dfosiddons.xml Guide to Letters from Sarah Siddons to various recipients Folger MS Y.c.432 (1-26) Siddons, Sarah, Letters to various recipients Finding aid prepared by Chelsea Rice. Folger Shakespeare Library
201 East Capitol St. SE Washington, DC, 20003 202 675 0325 manuscripts@folger.edu
November 2011 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2011-12-07T16:08-0500 English Letters from Sarah Siddons to various recipients Folger MS.Y.c.432 (1-26) Folger Shakespeare Library 26.0 items 1783-1820 Letters collected from various sources. Includes autograph letters signed or initialed by Sarah Siddons, many of which include her opinions of Shakespeare's plays and her own acting abilities. In English. Sarah Siddons, 1755-1831

Autograph letters from Sarah Siddons to various recipients, including Lady Bridget Wynne Perceval (Countess of Egmont), Eva Maria Garrick, Mary Grantham, George Hardinge, Ann Julia Hatton, William Ingles, Mrs. Joye, Mrs. Lasking, Christina Ann Macready, Hester Piozzi, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Harriet Siddons, Lady Anne Culling Smith, Frances Wynn Soame, John Taylor, Abraham John Valpy, Mrs. Whitley, Sarah Maria Wilkinson and other unidentified recipients. Many letters are theatre-related and contain her opinions on her acting ability and Shakespeare's plays.

 Provenance

Items (7) and (14) were formerly in the collection of A. Morrison.

 Arrangement

The collection is arranged mostly alphabetically by recipient.

 Availability

Collection is open for research. For information about applying for a Reader Card see: http://www.folger.edu/Content/Collection/Reader-Information/.

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 Preferred Citation

[Item title], Letters of Sarah Siddons, 1783-1820, Folger MS Y.c.432 [item number], Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC.

 Additional access

For the collection-level record, and / or to conduct additional research in Hamnet, see http://shakespeare.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=190086.

 Other Formats

Collection also available on microfilm, Film Fo. 4430.1 (reduction ratio 12:1, 12 feet).

 Acquisition Information

Items acquired at various times from various sources. See item level description for accession numbers.

 Processing Information

Processed by Folger Shakespeare Library staff.

 Countess of Egmont, Bridget Wynne Perceval, d.1826 Covent Garden Theatre. Culling Smith, Ann, 1768-1844 Garrick, Eva Maria, 1724-1822 Gwatkin, Mary, 18th/19th century Hardinge, George, 1743-1816 Hatton, Ann Julia, 1764-1838 Haward, Frances, 1759-1797 Ingles, William, 18th/19th century Joye, Mrs., 18th/18th century Knowles, James Sheridan, 1784-1862 Lasking, Mrs., 18th/19th century Macready, Christina Ann, 1765-1803 Morrison, Alfred, 1821-1897 Peynolds, Joshua, Sir, 1723-1792 Piozzi, Hester Lynch, 1741-1821 Siddons, Harriet, 1783-1844 Soame, Frances Wynn, 18th/19th century Taylor, John, 1757-1832 Valpy, Abraham John, 1787-1854 Whalley, Thomas Sedgwick, 1746-1828 Whitley, Mrs., 18th/19th century Wilkinson, Sarah Maria, 1771 Clippings -- 19th century Letters -- 19th century -- Manuscripts Manuscripts -- 19th century Theater -- 19th century -- Manuscripts Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons to Lady Bridget Wynne Perceval, London Y.c.432 (1) 1 leaf 18th or 19th century

Expresses excitement over the recovery of a friend and mentions her role as Lady Macbeth.

 Folger accession

cs274

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons to Eva Maria Garrick Y.c.432 (2) 1 bifolium 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Requests to see Mrs. Garrick at the recipient's earliest convenience.

 Folger accession

cs47

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons to Eva Maria Garrick, London Y.c.432 (3) 1 bifolium 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Apologizes for not replying sooner, explaining that she has suffered rheumatism. She promises to "take the first opportunity of executing your commands" but does not specify what these commands are. Sent to Adelphi Terrace, London.

