Editore: All four autographs from One dated from Norwich, 1893
Da: Richard M. Ford Ltd, London, Regno Unito
Manoscritto / Collezionismo cartaceo
Sullivan and Edward Compton have entries in the Oxford DNB, and Compton's wife Viriginia is noticed in the entry for her father Hezekiah Linthicum Bateman. The fourth signatory of this item Lewis Ball appears to have also had theatrical connections. From the collection of nationalist autographs of Miss Burgess of Norwich. From the autograph collection of Miss Burgess of Norwich. 1p, 12mo. On leaf of pink gilt-edged paper torn from autograph album, the lead content of which has resulted in some discolouration: lightly worn and aged, with dink to one corner. Sullivan's autograph stands alone on one side: 'We are sons of Sister Isles / Englishmen and Irishmen, / On our friendship heaven smiles, / Tyrant tricks and tory wiles / Ne'er shall make us foes again. / T. D. Sullivan / July 15th. '93.' Sullivan's signature is striking, with the cross stroke on the initial letter T rising over the signature like the outline of a mountain. The reverse of the leaf carries three signatures. First: 'Very sincerely yours / Virginia Bateman Compton / Jan 5th. 1893' Second: ' "People who never enter a Theatre are always the first to condemn it!" ("Davy Garrick") / Edward Compton / Norwich / Jan 5/93.' Third: 'Lewis Ball / "I leave my Character behind me" / (School for Scandal / Janry. 6th./93'. See Image (T.D. Sullivan).
Editore: Sullivan's document dated by Webb to October, 1887
Da: Richard M. Ford Ltd, London, Regno Unito
Manoscritto / Collezionismo cartaceo
Sullivan, Webb and Mangan all have entries in the Oxford DNB. The present item is referred to in a letter of 18 January 1890 (offered separately), where Webb explains that he is sending it to 'Miss Burgess' (of Norwich), with three other Irish nationalist autographs, describing it as 'unsigned but vouched by me'). 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded four times. Sullivan's text, covering almost the whole of the page and written with the skill of an editor, is an autograph draft, with corrections, of a newspaper appeal for subscriptions, headed 'Memorial to the Poet James Clarence Mangan.' Twenty-four lines. Webb vouches at the foot of the page: '[The Lord Mayor T. D. Sullivan MP October 1887] / Alfred Webb'. On the reverse of the leaf, in Miss Burgess's distinctive hand: 'Written by the Lord Mayor of Dublin J. D. Sullivan Oct/87'. Begins: 'Amongst some of the admirers of the genius of one of the sweetest singers of the Irish Race - the gifted James Clarence Mangan - the idea has been started of honouring his memory by affixing to the front of the house in which he was born a Memorial Tablet with a suitable inscription recording the dates of his birth and death, and bearing, if it be found feasible to produce it, a medallion likeness of the poet.' Among the three emendations is the alteration of the 'natives' of Dublin to 'inhabitants'. See partial image.