An original Post Office Telegraph sent from Picadilly Church Place (Post Office) to Amy Elliott, Empire [Theatre] Leicester Square. 3rd January 1914.

 

"Good luck Micky precious. You and the other stenographers are going to make a hit of the show. Winky". With old pencil note to verso 'Telegraph from PGW (Winky) to Micky'.

 

22 x 14 cms (8.75 x 5.5 inches). Loss to top left corner, some creasing and fraying to edges. Very good.

 

The show referred to is almost certainly 'Nuts and Wine', a musical review written by P.G. Wodehouse and C.H. Bovill with music by Frank Tours.  It opened at the Empire, Leicester Square on 3rd January 1914 (the date of this telegram). It was, indeed, a success, running for 12 weeks. It closed not because it was not well received but because the ownership of the theatre changed hands. This was one of Wodehouse's earliest ventures into theatre and an early item from his career.  The "stenographers" probably appeared in the second scene, set in an American newspaper office.