Gilbert, Billy (1894-1971). American comedian, actor and film director.

Original "Playbill" for the New Century Theatre 1947 Production of "the Chocolate Soldier", Signed by the Comedian & Actor Billy Gilbert.

New York: Playbill Incorporated, (1947). (1947). - Small quarto, 9 inches high by 6-5/8 inches wide. Stapled white wraps illustrated with a portrait of Billy Gilbert on the front cover. The soiled covers are slightly creased with a small hole to the rear cover near the spine. 32 pages, with illustrations throughout. Good. Boldly signed by the comic actor Billy Gilbert vertically along the right edge of his cover portrait. The child of singers with the Metropolitan Opera, Billy Gilbert (1894-1971) began working in Vaudeville at the age of 12. Following his early childhood success, Gilbert starred as a comedian and actor in over 200 feature films, short subjects and television shows. Known for his comic sneeze routines, Gilbert was also a writer and film director. Composed by Oscar Straus after George Bernard Shaw's play "Arms and the Man", "The Chocolate Soldier" is an operetta with a libretto by Rudolf Bernauer and Leopold Jacobson. It premiered in 1908 at the Theater an der Wein. English versions found success on Broadway and London. Good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 97070

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; THEATRE; MUSIC; OPERETTA; COMEDIAN; BILLY GILBERT; THE PLAYBILL; THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER; OSCAR STRAUS; ARMS AND THE MAN; ACTOR; SIGNATURE; SIGNED; AUTOGRAPH; PROGRAM; TWENTIETH CENTURY; 20TH CENTURY; ILLUSTRATED; ILLUSTRATIONS.

Houseman, John. (1902-1988). British-American actor and director. Founding director of the Drama Division at The Juilliard School.

Typed Letter to City Center Producer Jean Dalrymple Signed by Actor and Producer John Houseman.

New York: November 22, 1986. 1986. - A few words typed on a 8-3/4 inch high by 7-3/8 inch wide sheet of his personalized letterhead with his bold signature printed in black at the top. Signed "John". Folded twice for mailing. Fine. Houseman acknowledges Jean Dalrymple's note to him about Dennis Hedlund and writes that he will await his call. John Houseman [1902-1988] was a British American actor and producer who became known for his highly publicized collaboration with Orson Welles from their days in the Federal Theatre Project through the production of "Citizen Kane". As the producer of "The Blue Dahlia" he also collaborated with Raymond Chandler who wrote the screenplay for that film. As an actor, he is probably best known for his role in "The Paper Chase" for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Houseman became the founding director of the Drama Division at The Juilliard School, and held this position from 1968 until 1976. Unwilling to see Juillard's very first class disbanded upon graduation, Houseman and his Juilliard colleague Margot Harley formed them into an independent, touring repertory company they named the "Group 1 Acting Company" [later renamed The Acting Company]. Jean Dalrymple (1902-1998) was the dynamic producer and director of theater and light-opera at Manhattan's City Center. Dalrymple began her career in Vaudeville, appearing with James Cagney and Cary Grant in the early 1930s. She was a founding member of the American Theatre Wing, the theatre service organization. She worked over the years as a personal manager for the likes of Leopold Stokowski, Mary Martin, Jose Iturbi, Andre Kostalanetz, Nathan Milstein and Lily Pons. She began her work at City Center with its founding in 1943, serving as a board member, producer, and publicist. Her productions there from the 1940s through the 1960s were a revitalizing influence on the whole New York theatre scene. In 1951, Jean Dalrymple married Major-General Philip deWitt Ginder, commander of the Thunderbirds in Korea. She was a friend to Presidents and entertainment personalities throughout the world. Fine .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 37137

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; THEATER; FILM; ACTOR-PRODUCER; TYPED LETTER TO CITY CENTER PRODUCER JEAN DALRYMPLE SIGNED BY ACTOR AND PRODUCER JOHN HOUSEMAN; SIGNATURE; AUTOGRAPH; JUILLARD SCHOOL; THE ACTING COMPANY; ORSON WELLES; CITY CENTER PRODUCER; JEAN DALRYMPLE;.