 Folger accession

cs336

 Autograph letter from Sarah Siddons to Mary Grantham Y.c.432 (4) 1 bifolium 1820 September 25 Scope and Contents note

Expresses her condolences over the death of Mary Grantham's aunt.

 Folger accession

cs467

 Initialed letter from Sarah Siddons to George Hardinge Y.c.432 (5) 1 leaf 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Sends her regrets that she will not be able to assist Mr. Hardinge through her connections to a Mr. Sinley, as she feels she has "no great influence there."

 Folger accession

cs646

 Autograph letter from Sarah Siddons to Ann Julia Hatton (sister) Y.c.432 (6) 1 leaf 1807 Scope and Contents note

Writes that their mother has died the night before; she also comments that her sister will gain "some little addition to your Income" from the death.

 Folger accession

No case or acc. number present

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons, London, to William Ingles, Edinburgh Y.c.432 (7) 1 bifolium 1808 October 26 Scope and Contents note

Recommends her son for acceptance into the theater, detailing his excellent qualifications. Sent from Westbourne Farm, Paddington, London, to Edinburgh.

 Folger accession

cs1786

 Unsigned letter from Sarah Siddons to Mrs. Joye, 9 Jackrile Street Y.c.432 (8) 1 leaf 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Expresses happiness as to Mrs. Joye's pleasure with her "situation last night" and returns her thanks for how liberally Joye displayed that satisfaction.

 Folger accession

cs275

 Unsigned letter from Sarah Siddons, London, to Mrs. Lasking Y.c.432 (9) 1 leaf 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Writes that Mrs. Lasking can depend on having tickets (letter does not offer details on the event for which the tickets are needed). Sent from Westbourne Farm, Paddington, London.

 Folger accession

No case or acc. number present

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons to Christina Ann Macready Y.c.432 (10) 1 leaf 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Writes that she cannot accept Mrs. Macready's invitation, as she has a previous engagement with "the Lady you saw with me." She also notes that she may not be able to go out at all, given her "own sad thoughts."

The letter is glued to a piece of card stock; on the opposite side of the card stock are two printed clippings regarding Sheridan Knowles. One is a poem written by Knowles entitled "Tell's Speech" and the other is a prose excerpt entitled "Sheridan Knowles's Absence of Mind."

 Folger accession

cs393

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons, London, to Hester Piozzi Y.c.432 (11) 1 bifolium 1809 January 29 Scope and Contents note

Writes of a fire which destroyed many "stage ornament[s]" of hers. Despite her brother's (John Philip Kemble) bad health, she notes that his energy remains onstage during performances of "Macbeth." In the postscript, she further details her losses in the fire, noting that a piece of lace was lost which she always wore "in the final scene of Hermione in the Winters Tale." Sent from Westbourne Farm, Paddington, London.

 Folger accession

cs941

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons, London, to Hester Piozzi, Bognbella Y.c.432 (12) 1 bifolium 1812 June 18 Scope and Contents note

Expresses fear of her own approaching death. She quotes Hamlet: "the healthful hue of resolution is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought." Sent from Westbourne Farm, Paddington, London, to Bognbella, near Denbigh, Wales.

Second page of letter exhibited in "The Kemble Family: A Theatrical Dynasty," Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., April 11, 1985-October 28, 1985. A penciled note includes the information that "Eleven days later Mrs. Siddons quitted the stage."

 Folger accession

cs1855

 Unsigned letter from Sarah Siddons to Sir Joshua Reynolds Y.c.432 (13) 2 leaves 1783 May 7 Scope and Contents note

Recommends that the "Picture" should go to the man in question, though she cannot recall his name.

 General note

A penciled note has been added detailing that the person whom Siddons cannot recall is Mr. Francis Howard, who engraved the picture entitled "The Tragic Muse." The note also details how this letter led to a dispute between Sir Joshua Reynolds and Valentine Green.

