Fine clipped autograph of Charles Collette (1842–1924), the celebrated Victorian and Edwardian comic actor, singer and playwright. Signed in ink “Faithfully yours / Charles Collette.” in his correspondence hand, not his faster stage‑door hand — a scarcer form of his signature.
The card slip is cut from a short letter or enclosure, evidenced by the manuscript line on the reverse:
“Paragraph which I send herewith with the pieces? If you can do”
REVERSE SIDE – HERBERT SLEATH’S PRINCIPAL COMPANY
The reverse carries the printed red‑ink card of:
“Mr. HERBERT SLEATH’S PRINCIPAL COMPANY, From the Strand Theatre, London. Under the Direction of Mr. FREDERIC A. STANLEY.”
This card is fully authentic to the Edwardian touring era, c. 1900–1908. Herbert Sleath (born Herbert Sleath‑Skelton, 1870–1921) was an actor‑manager who specialised in taking London West End successes to the provinces. Around 1902, Sleath was actively producing material associated with the Strand Theatre and collaborating with Frederic A. Stanley. The typography, layout and red branding are exactly right for this period.
Performers frequently wrote notes on whatever theatre stationery was available backstage or in touring offices, so Collette’s autograph appearing on Sleath’s company card is entirely consistent with theatrical practice of the time.
Condition as photos. Guaranteed Original. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.
Charles Henry Collette (Jul 1842 – Feb 1924) was an English stage actor, composer and writer noted for his work in comedy in a long career onstage. He appeared, beginning in the late 1860s, in many Bancroft productions and was engaged by other managers, including J. L. Toole, John Hollingshead, Mary Anderson, Lydia Thompson and Herbert Beerbohm Tree, as well as performing in his own companies. He toured for some years as the title character in F. C. Burnand's The Colonel and played many military men.
PROVENANCE:
One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil.
Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.
Complete with digital .jpg CoA - as photo - for you to print if needed
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