Rankin [Blanchard], Elizabeth [Kate] "Kitty" (1847-1911). Popular American stage actress and wife of the actor McKee Rankin.

Autograph Letter Signed by the Popular 19th Century American Stage Actress Kitty Blanchard Rankin.

New York, April 23rd, 1887. 1887. - Over 50 words penned on two 7 inch high by 4-1/2 inch wide attached leaves. The actress Kitty Blanchard writes to "Miss Thompson", sending her autograph "Preparatory leaving for Phila tearing up letters etc thought I had better send my autograph as you had requested it.." She goes on to say that her husband, the actor McKee Rankin is "very busy" but will "possibly send his later." Signed "Kate Rankin ('Mrs. McKee Rankin')". There is a tiny tear to the bottom of the fold and paper remnants with glue stains to the corners of the blank verso of the second page. Very good. The popular American stage actress from Pennsylvania Elizabeth "Kitty" Blanchard (1847-1911) was also known as "Katherine Blanchard" as evidenced from the coroner's report published in the December 15, 1911 Washington Evening Star. Popular throughout the 1870's and 80's she costarred with Kate Claxton in "The Two Orphans" and was a member of the cast in the New York production of George Bermard Shaw's "Arms and the Man". Married to the actor McKee Rankin, their children went on to marry into other stage families including the Barrymores, Drews and Davenports. Very good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 96578

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; STAGE ACTRESS; AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED; SIGNATURE; ELIZABETH KITTY BLANCHARD; KATE RANKIN; KATHERINE RANKIN; MRS. MCKEE RANKIN; NINETEENTH CENTURY; 19TH CENTURY; THEATER.

Mansfield, Beatrice Cameron (1868-1940). American stage actress and leading lady in Richard Mansfield's company and later his wife.

A 3-Page Autograph Letter Signed by the American Stage Actress Beatrice Cameron Mansfield, Offering to Perform a Speech from Shakespeare's Plays.

New London, Connecticut, April 19th, 1933. 1933. - Over 115 words penned in purple ink on three sides of a folded sheet, each measuring 7-5/8 inches high by 5-3/4 inches wide, with the New London, Connecticut address of Mrs. C.A. Sackett crossed out at the top of the cover sheet. The letter is silked and the sheets were likely separated in order to do so and, once silked, reattached to again form a single folded sheet. Beatrice Cameron apologizes for not answering Mr. Maxwell sooner. She is returning to New York from New London and is "much interested in the programme outlined in your letter - and should like to take a part in it - If no one else is to 'do,' a speech from 'Portia' or 'Lady Anne' in Richard III, either of those might be possible." She would be willing to accept "whatever you pay to other artists whose name stands in the rank that the name I bear holds.." Signed "Beatrice Mansfield". Silking was a preservation and restoration process popular in the late 19th and early 20th century and can be reversed. Near fine. The American stage actress Beatrice Cameron (1868-1940) was a spectator at a rehearsal of "The Midnight Marriage" at the Madison Square Theatre on Broadway when a member of the cast fell ill. Volunteering to take over the part, she learned the lines and dance steps overnight and made her theatrical debut. She performed with Robert B. Mantell's company before joining that of Richard Mansfield in 1886. Starting with a role in the comedy "Prince Carl", she then played Angnes Carew in the Broadway and London productions of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". She appeared in "Lesbia" and "Richard III" in London. Cameron was the first actress to play the role of "Nora" in Ibsen's controversial play "A Doll's House" when it opened at the Palmer Theatre on Broadway in 1889. Beatrice Cameron married Richard Mansfield in 1892 and later retired in 1898. She came back for a post retirement final performance as Raina in Shaw's "Arms and the Man" in 1900. Very good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 97592

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; STAGE; AMERICAN ACTRESS; BEATRICE CAMERON MANSFIELD; NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT; AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED; SIGNATURE; SHAKESPEARE; NORA; A DOLL'S HOUSE; MR. MAXWELL; TWENTIETH CENTURY; 20TH CENTURY.

