Large archive of letters, documents and photographs relating to British socialite and actress Lillie Langtry nicknamed "The Jersey Lily," who rose to fame as a paramour of the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) before launching a stage career that lasted nearly 40 years. This lot includes: 72 Autograph Letters Signed ("Lillie," "Lillie de Bathe" and "Princess"), 190 pp recto and verso, 4to and 8vo (most with conjoining leaves), 1882-1916; with a small collection of related documents and 10 signatures. WITH: a collection of 19th and 20th century photographs of Langtry, including 14 albumen print cabinet cards, 1875-1890s, by Sarony, Falk, and others, and a selection of 8 x 10 gelatin silver prints of Langtry, 1910s, many with notes on the verso indicating that they were once part of Langtry's personal photo library. AND WITH: a large collection of printed ephemera, including publication offprints and advertising broadsides as well as biographical material relating to Langtry. Highlights of the collection include: 1. A collection of correspondence from Lillie Langtry to playwright Graham Hill, 1906-1916, including 34 Autograph Letters Signed, 4to and 8vo, totaling 110 pages, with 4 Documents Signed (1906-07), 3 of which are contracts with Hill, the 4th a license for the London production of a one-act play by Hill. Hill is the author of "Between the Nightfall and the Light," a one-act play that Langtry performed during her 1906-1907 tour of America. During her later American tours, rather than headlining full-length plays as she had earlier in her career, Langtry performed small-cast one-act plays at Vaudeville houses, particularly the Orpheum Circuit, to great acclaim and financial success. Not much is known about Hill. He appears in early 20th century theatrical records as the author of about 6 plays and he is credited for the book for a 1909 musical Havana. This collection of correspondence is warm and encouraging, as Langtry invites Hill to New York to meet impresario David Belasco and waits anxiously to see his new play. From Friday, Dec 7 (prob 1906): "Dear Mr Graham Hill / I sent you a cable today to which I am expecting an answer. In case you do not ... before this reaches you. I am writing in strict confidence to tell you particulars—Belasco the man who makes plays & actors—is anxious to make me a great success—I told him you had a find idea for a play & he wants you to come out at once & work with him & me. It means a fortune for both of us—now put everything aside & come—or someone else will take your place & the chance will be gone—The fees & all will be rightly fixed when you arrive. Belasco is a genius at suggesting & you will do wonders. / Yours truly / Lillie de Bathe." As the correspondence continues, Langtry refers to Hill as "Author" and signs herself as "Princess." 2. Albumen print cabinet card, "Mrs. Langtry in 1875" by Ouless of Jersey, 4 x 6 inches, featuring Langtry dressed in black and seated at a desk, with 1885 presentation inscription of novelist Henry James on the verso. 3. Large group of correspondence to Langtry, 1885-1906, including examples from WILLIAM GILLETTE, HENRY IRVING, STANLEY V. WEYMAN, WILLIAM WINTER, DION BOUCICAULT, CHARLES WYNDHAM, FERGUS HUME, GERALD DU MAURIER, GILBERT PARKER, SYDNEY GRUNDY, CHARLES WARNER, MRS. PATRICK CAMPBELL, and others, including W.C. and CLEMENT LE BRETON, Langtry's father and brother, two undated love letters from "Robert/Bobby," and a cut signature of King Edward VII.
Large archive of letters, documents and photographs relating to British socialite and actress Lillie Langtry nicknamed "The Jersey Lily," who rose to fame as a paramour of the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) before launching a stage career that lasted nearly 40 years. This lot includes: 72 Autograph Letters Signed ("Lillie," "Lillie de Bathe" and "Princess"), 190 pp recto and verso, 4to and 8vo (most with conjoining leaves), 1882-1916; with a small collection of related documents and 10 signatures. WITH: a collection of 19th and 20th century photographs of Langtry, including 14 albumen print cabinet cards, 1875-1890s, by Sarony, Falk, and others, and a selection of 8 x 10 gelatin silver prints of Langtry, 1910s, many with notes on the verso indicating that they were once part of Langtry's personal photo library. AND WITH: a large collection of printed ephemera, including publication offprints and advertising broadsides as well as biographical material relating to Langtry. Highlights of the collection include: 1. A collection of correspondence from Lillie Langtry to playwright Graham Hill, 1906-1916, including 34 Autograph Letters Signed, 4to and 8vo, totaling 110 pages, with 4 Documents Signed (1906-07), 3 of which are contracts with Hill, the 4th a license for the London production of a one-act play by Hill. Hill is the author of "Between the Nightfall and the Light," a one-act play that Langtry performed during her 1906-1907 tour of America. During her later American tours, rather than headlining full-length plays as she had earlier in her career, Langtry performed small-cast one-act plays at Vaudeville houses, particularly the Orpheum Circuit, to great acclaim and financial success. Not much is known about Hill. He appears in early 20th century theatrical records as the author of about 6 plays and he is credited for the book for a 1909 musical Havana. This collection of correspondence is warm and encouraging, as Langtry invites Hill to New York to meet impresario David Belasco and waits anxiously to see his new play. From Friday, Dec 7 (prob 1906): "Dear Mr Graham Hill / I sent you a cable today to which I am expecting an answer. In case you do not ... before this reaches you. I am writing in strict confidence to tell you particulars—Belasco the man who makes plays & actors—is anxious to make me a great success—I told him you had a find idea for a play & he wants you to come out at once & work with him & me. It means a fortune for both of us—now put everything aside & come—or someone else will take your place & the chance will be gone—The fees & all will be rightly fixed when you arrive. Belasco is a genius at suggesting & you will do wonders. / Yours truly / Lillie de Bathe." As the correspondence continues, Langtry refers to Hill as "Author" and signs herself as "Princess." 2. Albumen print cabinet card, "Mrs. Langtry in 1875" by Ouless of Jersey, 4 x 6 inches, featuring Langtry dressed in black and seated at a desk, with 1885 presentation inscription of novelist Henry James on the verso. 3. Large group of correspondence to Langtry, 1885-1906, including examples from WILLIAM GILLETTE, HENRY IRVING, STANLEY V. WEYMAN, WILLIAM WINTER, DION BOUCICAULT, CHARLES WYNDHAM, FERGUS HUME, GERALD DU MAURIER, GILBERT PARKER, SYDNEY GRUNDY, CHARLES WARNER, MRS. PATRICK CAMPBELL, and others, including W.C. and CLEMENT LE BRETON, Langtry's father and brother, two undated love letters from "Robert/Bobby," and a cut signature of King Edward VII.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
