AMERICAN SHOWMAN CREATOR OF “THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH” Autograph Letter Signed, one page, octavo, Bridgeport, Connecticut, September 24, 1881. On lined paper, imprinted with the name, “Waldemere.” To “My dear Dr. Reid.” “I have just returned from the great show at St. Louis and found your letter. I hope Mr. Wildman has recd … [ Read More ]
Theater
Coward, Noel
English actor, playwright and composer. Autograph Musical Quotation Signed, one page, on a 3 by 8 inch sheet, undated. Noel Coward writes seven measures of his song, “I’ll Follow My Secret Heart,” with words to the refrain, “I’ll follow my secret heart my whole life through.” Inscribed to Lionel Aucoin. Noel Coward’s song, “I’ll Follow … [ Read More ]
Coward, Noel
“…THE BIGGEST SMASH HIT IN NEW YORK.” English actor, playwright, and composer best known for highly polished comedies of manners. Typewritten Letter Signed, May 21, 1958, octavo, on stationary with the address 404 East 55th Street, New York. To “My dear Bink” (Hugh Beaumont). “Thanks ever so for your letter. “Yes, I am very keen … [ Read More ]
Houdini, Harry
Hungarian-American magician and escape artist. Printed Program Signed, “Houdini / may 15/1924 / ‘my brain is the key that sets me free,’” in pencil, diagonally on the right of a program, presumably in New York, which lists the speakers: Frederick A. Stokes, toastmaster; Harry Houdini, a Magician Among the Spirite; A. E. Wiggam, Selling Science … [ Read More ]
Kern, Jerome
American composer of Broadway musicals. “Show Boat.” Autograph Musical Quotation Signed Jerome Kern and inscribed “To my young friend Bill Fowler with every good wish from his sincerely Jerome Kern.” December 1939. Kern has penned two measures of the song Why do I Love You from the musical Show Boat, on the title page of … [ Read More ]
Olivier, Sir Lawrence
SIR LAWRENCE OLIVIER. British actor. Autograph Letter Signed, Larry, four full pages, octavo, Brighton, “Mon. 5th or 4th or something Sept.,” n.y. To “Darling Angel Girl,” [Madeline Sherwood, wife of screenwriter Robert Sherwood]. “How lovely to hear from you, and thank you my darling for such an angelic letter. It was so sweet of you … [ Read More ]
Porter, Cole
CONTRACT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE PLAY, “ANYTHING GOES” COLE PORTER. American composer. Document Signed, four pages, legal folio, May 8, 1953. Also signed by Porter’s co-librettists P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The contract concerns the production of the musical play, Anything Goes, “on the spoken stage in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland … [ Read More ]
Rodgers, Richard
RICHARD ROGERS. Composer and librettist of film and Broadway musicals. Mimeograph Document Signed in ink, 52 pages, quarto, May 4, 1940. The agreement between Rodgers and Hart and RKO Radio Pictures for exclusive motion picture rights to the musical comedy Too Many Girls. The agreement contains clauses regarding advertising, musical recording rights and distribution rights. … [ Read More ]
Wilde, Oscar
Irish poet, dramatist and wit. Autograph Letter Signed Oscar Wilde, three pages, octavo, no date [ca. 1878], on his imprinted stationery from Magdalen College, Oxford, to “My dear Sir” [Rev. Matthew Russell]. Referring to “my recent success”. “I am sure you will excuse my not thanking you before for verses which in their depth and … [ Read More ]