Davenport. Fanny. (1850-1898). Anglo-American stage actress.

Signature of Anglo-American Stage Actress Fanny Davenport.

1886. 1886. - A slip of cream paper approximately 3 inches high by 4-1/2 inches wide is boldly signed in black ink "Fanny Davenport / 1886". The paper is mounted on a piece of card of the same size. Remnants of paper adhere to the verso of the mount & a small area of its surface is rubbed away where it has been removed from an album. The paper is slightly rippled from the mounting & there is some very light glue staining to its top right corner. Very good.

Fanny Davenport [1850-1898] was an Anglo-American actress, born in London and brought to the United States in 1854. She made her debut in 1862 at the age of 12, appearing as the King of Spain in "Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady" at Niblo's Garden in New York City. In 1869 she joined Augustin Daly's company and later, with a company of her own, appeared with great success in Sardou's "Fedora" [1883]. She took over emotional Sardou roles that had been originated in Europe by Sarah Bernhardt. Her last appearance was at the Grand Opera House in Chicago in March 1898, not long before her death. Very good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 36024

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; THEATER; SIGNATURE OF ANGLO-AMERICAN STAGE ACTRESS FANNY DAVENPORT; SIGNED CARD; AUTOGRAPH; NINETEENTH CENTURY; 19TH CENTURY.

Draper, Ruth (1884-1956). Actress and dramatic monologist.

Typed Document Signed by the Actress and Dramatic Monologist Ruth Draper, Renewing Her Contract with James B. Pond of the Pond Bureau.

New York: May Fourth, 1926. 1926. - Over 200 words typed on 11 inch high by 8-1/2 inch wide light gray "James B. Pond / The Pond Bureau" stationery. The document is a contract letter between Ruth Draper and the lecture manager James B. Pond in which Pond writes that "in accordance with your instructions I am booking you for the coming season of 1926-27.." He also outlines terms should she need a "manager to accompany" her "or to do special road work". The contract is signed by both James B. Pond and Ruth Draper. Folded for mailing with a tiny tear to the right edge of the top fold and minor soiling along the right edge. Very good. The American actress and dramatic monologuist Ruth Draper (1884-1956) specialized in character-driven monologues and solo dramas. "The Italian Lesson", "A Church in Italy", "Three Women and Mr. Clifford", and "Doctors and Diets" are among her best known works. Inspired by a close family friend, the Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski who later became Prime Minister of Poland, Ruth Draper chose to become an actress and dominated the field of solo performances. Unlike other solo performers of the time, Draper's monologues and monodramas portrayed original characters instead of those taken from literature. She was admired by such personalities as George Bernard Shaw, Thornton Wilder, Katharine Hepburn, Laurence Olivier, Henry James, Edith Wharton, and Agatha Christie, among others. She even inspired 2 of Agatha Christie's characters. Very good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 97397

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; THEATER; SOLO PERFORMER; RUTH DRAPER; MONOLOGUES; DRAMATIST; MONOLOGUIST; CONTRACT; LETTER; TYPED DOCUMENT SIGNED; SIGNATURE; AUTOGRAPH; JAMES B. POND; THE POND BUREAU; STAGE; TWENTIETH CENTURY; 20TH CENTURY.

Adams, Joey

Cindy and I: The Real Life Adventures of Mr. And Mrs. Joey Adams

New York: Crown Publishers, Inc. (1957). (1957). New York: Crown Publishers, Inc. (1957). (1957). Good. SIGNED BY JOEY ADAMS - Octavo, 8-1/2 inches high by 5-3/4 inches wide. Hardcover, bound in burgundy boards backed with a tan cloth spine, titled in red, black & white on the spine. The corners of the covers are bumped and slightly worn and the spine is stained. 320 pages, with several pages of photographic illustrations. The rear hinge is cracked and there are some small stains to the fore-edge of the book. Good.

