ROBERT KEELEY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 12/28/1827 - HFSID 277574

ROBERT KEELEY
Keeley handwrote, signed and dated this letter in 1827 and 1828 to an unidentified recipient about a pay raise that he got at his current engagement and theatre news in London.
Autograph letter signed "R. Keeley". 4 pages, 7¾x12½ (two sheets, front and verso). Two sections dated Dec. 28, 1827 and Jan. 1, 1828. After apologizing profusely for not writing in the first section, Keeley goes on to relate negotiations between himself and a "Mr. G. Kimble" to increase his weekly salary from £7 to £10. He included their discussion in this letter, of which he was very proud; "I expect your congratulations", he wrote. In the second section, after saying that he was attacked on the street by someone from Edinburgh for not writing her, and that he intended to retaliate with "the perusal of a great mass of rubbish in the shape of long letters from a certain party for whom I have a most refined regard - viz. myself", he continues with theatre news from London and the possibility of travel to Edinburgh and ends with a request for the recipient to keep practicing his "bass singing". 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 and 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. Edges are ragged and have large tears and small holes. Pages have been taped together into one sheet. Folded six times horizontally and twice vertically. Heavily worn, torn and toned along folds. Pages have separated at horizontal folds. Tape repairs along folds. Otherwise in fine condition.