Autograph Collection.- Miscellaneous

A collection of autograph and typed letters by various prominent figures, mostly addressed to Mr Martin Browne, including: Vita Sackville-West ("I did not realise that you were going to read as well as Mr. Speaight because I thought that you were acting as a producer. I am however very glad indeed to know that I shall have two different voices to cater for, and your remark about your voice being lighter than Robert Speaight's is most helpful", one page, Sissinghurst Castle, 11 June 1948); John Gielgud ("I am afraid I can't read Thomas for you as I am now in the thrroes of rehearsals directing Helen hayes in 'The Glass Menagerie', and casting for my production of 'The Medea' which goes into rehearsal as soon as the Menagerie opens", one page, 16 Cowley Street, 22 June 1948); Laurence Olivier ("I think it only fair to warn you that I have taken the unpardonable liberty of putting a Miss Maria Fein on to you. She is an Austrian actress with an Austrian troup, who is anxious to come to England, and I understand from the Arts Council that the only possibility of her doing this is by some kind of a swap", one page, Denham Studios, 19 May 1947); Flora Robson ("I feel I am letting you down about 'The Firstborn', but I am not very keen about the part of Arnath. If I were a man I would love to play Moses, but I find Arnath rather dull. There is no scene where I fell I could let myself go", one page, MountFort, Ellis Avenue, 13 May, n.y ); Cosmo Lang (letter signed "Cosmo Cantuar", saying in part "The Bishop of Dover has been telling me about your work and I am so anxious that opportunities of recreating and refreshnment should be given to our people during these long dark winter evenings", one page, Lambeth Palace, 23 October 1939); Eric Gill ("I hope your admirable enterprise will flourish. I write in haste to send you rough prints of engravings which might suit your purpose", one page, Pigotts, 27 Novembe 1939); Benjamin Britten ("Ronald Duncan has not sent me a script, and though I see that a tenor could be preferable, I don't see it as essential (tenor being such rare birds)", one page, Old Mill, Suffolk, 21 April 1944); Dorothy L. Sayers (typed letter with some handwritten additions, commenting on the characters of the radio play cycle on the life of Christ, The Man Born to be King, two pages, 24 Newland Street, Witham, 16 June 1941); John Masefield (autograph note thanking Browne for his letter, one page, Abingdon, n.d.); Edward Gordon Craig ("I am not in Paris, but I am only about 1/2 hour from Paris in an old garden and old house. Here I came to rest, was exceedingly tired aftre 6 years in Paris and no day in the country. I am reviving and shall like to see you if you will feel you have need of some hours of country air and a talk over theatre things", two pages, Chez Mme Bricard, les Cotteaux, Corbeil, n.d.); Sybil Thorndike ("I must send you a line to say how gald I am you and Christopher are having such an interesting time in America", two pages, Durham, 17 March n.y); Lewis Casson (typed letter mostly discussing logistics for an upcoming tour, two pages, 7 November 1944); J. B. Priestley (decling an invitation to see one of Browne's productions on September 9th "for this is the date on which my play 'An Inspector Calls' opens with the Old Vic in Manchester", one page, 17 August 1946) and others; v.s. (quantity)