 Folger accession

cs1919

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons, London, to Harriet Siddons Y.c.432 (14) 1 bifolium 18th or 19th century "October Jubilee Day" Scope and Contents note

Expresses her distaste for a current theatrical performance in London, stating that it is a "barbarous outrage to decency and reason, which is a National disgrace." Sent from Westbourne Farm, Paddington, London.

 Folger accession

cs786

 Unsigned letter from Sarah Siddons to Lady Anne Culling Smith, London Y.c.432 (15) 1 leaf 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Sends her compliments to Anne Culling Smith and requests that an enclosed letter be sent to the Duchess of York. Siddons writes that it details her happiness at the Duchess of York's return to good health. Sent to 27 Upper Baker Street, Regents Park, London.

 General note

Letter is attached to a thin piece of black paper which reads at the top "Mrs. Siddons"

 Folger accession

cs238

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons to Frances Wynn Soame, Dublin Y.c.432 (16) 1 leaf 1787 November 2 Scope and Contents note

Requests to see Soame and mentions her busy lifestyle because of rehearsal for Lady Macbeth. Sent to Henrietta Street, Dublin.

 Folger accession

cs68

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons, Oxford, to John Taylor, London Y.c.432 (17) 1 bifolium 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Reports enjoying her time in Oxford. Quotes a line from As you like it: "That cannot so much as a blossom yield in lieu of all thy care and husbandry." Requests that he ask at her home in London about sending her some things in Oxford. Sent from Mincham, Oxford, to 10 Hatton Garden, London.

 Folger accession

cs1330

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons, Westbourne, London, to John Taylor Y.c.432 (18) 1 leaf 1815 July 20 Scope and Contents note

Sends him her best wishes and regrets that he could not visit during her time in London.

 Folger accession

cs763

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons, London, to Abraham John Valpy Y.c.432 (19) 1 leaf 1814 January 19 Scope and Contents note

Refers to a past request of Valpy's for her to explain her ideas regarding Shakespeare's characters and feels that he will be dissatisfied with her efforts. Sent from Westbourne Farm, Paddington, London.

 Folger accession

css1218

 Copy of an autograph letter from Sarah Siddons to Mrs. Whitley Y.c.432 (20) 1 leaf 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Thanks Mrs. Whitley for a received gift.

 Folger accession

cs1415

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons to Sarah Maria Wilkinson Y.c.432 (21) 1 leaf 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Regrets that they did not have a formal farewell upon her departure.

 Folger accession

cs1505

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons to unidentified recipient Y.c.432 (22) 1 leaf 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Reports that she will arrive in London in time for the "performance," and asks if the recipient will do the same.

Addresses the letter to "Sister."

 General note

Begins mid-sentence, a sign that previous page(s) may be missing.

 Folger accession

cs1376

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons to unidentified recipient Y.c.432 (23) 1 leaf 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Thanks recipient and requests a visit. Quotes Cymbeline: "but Clay and Clay differ in Dignity whose dust is both alike."

 Folger accession

cs751

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons, Westbourne Farm, London, to unidentified recipient Y.c.432 (24) 1 bifolium 1813 Scope and Contents note

Regrets to inform the recipient that even "a thousand pounds will not compensate" for her to read Shakespeare to the public in Drury Lane, London.

 Folger accession

cs292

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons, London, to unidentified recipient Y.c.432 (25) 1 leaf 18th or 19th century Scope and Contents note

Thanks him for his "flattering note" and quotes Shakespeare's Hamlet "a whole Theatre of others" as not so great as his genius. Sent from 27 Upper Baker Street, Regents Park, London.

 Folger accession

cs313

 Autograph letter signed from Sarah Siddons to unidentified recipient Y.c.432 (26) 1 bifolium 1785 October 31 Scope and Contents note

Mentions playing the role of Mrs.Lovemore (perhaps referring to Arthur's Murphy play "The Way to Keep Him") and requests to see the recipient.

 Folger accession

MS Add 708