First edition.

Signed by Joey Adams at the bottom of the front endpaper. Good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 33031

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; COMEDY; COMEDIAN; STAND UP COMIC; PERFORMER; COLUMNIST; JOEY ADAMS; SIGNED; AUTOGRAPH; SIGNATURE; CINDY AND I; THE REAL LIFE ADVENTURES OF MR. AND MRS. JOEY ADAMS; BIOGRAPHY; BIOGRAPHICAL; CINDY ADAMS; ILLUSTRATED; ILLUSTRATIONS; FIRST EDITION; 2

(O'Casey, Sean; Beckett, Samuel; Yeats, W. B.; McDonagh, Martin; et al). Albee, Edward; Barry, Sebastian; Friel, Brian; Milberg, Leonard L.; McGuiness, Frank; et al

Princeton University Library Chronicle. Volume LXVIII, Numbers 1 and 2. Autumn 2006-Winter 2007

(Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Library, 2006). 2006). (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Library, 2006). 2006). Very good. - Thick octavo, softcover bound in pictorial cream wrappers. The binding is very lightly bumped with light creasing to the front wrap at the tail of the spine & some very minor soiling to the rear wrap. 731 pages plus 4- page publisher's catalog. Black-and-white illustrations, including facsimiles. Very good.

This double issue is devoted to Irish theatre and was inspired by the collection of plays, manuscripts and theatrical ephemera brought to the Princeton Library's Department of Rare Books and Special Collections by Leonard L. Milberg. Very good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 32185

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; IRISH THEATRE; THEATER; IRISH THEATER; STAGE; PLAYWRIGHTS; PRINCETON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY CHRONICLE; LEONARD L. MILBERG COLLECTION; PLAYS; MANUSCRIPTS; THEATRICAL EPHEMERA; SEAN O'CASEY; WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS; LADY GREGORY; ABBEY THEATRE; SAMUEL

Anderson, Maxwell

Barefoot in Athens. (a Play About Socrates)

New York: William Sloane Associates, Inc. Publishers, (1951),, (1951). New York: William Sloane Associates, Inc. Publishers, (1951). (1951). Good. - Octavo, cloth, in a price-clipped dust wrapper. The spine & extremities are slightly faded. The dust jacket is rubbed, soiled & lightly chipped with some small stains. The edges of the rear panel are darkened. xvi, [1] leaf & 101 pages. Good.

Later printing. Good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 9663

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; THEATER; STAGE; PLAY; PLAYWRIGHT; AMERICAN; MAXWELL ANDERSON; BAREFOOT IN ATHENS; SOCRATES.

Anderson, Maxwell

Candle in the Wind: A Play in Three Acts

Washington, DC: Anderson House, 1941. 1941. Washington, DC: Anderson House, 1941. 1941. Very good. - Octavo, cloth, in a dust wrapper. The dust jacket is rubbed with its top edge lightly chipped. The rear panel is soiled. xvi, [i] & 116 pages. Very good.

First edition. Very good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 30330

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATER; THEATRE; STAGE; PLAY; PLAYWRIGHT; AMERICAN; CANDLE IN THE WIND; FIRST EDITION; 1ST EDITION.

(Anderson, Robert).

The Playwrights' Company Presents Deborah Kerr in Elia Kazan's Production of Tea and Sympathy. [the Playbill for the Ethel Barrymore Theatre Being the Original Program for the Week of January 25, 1954 with the Original Cast].

