Details
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW (1856-1950)
i) Autograph letter, signed 'G. Bernard Shaw', from Blen-Cathra, Hindhead, Surrey, 27 February 1899, 1½pp, 4°, to Max Hecht, as the principal investor in the new 'Lyceum Limited...which I understand to be a benevolent society for the relief of distressed authors and actors', looking for backing for his new 'recklessly expensive play' Caesar and Cleopatra, with Forbes Robertson and Mrs Patrick Campbell in the title roles 'more like the heir and heiress apparent to Irving and Ellen Terry than any other pair'. He recommends that the theatre puts on 'another spectacular historical play of the best literary class' rather than 'drop into pantomime and casual English opera'. He apologises for not seeing him in person 'I have been a cripple on crutches' (creased on folds, some thumb soiling).
ii) Autograph letter card, signed 'G. Bernard Shaw', from 29 Fitzroy Square, 27 June 1896, 2pp, 12°, to Mr Hecht, regarding the reading of his play You Never Can Tell, he still has to work out 'all the stage business' and doubts copies will be ready for the winter season. He speaks of his forthcoming trip to Bayreuth for the performances of Wagner's Ring.
iii) Autograph letter card, signed 'G. Bernard Shaw', from 29 Fitzroy Square, 29 June 1896, 2pp, 12°, to Mr Hecht, arranging a meeting to read the play with Cyril Maude and mentioning Arms and the Man, 'The reputation of it is much better than the reality', concluding by thanking him for the introduction to Felix Mottl although 'I have a constitutional incapacity for foreign languages, and if my conversation is limited to my French and German he will find me rather a silent companion' (slight spotting).
iv) One-page gilt-edged autograph card, signed 'G. Bernard Shaw', from 29 Fitzroy Square, 6 July 1896, 12°, to Max Hecht, commenting on initial readings of the play 'So far, the impression seems to be satisfactory' and declining an invitation.
v) Autograph postcard, signed 'G. Bernard Shaw', from 29 Fitzroy Square, 14 July 1896, 12°, to Max Hecht, describing a recent bicycle accident in Pall Mall which unavoidably prevented him from completing the stage directions, 'a horse shied and brought a railway van straight into me. My machine was wrecked...I managed to roll over and escape the wheels of the van...I got a pretty severe shock'.
vi) Autograph letter, signed 'G. Bernard Shaw', from Stratford St. Andrew Rectory, Saxmundham, 22 August 1896, 2pp with integral blank leaf, 8°, to Mr Hecht, has finished the play and discusses rights. He regrets that Felix Mottl was too beseiged by 'importunate admirers and friends' to meet, 'I thought it best to spare him' (creased on folds).
vii) Autograph letter, signed 'G. Bernard Shaw', from Stratford St. Andrew Rectory, Saxmundham, 28 August 1896, 4pp, 8°, to Mr Hecht, a long letter discussing rights and the self-interest of actor-managers who will 'refuse all offers and disregard all interests sooner than allow a good part or a good play to get into the hands of a professional rival...hardly [one] in London who is not sitting tightly on some play which he will neither produce himself nor let anyone else produce', emphasising the right of the author to lay down certain conditions as to the production.
viii) Autograph postcard, signed 'G. Bernard Shaw', from 29 Fitzroy Square, 27 March 1897, 12°, to Max Hecht, making arrangements to visit him and Felix Mottl who must 'spend the morning in learning English, as I only know "German for Travellers", and very little of that' (slightly smudged).
ix) Autograph letter, signed 'G. Bernard Shaw', from 10 Adelphi Terrace, 14 May 1920, to Mr Hecht, declining an invitation as he is working on 'a big piece of dramatic work which I shall certainly die before finishing' and mentioning 'bad luck on that Kissinger trip...much rather have gone to Bayreuth instead. Shall we ever go there again?' (creased on folds).
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