JOHNSTON FORBES-ROBERTSON - AUTOGRAPH FRAGMENT SIGNED - HFSID 19645

JOHNSTON FORBES-ROBERTSON
Handwritten fragment of a letter, signed by Forbes-Robertson in blue ink
Autograph fragment signed "J. Forbes-Robertson." in blue ink.Also signed "1853-1937 English actor" in unknown hand in pencil on page 2. 2 pages, 6x3, 1 sheet front and verso. Bottomportion of letter. Page 1 in full: "They have not [illegible], but I don't [sic] see how they [illegible]it.It is [illegible] - I [illegible]! Otherwise very well. - Let me know if I [illegible]." Page 2 in full: "it means getting to work again then [illegible]!! Two works of his [illegible] from school. I don't [sic] want to start the [illegible]. Till the 26!! - I hear Oct. is early for Chicago. If we [illegible]." English actor JOHNSTON FORBES-ROBERTSON (1853-1936) was called the greatest Hamlet of the 19th century, and one of the greatest actors of all time, yet he disliked acting and considered himself unsuited to it. Originally playing second leads to Henry Irving, he came into his own in Shakespearean roles. George Bernard Shaw wrote the part of Caesar in Caesar and Cleopatra for him (with Robertson's wife, Gertrude Elliott, in the role of Cleopatra). Forbes-Robertson was the brother-in-law of one famed actress, Maxine Elliott, and the great uncle of another, Meriel Forbes, who married Sir Ralph Richardson. Lightly toned and creased. Folded once and unfolded. Writing has smeared slightly on page 2. Writing has light show-through. Top edge has been neatly torn from a larger sheet. Otherwise, fine condition.