New York: Playbill Incorporated, 1953. 1953. - Octavo, 9 inches high by 6-3/4 inches wide. Softcover, bound in stapled white wraps titled and illustrated in black on the front cover. The covers are soiled with a small tear to the bottom edge of the front cover. 36 pages, with black & white illustrations throughout, and the 5 page program listing the cast and synopsis of the acts. The edges of the pages are faintly darkened. Very good. The original program for the week beginning on January 25th, 1954. "Tea and Sympathy" is a three act play by Robert Anderson about a private school student, Tom Lee, who is suspected of homosexuality and bullied by others including hyper-masculine Bill Reynolds. Bill, a married man, ignores his wife Laura preferring to hang out with the boys. Bill's wife Laura, opposing the shaming to which Tom is subjected, pursues him romantically to prove his masculinity. The program includes the original cast consisting of Deborah Kerr, Florida Friebus, John Kerr, Richard Midgley, Alan Sues, Dick York, Arthur Steuer, Leif Erickson, Richard Franchot, John McGovern and Yale Wexler. Very good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 97351

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; PLAYBILL; THEATER PRODUCTION; ROBERT ANDERSON; TEA AND SYMPATHY; ORIGINAL PROGRAM; DEBORAH KERR; ELIA KAZAN; THE PLAYWRIGHT'S COMPANY; ETHEL BARRYMORE THEATRE; TWENTIETH CENTURY; 20TH CENTURY; ORIGINAL CAST; SYNOPSIS; GAY INTEREST.

Anderson, Mary. (1859-1940). American stage actress, billed as Mary Navarro during her silent film career.

Signature on a Piece of Card of American Stage Actress Mary Anderson.

1883. 1883. - An unevenly cut piece of gray card, approximately 4 inches high by 6-3/8 inches wide, is boldly signed in black ink: "Mary Anderson / 1883".the card is unevenly darkened with a crease to the bottom edge. A strip of paper adheres to the verso where the card has been removed from an album with 2 pieces of reinforcing tape on the verso's bottom edge. Good. American stage actress Mary Anderson [1859-1940] made her debut in the role of Shakespeare's Juliet at Macauley's Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky, her family's home town. Further appearances at St. Louis, New Orleans and John McCullough's theatre in San Francisco led to a contract with John T. Ford. After starring as Lady Macbeth in his Washngton theatre in 1877, she began an extensive U.S. tour, culminating with a New York engagement in Edward Bulwer Lytton's "The Lady of Lyons". She immediately became popular with the public as "Our Mary" and thereafter enjoyed a twelve-year career of unbroken success in New York and on tour. After collapsing on stage from nervous exhaustion in 1889, she retired to England, married Antonio Fernando de Navarro and started a family. She resisted encouragement to return to the stage apart from some benefit performances during World War I. Between 1912 and 1918, she appeared in a number of silent films under the name Mary Navarro. Good .

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Book number: 36321

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; THEATER; AMERICAN THEATRE; ACTRESSES; SIGNATURE ON A PIECE OF CARD OF AMERICAN STAGE ACTRESS MARY ANDERSON; AUTOGRAPH; SIGNED CARD; FILM ACTRESS; SILENT FILM; MOVIES; NINETEENTH CENTURY; 19TH CENTURY.

Anouilh, Jean.

Fables.

Lausanne [Switzerland]: La Guilde du Livre, [1962]. [1962]. INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY JEAN ANOUILH - Octavo, pictorial maroon cloth titled in gilt with an image of 2 birds stamped in blind on the front cover. The bottom corner of the front cover is slightly creased & there is a small stain to the rear cover. 145 & [3] pages plus colophon. There is creasing to the bottom corners of pages 65-100 with increasingly light creasing to some additional pages. Good.

Hors commerce edition of this book of verse fables printed for members of La Guilde du Livre, a reprint of the 1962 edition published by La Table Ronde.

Inscribed in French and signed in full by the playwright on the half-title: "Pour Honoria avec l'affection d'un homme comble de boite de the et de dessins de maitre / Jean Anouilh / Noel 66". Perhaps the box of tea and the drawings of a master were a Christmas gift from Honoria to the playwright.

