BRITISH PLAYWRIGHT ALFRED SUTRO WRITES ABOUT THE MAURICE MAETERLINCK PLAY, JOYZELLE

ALFRED SUTRO (1863-1933).  Sutro was a well-known British writer, playwright and translator.  His best known play is The Two Virtues.

MAURICE MAETERLINCK (1862-1949).  A Belgian playwright, Maeterlinck was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1911.  His best known work is Pelléas et Mélisande.

TLS. 1pp. 8” x 5”. 23 September 1904. Southampton Row.  A typed letter signed “Alfred Sutro” to “John W. Hastings”: “M. Maeterlinck has handed me your letter, in which you ask for permission to publish a translation of ‘JOYZELLE’.  A translation of this play has already been made by Mr. Teixeira de Mattos, but not yet published, as there is a probability of the play being produced; when the time comes to publish the question as to publisher will be dealt with by Mr. Paul R. Reynolds, of 70 Fifth Avenue, New York, who acts as M. Maeterlinck’s agent in America.”  The letter is in very fine condition overall with a dark autograph.

A SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH OF COMMUNIST YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT JOSIP TITO

JOSIP BROZ TITO (1892-1980). A communist leader, Tito was President of Yugoslavia for more than two-and-a-half decades.

PS. 5” x 7 1/8”. 1977. N.p. A black-and-white photograph signed “Tito” as President of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It is accompanied by a letter from the Yugoslav Embassy in Washington D.C., signed by its press counselor. The photograph is in fine condition, though slightly curved.

IVAN TURGENEV WRITES TO INFLUENTIAL FRENCH POLITICAL FIGURE JULIETTE ADAM, MENTIONING OTHER NOTABLE RUSSIANS

IVAN TURGENEV (1818-1883). Turgenev was a Russian author.

ALS. 1pg. February 25, no year [c. 1882]. 50 Rue de Douai, Paris. An autograph letter signed “Iv. Turgenev”. He wrote in French to writer and influential political figure Juliette Adam (1836-1936), accepting a dinner invitation. In translation, it reads “I will certainly come to dinner at your place on Wednesday, all the while knowing how much it will be difficult for me to replace the great Skoheleff, who takes after Charles XII and not only because of his face.—I will give you at that time 5000 fr. From Vereschaguine, another type of Charles XII; I will tell you how and why.—In the meantime – a thousand friendly salutations. Iv. Turgenev”. Skoheleff was Russian General and military hero Mikhail Skobelev, who had recently been ordered home to Russia. Vereschaguine was Russian painter Vasily Vereshchagin. It is in fine condition with minor faults.

PAUL VERLAINE HANDWRITES A LETTER MENTIONING MANUSCRIPTS

PAUL VERLAINE (1844-1896).  Verlaine was a famous French poet best associated with the symbolist movement.

ALS. 1pg. 1894. No place.  An autograph letter signed “P. Verlaine” in French to Theo.  The poet mentions that he received an envelope with manuscripts and has a lengthy postscript.  The Verlaine letter is framed together with a cover of Oeuvres Poetiques by Verlaine with his portrait.

ERNST VON WILDENBRUCH (1845-1909).  A German author, Von Wildenbruch is best remembered for Spartacus. 

ALS. 1pp. 5 ¼” x 3 ½”. No date. No place.  An autograph letter signed “E.V. Wildenbruch” on a small note card.  He wrote to “Mr. Dahms” in German: “I will be home tomorrow, Monday, in the morning from 10 ½ to 12 o’clock tomorrow for Mr. Can Remen.”  The letter is in very fine condition with the original envelope.

AN ESTATE DOCUMENT SIGNED BY WILLIAM WAKE AS ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

WILLIAM WAKE (1657-1737). Wake was Archbishop of Canterbury.

DS. 1pg. February 5, 1732. A partially-printed estate document signed “W Cant” as Archbishop of Canterbury. (The handwritten portions are not in Wake’s hand.) “Received by me William Lord Arch Bishop of Canterbury, Exec of the last will of Dorothy Folkes deceasd, who was the widow and Executrix of the last will of Martin Folkes late of Grays-inn Esq. Also deceased Of the Honourable Thomas Townshend Esq; One of the Four Tellers of the Receipt of His Majesty’s Exchequer, the Sum of seven pounds sixteen shillings 7 ½ in full of all former Directions of the said Order, and for Six Months Payment, due at Christmas last past of one Hundred Pounds, by Folkes paid into the said Receipt of Exchequer the Day of the Date of the said Order, upon an Act of Parliament, (Entitled, An Act for granting to Their Majesties certain Rates and Duties of Excise upon Beer, Ale, &c. for securing certain Recompences and Advantages in the said Act mentioned, to such Persons as shall voluntarily advance the Sum of Ten hundred thousand Pounds towards carrying on a vigorous War against France) during the Life of Martin Folkes oldest son and nominee of he said first mentioned Martin Folkes Esq. W Cant”. It was also signed by two witnesses. The document is in very good condition with toning throughout.