.

See the recipient's entry in the Oxford DNB. Both letters signed 'Elsa'. ONE (7 December 1951): 1p, 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded three times. Thirty-eight lines of text. She received his letter while wishing to contact him, and wonders if this is a coincidence. 'And my wanting to write you grew out of an intense yearning to be in London again'. She asks after his family, and for information about what writing he has in hand: 'What, if anything, are you "in love with" on the London stage now?' She urges him to make 'a rip to these shores': 'hie yourself and your Stella [his wife] over here, so we can talk, and I'll appoint myself your guide in New York (as you did so thoughtfully in London), and you'll see our lovely Hudson River from my apartment here'. Having previously referred to her 'country home (in Margaretville, New York)', she adds, '(or, if you love the mountains as I do), we could go up to our home in the mountains, and listen to the silence there, and drink deeply of really pure air, and fill our souls with peace.' She ends with an enquiry after 'Swaff' and 'Mrs. Swaffer'. TWO (15 December [1947?]). 1p, 12mo. In good condition, folded twice. Begins: 'After six years I am now approaching the shore of England once more, and my heart beats faster in anticipation!' She will be in London in two days, and will be staying at the Dorchester. 'I'm eagerly looking forward to meeting you again!' After discussing telephone arrangements, and asking after his family, she ends: 'Perhaps you've heard that Stanley French has my play, "Tomorrow Is A Secret", under contract.?' (The Library of Congress gives the play's copyright date as 8 May 1947.) See image (Cunard Headed).

See the entries for writer and recipient in the Oxford DNB. The three items in good condition, lightly aged, with the last carrying minor rusting from paperclip. ONE: 3pp, 8vo. She got his office number from 'Mrs. Popie', 'but the line has been busy all the time'. She asks for 'a pass for darling Ivor's [i.e. Ivor Novello's] memorial service'. The previous week she was 'playing at the Regent Theatre, Hayes, & on the Monday night I was weighed down by a dreadful foreboding of disaster'. The play was a 'psychic thriller' by Evadne Price, 'Through the Door', in which she was playing the medium, and 'Sitting in the cabinet, during the place, I could not shake off this dreadfull depression, & when Lea Seidl rang me on Tuesday & told me the tragic news of Ivor, I realized why I had felt so awful'. She regards Novello's 'passing' as 'a national disaster, [.] quite apart from the personal loss we all feel'. Her 'heart aches for all his friends at the Palace [Theatre], as it must be torture for them to have to play, & hear his music now'. She feels that Novello's death is 'almost like losing Max [her second husband the concert pianist Max Darewski, who died five months into their marriage in 1929] all over again'. She considered Novello 'a great & wonderful soul, (& still is), as well as a genius. Despite the grimness of the world today, he brought light & beauty to everything he touched, & everyone he contacted'. At least he 'gained his wish to go out on the crest of the wave, & in harness. Bless him.' TWO: 2pp, 12mo. With thin mourning border. She thanks him for 'the memorial sheets' (to Novello's service). 'Evadne was so glad to have one, [.] I am air-mailing the other to Evelyn at Melbourne'. She agrees that it is 'very strange about Peter Noble & Ivor's book'. She hopes MP will 'do a book about him later on' (MP's biography of Novello would appear at the end of the year), as she feels it would be 'the only way to put the authentic Ivor before later generations'. THREE: 8 October 1951. 4pp, 8vo. Bifolium on grey paper. She thanks him for a 'wonderful night!' (the Memorial Performance for Novello at Drury Lane, 7 October 1951) and feels sure that 'Mrs. Popie will be interested to hear that I saw Ivor. Max was ith him, & Ivor stood with Noel during his [lovely?] speech, [Coward recited his own 'Tribute' in blank verse] & then with Tom Arnold. / He smiled & waved to us all & was looking radiant. Wearing a grey cloak like the one in "Perchance to Dream". Many spirit forms filled the stage until it looked rather like that last scene in "Perchance".' She has written to Arnold about a 'curious coincidence' regarding 'the sum raised' and Novello's 'Keep the Home Fires burning'. She offers to sell programmes at the preview of 'South Pacific'. The letter continues with a discussion of her lack of a telephone and coming departure from her flat. She will be 'pretty busy speaking on political platforms for the next two weeks', after which she hopes to do 'another Gaiety show at the Players'. She mentioned MP's book in the last Gaiety show, 'which we had to take off, despite enormous success, through some very ridiculous rule connected with the Stage Rights Society, that forbids numbers to be presented, usually, without the entire book of the Show.' As a result, 'numbers from famous old Gaiety Shows can only be heard on the radio!' Accompanying Item Three is a carbon copy (1p, 8vo) of MP's typed reply. He thanks her for her 'most interesting and thrilling' letter. 'I am putting your name forward in respect of your kind offer to help at Drury Lane.'.

