Description
SIR HENRY IRVING Autograph Letter Signed.
British actor. The first actor to be knighted.
ALS. 2pp. 17 Stratton Street, Piccadilly, W. 25th June 1900. To Mr [Henry Albert] Butt (father of the contralto singer, Clara Butt)
"I am sincerely sorry that I cannot leave town to be present at your daughter's wedding, but never the less wish her the utmost happiness that she can enjoy. I am sending a little present tomorrow or the next day, which I would ask you to forward to her."
12mo. Approx 5 x 4 inches. Written on the rectos of two leaves with versos blank. One slight crease, else fine.
The contralto singer, Clara Butt (1872-1936), married the baritone, Kennerley Rumford, on 26th June 1900. Sir Henry Irving was, at this time, probably the most celebrated actor of his day and Clara Butt (later Dame Clara Butt-Rumford) was one of the leading concert singers. Elgar had composed Sea Pictures with her in mind as the soloist and she had sung at the premier performance of this in October 1899, with Elgar himself conducting.
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