Title: Typed Letter Signed by the Pioneering Literary and Theatrical Agent and Producer Elisabeth Marbury.
Description: New York, April 18th, 1924. 1924. - Over 70 words typed on her personal 8-1/2 inch high by 5-1/2 inch wide stationery with her name and address printed at the top and phone number at the bottom with the whole of it set within a thin blue ruled frame. Responding to American lecture manager James B. Pond's letter, Elisabeth Marbury replies that she is "much flattered" by his offer to host a lecture tour but "I do not believe that I am young enough to start out on a real lecture tour". She goes on to suggest that "If some times you could book me in this City or in the neighborhood next year, I may be able to fill the dates." Signed "Elisabeth Marbury". Folded for mailing with minor soiling to the bottom and a penciled check mark at top left. Near fine.
An early promoter of African American writers of the Harlem Renaissance, the pioneering American literary and theatrical agent and producer Elisabeth "Bessie" Marbury (1856-1933) was the child of one of New York's oldest and most prominent "society" families. Marbury never married, living openly in what is accepted as a lesbian relationship with her companion Elsie De Wolfe for over 20 years. Marbury was a friend of the Canadian-born American businesswoman Elizabeth Arden who unsuccessfully sought to fulfill Marbury's desire to turn her home into one for working women after her death. Marbury's clients included such figures as Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw as well as the dance team of Vernon and Irene Castle, among others. She defined what audiences now recognize as "Broadway" by promoting and developing book derived musicals, producing such works as Cole Porter's "See America First" and Jerome Kern's "Nobody Home" through her American Play Company. Fine .
Keywords: THEATRE; LITERATURE; THEATER; BROADWAY; MUSICALS; ELISABETH BESSIE MARBURY; TYPED LETTER SIGNED; AUTOGRAPH; SIGNATURE; PIONEER; AMERICAN LITERARY AND THEATRICAL AGENT; PRODUCER; AMERICAN PLAY COMPANY; GAY STUDIES; HOMOSEXUAL; LESBIAN; RELATIONSHIP WITH EL
- Book number: 96607
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