Tom Taylor Playwright Comic Writer (5 results)

3pp., 8vo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with remains of stub along one edge. Second leaf inserted into a paper windowpane mount. Written in a hurried and difficult hand. Taylor writes that he wishes to have a portrait put into a case 'by the workman you employ for such work'. He gives instructions, concluding 'The portrait I think the most satisfactory that has yet been taken of me.' The National Portrait Gallery possesses an albumen carte-de-visite of Taylor ('1864 or before') by John & Charles Watkins.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on aged paper, with remains of stub along one edge. Written in a difficult hand. Taylor begins: 'Dear Mr Mewburn, I shall not be at Sessions [as a barrister on the northern circuit] any more. I have just accepted an appointment as legal Assistant Secretary to the Board of Health, and I enter on the duties of the place on Monday. The salary is £500 per: an: to begin with, with the prospect of increase. I think the work will suit me, and I am sure that the situation will be one of increasing responsibility and duties every day more onerous & useful.' He hopes this step will meet with Mewburn's approval, and asks to be remembered 'most affectionately to all at Larch field'. He concludes 'My vacations in future will be short - but I hope, nevertheless, to be able to spend the first of them, or part of it, in Darlington.'.

4pp., 12mo. On aged paper, with minor traces of gum from mount. Taylor begins: 'My dear Charles Neville | I was glad to receive your letter, for it showed that the seed I had taken pains to sow had not fallen, as most seed so sown in the theatre does fall, upon an ungrateful soil. I am very glad for your own sake, as well as that of fthe play, that your impersonation of William the IIId has made such a good mark, and a mark of the right kind - as a presentation of a historical personage of note in distinctive character.' Neville has 'much to learn - especially in the very difficult point of modulation of the voice, which shd. be as flexible & transparent to shroud the thought through it, as a robe of India muslin to shroud the form.' He urges Neville to 'work at this night & day', and to 'not be satisfied till you have tamed your rebellious organ'. He should 'always take good advice, & be grateful for pains bestowed upon you by those whose advice & instruction are disinterested, sound, and founded on a high conception of your art.'.

A nice item relating to a famously secretive and influential society. See Taylor's entry in the Oxford DNB (Ferrar is not to be confused with the Dean of Canterbury Frederic Farrar, who was an Apostle). 2pp, 12mo. On bifolium. Sixteen lines, very neatly written. On aged and creased paper, with part of the leaf torn away at top left (not affecting text). Folded for postage. Addressed to 'Tom Taylor Esqre. / 8 Richmond Terrace / Whitehall / S.W.' and signed 'Fredc: Ferrar. / Genl. Manager.' Headed 'Cambridge Conversazione Socy.' Begins: 'Dear Sir, / Your order to hand this day for above Dinner for Wednesday next June 14th. will have my best attention. Covers will be laid for 24 persons, and although the late inclement weather has seriously affected the prices of Dessert articles, I will endeavour to keep the price to 16s/. per head; but I may have to make it 17s/6d. - The Wines &c. will be charged as last year, - the a/c sent for my guidance must be that of a previous dinner, as there appears to be some discrepancy in figures. I will also arrange for the hire of an Omnibus.' Postscript: 'Dinner 1/2 past 6 for 7 o'clock.'.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The first page headed 'Act III', and the whole tightly-written and filled with deletions, interpolations and marginal notes, providing a valuable insight into the creative process of one of Victorian England's most successful dramatists. The last page breaks off: 'Handeside confesses his own desperate attachment. Markham '. 'A Sister's Penance' was a great success, with 83 performances at the Adelphi between 26 November 1866 and 2 March 1867.