Jean Anouilh [1910-1987] was a French playwright whose career spanned five decades. Though his work ranged from high drama to absurdist farce, he is best known for his 1943 adaptation of Sophocles' "Antigone". The play was seen as an attack on Marshal Petain's Vichy government. Anouilh was one of France's most prolific writers in the postwar period. Much of his work addresses themes of maintaining integrity in a world of moral compromise.

Costume designer Honoria Plesch [1919-1990] was born in Berlin. In 1933, together with her brother Peter and her family, she left Germany and emigrated to England. Her most important professional assignment was as costume designer for the 1947 film "Brighton Rock" starring Richard Attenborough. Plesch was apparently Anouilh's neighbor for a time in Switzerland.

The text is in French. Good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 35985

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; THEATER; FRENCH THEATRE; FRENCH PLAYWRIGHT; FRENCH DRAMATIST; JEAN ANOUILH; INSCRIBED; SIGNED; SIGNATURE; AUTOGRAPH; LITERATURE; FABLES; VERSE; COSTUME DESIGNER; HONORIA PLESCH; HORS COMMERCE EDITION FOR MEMBERS OF LA GUILDE DU LIVRE.

Anouilh, Jean.

La Grotte.

Paris: La Table Ronde, 1961. 1961. INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY JEAN ANOUILH - Octavo, softcover bound in printed cream wrappers. The binding is lightly soiled & creased with some small stains & with the bottom edge of the rear cover chipped. The spine is darkened. 177 pages plus colophon. The page edges are slightly darkened. The top corners & edges of pages 10-16 are chipped where they have been roughly opened. Good.

First trade edition, with the date "12-61" on the rear cover.

Inscribed in French and signed in full by the playwright on the half-title: "Pour Honoria qui fournit a l'homme de la grotte, son voisin - des poissons pour la nourriture et des pots d'usage mysterieux pour sa meditation..amicalement / Jean Anouilh / Fev 62".

Jean Anouilh [1910-1987] was a French playwright whose career spanned five decades. Though his work ranged from high drama to absurdist farce, he is best known for his 1943 adaptation of Sophocles' "Antigone". The play was seen as an attack on Marshal Petain's Vichy government. Anouilh was one of France's most prolific writers in the postwar period. Much of his work addresses themes of maintaining integrity in a world of moral compromise.

Costume designer Honoria Plesch [1919-1990] was born in Berlin. In 1933, together with her brother Peter and her family, she left Germany and emigrated to England. Her most important professional assignment was as costume designer for the 1947 film "Brighton Rock" starring Richard Attenborough. Plesch was apparently Anouilh's neighbor for a time in Switzerland.

The text is in French. Good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 35986

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; THEATER; FRENCH THEATRE; FRENCH PLAYWRIGHT; FRENCH DRAMATIST; JEAN ANOUILH; INSCRIBED; SIGNED; SIGNATURE; AUTOGRAPH; PLAY; LA GROTTE; COSTUME DESIGNER; HONORIA PLESCH; FIRST TRADE EDITION; 1ST TRADE EDITION.

Anouilh, Jean

The Lark. Translated by Christopher Fry

New York: Oxford Univesity Press, 1956. 1956. New York: Oxford Univesity Press, 1956. 1956. Very good. - Octavo, cloth, in a price-clipped dust wrapper. The spine & extremities are faded. The dust jacket is lightly soiled with the edges darkened. [vii] & 103 pages. Very good.

First American edition. Very good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.Professional seller

Book number: 9662

Catalogue: Theatre

Keywords: THEATRE; THEATER; STAGE; PLAY; PLAYWRIGHT; FRENCH; JEAN ANOUILH; THE LARK; JOAN OF ARC; TRANSLATION; TRANSLATOR; BRITISH; CHRISTOPHER FRY; FIRST AMERICAN EDITION; 1ST AMERICAN EDITION.