368

(THREE GENERATIONS OF THE BRITISH STAGE)

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 700.00 USD
(THREE GENERATIONS OF THE BRITISH STAGE)
<b>368. THREE GENERATIONS OF THE BRITISH STAGE </b>An extraordinary autograph book containing over 110 signatures of British stage performers spanning over three generations of British theater, the vast majority of which are A.Q.S.'s quoting important lines from various plays. The leather-bound collection was apparently initiated for the benefit of actor and playwright John Baldwin Blackstone who managed London's prestigious Haymarket Theater from 1853 to 1876, and whose friendly spirit is said to visit the theater from time to time. The earliest signatures seem to be in celebration of Buckstone's retirement, while later additions were inscribed to other owners of this book. Most of the signatures are in the form of A.Q.S., with others presented as A.M.Q.S., and even a half-dozen or so well-rendered miniature drawings and paintings. This is a veritable "Who's Who" of the British stage, including <b>F. S. GILBERT</b>, <b>YVONNE ARNAUD</b>, <b>HELENA MODJESKA</b>, <b>JOSEPH JEFFERSON</b>, <b>MADGE KENDAL</b>, <b>HERBERT</b> and <b>MAUD BEERBOHM TREE</b>, <b>GEORGE E. FOX</b>, <b>ADA WILSON</b>, <b>GEORGE PERRIN</b>, <b>JOHN GIELGUD</b>, <b>E. A. SOTHERN</b>, <b>EDWARD HASTINGS</b>, <b>VIOLET CAMERON</b>, <b>MARY GREW</b>, <b>HENRY FOORESTER</b>, <b>ADELAIDE NEILSEN</b>, <b>BYRON WEBBER</b>, <b>WILSON BARRETT</b>, <b>THURLEY BEALE</b>, <b>E. J. ADELL</b>, <b>EDGAR BRUCE</b>, <b>J. H. MACKLIN</b>, and dozens of others, including a clipped signature of <b>QUEEN VICTORIA</b>. Covers are worn with binding loose, contents are near fine. Certainly worthy of research! <b>$500-700</b>