Beschreibung:

SHERIDAN, RICHARD BRINSLEY. Forty-two autograph letters signed (nearly all with initials, a few "R.B. Sheridan") and four autograph notes signed (two with initials) to Richard Peake, mostly at Charlotte Street, Rathbone Place, London, written from London (mainly), Southampton, Bognor, and elsewhere, 5 December 1777 - 23 November 1807, and n.d. (but primarily late 1790s on). Together 46 pages, 18mo-4to (but principally 8vo & 4to), most with integral address leaf (some seal tears), a number with Sheridan's signature on address panel (a few are franking signatures), nearly all docketed by Peake . With: (1) An autograph letter signed ("R.B. Sheridan") to his wine merchants (Bell), [London] 17 March 1801, one page, oblong 8vo, ordering "Claret, Port & Sherry two dozen of each"; (2) Autograph letter signed from Michael Kelly (singer, composer, and for a while musical director at the Drury Lane Theatre) to Richard Peake, [London] n.d., one page, 12mo, integral address leaf, pleading for money. "BY GOD IF YOU DO NOT SEND SOME MONEY I AM UNDONE" An extensive series almost entirely concerned with money matters. Towards the latter part of his life Sheridan was usually in excrutiating financial difficulties (he was arrested for debt in 1813) and many of the letters are simply desperate pleas for funds. Richard Peake was for some forty years in the treasury office of the Drury Lane Theatre, in which Sheridan was a part owner. (Incidently Peake's son, Richard Brinsley Peake, was a successful playwright of his day.) [no date]: "Pray let me see you without fail tomorrow at 12. & for the Love of Heaven bring #20 with you." "Tuesday, n.d.": "Give my #31.10 to J. Edwards before you [sleep?] for God's sake. I return with Mrs. S[heridan] Tuesday & then will make like a Horse to the Theatre..." [no date]: " Private . Words cannot tell you the situation at this House, there is not even a candle in it -- or a little tea for Mrs. S[heridan]. I trust there will be no difficulty about the acceptance as I give up everything for it, but if I am not assisted with #20 to Night Mrs. S[heridan] will be distracted. I can get the acceptance discounted tomorrow. I most anxiously await your answer..." 17 September 1777: "Please to pay, tho' it is damn'd foolish, that Plunderer Mr. Joe Richardson twenty Pounds on my account you you [ sic ] were a Booby for telling him you are likely to leave." 22 September 1799: "I am exceedingly disappointed at not hearing from you to Day -- surely Hammerly cannot have refused to advance -- if He has you must pay him the #600 & we must sell the Receipts. I have not a shilling at this Place [Bognor] & the Bills all unpaid. I have been obliged to give Mrs. Sheridan a Draught on Hammerly for #30 . Do not fail on any account to take #30 from the Nights [Drury Lane Theatre receipts] that it may be paid tomorrow when it will certainly be presented. To prevent mistakes I enclose a Draught in the Proprietors Name for #90 tho' I hope to hear tomorrow to hear [ sic ] that what I desired in my last [letter] has been done, & then the enclosed need not be used..." "Tuesday morning," n.d.: "It is too early for my Papers to be in so I don't know whether the Petition is in others or not -- if not money or credit must be had it is of vital consequence. Tell [Lowds?] immediately to let me have a proof of the Petition done in a handsome way. If you do not call in the evening pray don't fail to meet me at Peter Morris at half past three -- we had better eat our chop together again to Day -- there is much to be done..." (Milne) (48)