ROBERT KEELEY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/02/1829 - HFSID 277578

ROBERT KEELEY
Keeley handwrote, dated and signed this 1829 letter to James Thorne at the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh about his forays into bird breeding, complete with X's in the letter where he had to stop writing because of all the noise.
Autograph letter signed "R. Keeley". 3 pages, 7¾x12¼ (one sheet folded, front and verso). March 1, 1829. Addressed "To Mister James Thorne, The Gentleman who fainted away at the execution of the never-to-be-lamented Burke belonging (not Burke but Thorne) to the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh." This letter includes some news about other actors and shows, most of which, Keeley was careful to point out, were bombing in comparison to his shows, which are "doing famously". But the bulk of it is an account of Keeley's adventures into breeding his birds Peewit and Voltaire, including X's in the letter when there was too much for him to continue writing. Keeley (1793-1860) was a well-known British actor who had starred in productions at Covent Garden. He was a successful low comedian, with a humorous style based on his stocky appearance, slow, jerky delivery and a good line in pathos. Keeley's roles include Dogbery inMuch Ado About Nothing and the nurse Mrs. Gamp in the stage version of Dickens' Martin Chuzzlewit, in which he was coached by Charles Dickens himself. Lightly toned, stained and creased. Large tear on right edge of page (touches writing). Wax seal on page 4 with paper loss (touches writing on page 3. Folded five times horizontally and thrice vertically. Heavily worn, torn, toned and with pinholes along folds. Otherwise in fine condition.