The three items in good condition, lightly aged. An entertaining and characteristic exchange, with MacQueen-Pope's letter (Item Three) dating from between Hicks's two. ONE: ALS from 'Seymour H.' to 'My dear old Poppie'. Undated, with envelope with Capetown postmark dated 6 July 1942, addressed to 'McQueen Pope Ere. | Drury Lane Theatre | Drury Lane | London | W. C. 1 | From Sir Seymour Hicks'. 2pp, 8vo. 79 lines of closely-written text, headed 'Private & Confidential'. The letter begins: 'A million thanks for your witty & newsy letter - It was a godsend - & do do write me again - You cant think what it is like here - all one gets is the Radio & no [?] information of any kind'. He responds to MP's gossip concerning 'B. D.', i.e. Basil Dean (1888-1978), whose ENSA was based in Drury Lane during the war: 'It is a sad pity B. D. doesnt try & make people happy. Life is not very long - I dont think I could face another dose of Drury Lane - for the Jewels that the show fires lose - I got a long letter from Frank Collins & Kenneth sends me a line sometimes for which I am more than thankful'. He criticises South Africa as 'a large country with small people who have nothing to talk about but parochial affairs [.] In discussing Painting the other day I happened to say I possessed a Whistler & the lady I was talking to said Yes I have a brother who plays the mouth organ - If one lived here long enough one would become a very intelligent [mummy?] - I pine to get home - but Ella is still ill & has been so for months now'. He gives more personal news. 'I feel desperate at this & feel am quite forgotten - What is it? I did 110 performances in 4 months & have travelled 20 thousand miles by air & sea since I left home'. He has pasted a newspaper cutting of an advertisement for 'Basil Dean's Health Clinic' at the foot of the first page to give MP 'a laugh', commenting: 'I knew B. D. was a hard worker but he never told me he was also a chiropodist'. He comments on Eric Barker and Peter Page, before returning to his dissatisfaction with South Africa: 'There is no possibility of any work. There is not one theatre [.] all cinemas'. He asks if MP thinks he 'could stand a chance of getting into Parliament on my return - or being allowed to act again - I get depressed by sad words - being so far away from you all - Living on capital is anything but capital'. He discusses the wartime situation: 'The impression here is that we shall soon be attacked by the Japanese. Its lucky I know the Mikado by heart'. He ends in despair: 'I wish I could give you some amusing news - but there is nothing amusing here - of any kind - [.] Think of me & of me & advise me what to do - my remembrances to Sir Herbert - I am glad to hear he is well again - My kindest wishes to Mr Harold Conway - & any one who remembers I am alive - Im not sure that I am - I have forgotten what laughter sounds like - and I am [?] to get home | Keep well & safe old man & let us pray this damn war will end this year | Yours always - | Seymour H.' TWO: Airgraph letter from 'Seymour' to 'My dear old Popie', replying to Item Three below. Reproducing a 31-line one-page ALS on the customary small piece of paper. Resuming his criticism, he finds South Africa 'a country with as many laughs in it as are to be found in a writ'; makes a joke about Hitler being punished by being made 'an under waiter in a Jewish restaurant'; sends regards to 'Swaff'; notes that 'Broome has left the Palace of fun & games'; asks MP to remember to tell 'Sir Herbert D. that I must be made the Labour member for Barking Creek'; wishes he could write an amusing letter, but doubts 'Napoleon was feeling very funny at St. Helena'; praises MP's 'D[rury] Lane broadcasts', adding 'I know you will pop in a word about me when you can or I shall be as forgotten as a film star ought to be'; has 'a new book coming out next month Vintage Years Cassells'. THREE: Unsigned carbon copy of TLS from MP to Hicks. 2pp, folio. A very long single-space.

Each letter 1p, 8vo. Both in fair condition, lightly aged and creased. On signing one of the letters she has slightly smudged it. ONE: 28 May [1950]. She thanks him for his 'fascinating-looking book, THE MELODIES LINGER ON', and for his 'most generous inscription'. She and her husband 'Richard' (the drama critic Richard Halliday) have 'read bits and pieces and have looked at every photograph, and can't wait to really sit down and read the book from cover to cover!' She continues: 'And that will be soon. I close here this coming Saturday, June 2nd - and Richard and I leave June 4th for six weeks - and we expect to do nothing but eat and sleep and rest and read.' She gives 'our present schedule', with reference to her sons Heller and Larry (i.e. Larry Hagman, star of the TV series 'Dallas'). They are all going on 'a trip through Ireland and Scotland', 'if the army doesn't get [Larry] first'. She ends with reference to an interview with 'two English women from the DAILY MAIL', and ends with her secretary's address. TWO: Undated [1951]. It is 'truly wonderful' to hear from him, and as requested she is 'sending under separate cover two programs from SOUTH PACIFIC', the difference between which she explains. She continues: 'Yes, I can't help but let myself get more and more excited each day about the possibility of being back at Drury Lane and seeing all of you again. If and when we open there, it certainly will be the culmination of a long plan. | Just imagine - when I left London I said that my idea of perfection would be to play one year in New York and one year in London and back and forth that way for the rest of my life. It seems unbelievable that if we do open in October or November, it will be five years since I've been there. Moreover, it will be only a few more weeks before I celebrate two years in SOUTH PACIFIC. | You can't blame me for being excited!' She ends by joining her best wishes to those of 'Richard and Heller'. Mary Martin did indeed bring 'South Pacific' to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where it ran for 802 performances with Wilbur Evans as co-star. Sean Connery was in the chorus.