CHARLES COBORN - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 09/19/1921 - HFSID 166765

CHARLES COBORN
Charles Coborn wrote his letter on his personalized letterhead from Annan, Scotland in 1921 about upcoming appearances in Glasgow, The comedian, famed for his appearances in British music halls, wrote that he didn't want to appear in any music halls in Glasgow: "Some of these M. H. Managers have not sufficient authority to mix a seidlitz powder without permission from London."
Autograph letter signed "Charles Coborn". 2 pages, 8 ¼ x 10 ½, 1 sheet, front and verso, on Coborn's personalized letterhead. Annan, Scotland, Sept. 19, 1921. In full: "Dear Freer, That is a very nice circular letter but I hardly think you will find the Music Hall Managers very helpful. I dont [sic] want to appear at any Music Hall; I have practically done with them. I want the Press & the Public of Glasgow interested - including the Lord Provost, if possible - in the doings of an old Glasgow favourite. Some of these M. H. Managers have not sufficient authority to mix a seidlitz powder without permission from London. By the way, I have my Bailie Cairns at this hotel in Carlisle & was to say that he was asking after you. He says he expects to be in Glasgow tonight. Of course you will understand that I am not rounding on the M. H. Managers & I should be glad of their help but they have not been very helpful to me on the road in many cases, largely because they have little individual power & some of the big London directorate & I have had little in common for a long time. At the Empires Birmingham & Sheffield the managers & many of the townspeople greatly desired that I should appear, but the London head-quarters refused permission so I went on my road again leaving many disappointed people. At the great Hippodrome in Manchester I appeared & had a great reception also at Blackport & other places I never asked the Moss Empires another favour. I am only letting off all this blather lest you should expect a good deal from the disappointed. All the same I leave the whole matter entirely in your hands I know that all will be for the best. You will doubtless get another letter from me before this. Heaps of thanks and good wishes. Yours fraternally". British music hall veteran Coborn (1852-1945), born Colin McCallum, appeared in music halls in the United Kingdom from 1872 until shortly before his death in 1945. His reputation as a singer and comedian rests largely on his signature songs: Two Lovely Black Eyes, which he adapted from an existing song in 1886, and the sing-along The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo, written by Fred Gilbert in 1891. Coborn also campaigned for improved working conditions in music halls and helped to form the Music Hall Artists' Association in and the Music Hall Benevolent Fund. Lightly toned, stained and creased. Discolorations, which touch handwriting but not signature. Light tears and nicks along all edges, which touch handwriting but not signature. Rust stains in top left corner. Staple holes at top edge. Folded in half horizontally and twice vertically. Otherwise in fine condition.