Product Type
Condition
Binding
Collectible Attributes
Free Shipping
Seller Location
Seller Rating
Published by 3 Serjeant's Inn London. 9 January, 1841
Manuscript / Paper Collectible
1p, 16mo. On 14 x 11 cm piece of paper, with margins apparently cut down. Aged, and with slight damage to two words of text caused by removal from mount.At the time of writing Faucit's successful career had been interrupted by the recurrence of a lung condition, necessitating recuperation at a seaside resort. She has evidently asked Talfourd to contribute to an autograph album, soliciting the following response: 'Mr. Serjeant Talfourd presents his best compliments to Miss Helen Faucit and has endeavoured to comply with her flattering wish by adding to her collection of admiring tributes some poor verses which express sincere wishes; - and only regrets that her present state of health should impart more earnestness to these wishes than consists with entire pleasure in expressing them. He trusts, however, that he shall very soon have the satisfaction of knowing that in her perfect restoration to health his wishes and those of all who know her are fulfilled.'.
Published by 21 October ; Reading Berkshire, 1835
Manuscript / Paper Collectible
It is hard to overestimate the impact of 'Ion' on Victorian audiences in Britain and America. According to Talfourd's entry in the Oxford DNB, the play was 'first performed at Covent Garden Theatre, London, on his birthday, 26 May 1836. He had circulated the play privately to influential individuals, including Wordsworth, Robert Southey, and Gladstone, which ensured that the theatre was packed with the most distinguished audience contemporary reviewers could remember, including Dickens, Robert Browning, Walter Savage Landor, Pitt, Melbourne, Lord Chief Justice Denman, Lord Grey, and Lady Blessington. Ion caused a sensation and remained popular for many years. [.] The political impact of Ion was increased by the known republican sympathies of the actor in the leading role, William Charles Macready. [.] Ion was seen as a stage play of lasting stature. It was performed continuously for over a year and consistently revived in London until at least 1861. It was even more popular in the United States, where the transvestite actress Ellen Tree performed in it repeatedly. ' 1p, 12mo. Aged and spotted with a small lengthened hole causing loss to three words of text. Folded twice. Reads: 'Mr. Sergt. Talfourd presents his compliments to Mrs. Walter and takes the liberty of sending her a copy of a little dramatic [p]oem which is not published but pr[in]ted for private circulation among tho[s]e whose kindness may induce them to look indulgently on its slender claims to their attention. / Reading / 21 October 1835'. See image.