Manuscripts

Sarah Siddons letter to Hester Piozzi

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Description: Signed autograph letter from Siddons in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Hester Lynch Salusbury Thrale Piozzi, dated May 15, 1795, with last page dated May 17, 1795. The letter discusses music and theater performances.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1795 May 15-17.
Call number: mssHM 24015
Creator: Siddons, Sarah (1755-1831)(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Purchased from Charles Sessler, August 1925.
Restrictions: Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Sarah Siddons letter to Rev. Mr. Dennison and engravings

Manuscripts

Volume containing an undated two-page letter to Rev. Mr. Dennison of Norwich, England, circa 1788, sent by Siddons' following her return to her Gower Street residence in London. The letter is preceded by eight engraved portraits of Siddons and followed by a typescript transcript of the letter and biographical sketch of Siddons. The portraits consist of "Mrs. Siddons. After the Picture by Sir Joshua Reynolds," engraved by W. Holl; Mrs. Siddons from a drawing by Downman; "Mrs. Siddons as the Tragic Muse," by Joshua Reynolds, engraved by John Bromley, and published by Moon, Boys & Graves, July 2, 1832; "Mrs. Siddons as Euphrasia ... The Grecian Daughter," by DeWilde and Conde, printed for J. Bell, 1792; "Mrs. Siddons as Jane Shore," by Hamilton and Leney, published by J. Bell, 1791; "Mrs. Siddons as Lady MacBeth," engraved by J. Rogers, published by G. Virtue, 1825; and "Mrs. Siddons as Medea" engraved by Thornthwaite.

mssHM 24038

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Sarah Siddons letter to Patty Wilkinson

Manuscripts

One-page fragment of a signed letter in which Siddons communicates that she will be staying with Lady Barrington, who was mourning the death of her son, until she is "wanted in Edinborough." The letter is addressed "To Miss Wilkinson."

mssHM 11385

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Hester Lynch Piozzi Thraliana

Manuscripts

A manuscript diary kept by Hester Lynch Piozzi, from 1776 to 1809; with anecdotes, autobiographical fragments, marginal notes, and some correspondence copied into the volumes. In 1776, her husband, Henry Thrale, gave her the six blank diary books with the title "Thraliana" on the covers. Though called a diary, the work was intended to be like a French "Ana" which was a gathering of anecdotes; the English model was called a "Table-talk" and was meant to gather together anecdotes, quotations, observations, stories, verses, and whatever the author wished to remember. The focus of the first volumes is Samuel Johnson as they contain anecdotes and stories about his life; Piozzi used these as a basis for her "Anecdotes of the Late Samuel Johnson" (1786). After Henry Thrale died in April 1781, the work became more of a diary of her thoughts and life. The volumes are covered in unfinished calf with red labels with the title "Thraliana" on the front cover of each volume. All of the volumes have a ruled left hand margin which contain comments, dates, and other information deemed important by Piozzi.

mssHM 12183

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Sarah Siddons letter to Mr. Rodwell

Manuscripts

Brief one-page signed note from Siddons to Mr. Rodwell, Drury Lane Theatre, nominating Edward White for free admission to the Drury-Lane Theatre for the 1819/20 season.

mssHM 2951

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Sarah Siddons letter to Mr. Brunton

Manuscripts

mssHM 63359

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Charles Fletcher letters to James Gordon Bennett

Manuscripts

HM 4004 is a letter addressed to Mr. Bennett, editor of the New York Herald, imploring that the enclosed letter addressing the Oregon Question be published in the Herald. This letter is signed by Charles Fletcher. HM 4005 is the enclosed letter mentioned in HM 4004, and is signed "An American Citizen," and discusses a potential British claim to the Oregon Territory. Both letters are dated 1846, January 26. These manuscripts may be related to HM 4001-4003.

mssHM 4004-4005

Sarah Siddons letter to Hester Piozzi

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Sarah Siddons letter to Rev. Mr. Dennison and engravings

Sarah Siddons letter to Patty Wilkinson

Hester Lynch Piozzi Thraliana

Sarah Siddons letter to Mr. Rodwell

Sarah Siddons letter to Mr. Brunton

Charles Fletcher letters to James Gordon Bennett