AN ACTRESS IN BUFFALO PAYNE (John Howard, 1791-1852, American Actor, Playwright and Diplomat, author of 'Home Sweet Home')

Evocative Autograph Letter Signed in pencil with a transcription to Thomas N. Parmelee in Buffalo, saying that he is "desirous of securing your good offices in favor of Miss Tyrrell who is about making a professional visit to Buffalo and other theatres under the same Management. Miss Tyrrell is from England where she has performed in both tragedy and comedy with a success, which the specimens she has given on this side of the Atlantic prove<s> her to have deserved – you will oblige me much if you will favor her with the sort of aid in the press & in society so essential to the recognition of a strangers worth ...". 1 side 8vo., with an envelope, (bearing 'Payne' in pencil, otherwise unmarked), to Mrs Tyrrell at Tremont House [Hotel], 110 Broadway, New York, Washington, 21st April Top right hand corner torn off without loss of text

John Howard Payne, born in New York and raised in Boston, began writing theatre criticism at 14, followed by a comedy in five acts. At 16 he took to the stage to support his family. He spent 1813-1832 in London. During that time, in 1823, he wrote an opera 'Clari, or the Maid of Milan'. It included his 'Home, Sweet Home', with music by Sir Henry Bishop adapted from an Italian folk song, and it became an instant success. Back in America, he also took an intense interest in the fate of the Cherokee Indians, due to be moved west, and his papers are a rich source of material about them.
Thomas N. Parmelee was editor of the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, a daily evening paper and the oldest paper in the city. Its four pages had local news and a large number of advertisements.
The pencil note 'Payne', from other envelopes we have seen, is in the hand of James McCarroll (1814-1892, the Irish-Canadian Journalist, Poet, Musician & Inventor). He moved from Toronto to Buffalo in February 1866 and may well have obtained this letter at that period.

Item Date:  1840

Stock No:  36146      £225

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire