Copied Correspondence by Harold Moulton sent to Jennie Lorenz, Sept 25, 1950

Dublin Core

Title

Copied Correspondence by Harold Moulton sent to Jennie Lorenz, Sept 25, 1950

Subject

Actors and Actresses--US American
Hale, Sarah Josepha, 1788-1879
Cook, Eliza, 1818-1889
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
United States--Philadelphia
Finances
Relationships--Networks
Reputation
Frustration

Description

Harold Moulton sends photostatic copies of two autographed letters to Lorenz. Lorenz requested material relating to Charlotte Cushman.
The first letter is from Charlotte Cushman to Mrs Sarah J. Hale, Editor of “Lady’s Book” (Philadelphia). Cushman would like to "correct" the public image of Eliza Cook and Hale will publish this account.
The second letter is from Charlotte Cushman to Mrs Creswick in Boston. In it, Cushman voices her concern about various theatres which are struggling financially. Her salary has been reduced as well. Cushman is disappointed at the lack of rights that actors have. Susan is ill and confined to her room. Cushman also mentions an article from the New World.

Both letters by Cushman are saved seperately in our collection: 1 | 2


Credit

Library of Congress, Charlotte Cushman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Source

LoC, JLP 5

Date

1950-09-25

Type

Reference

Letter Item Type Metadata

Text

[page 3] September 25 1950

Dr. Jennie Lorenz

501 West 122nd Street, New York, 27. N.Y.

Dear Dr. Lorenz; I have very little material on Charlotte Cushman. The few books I have can be had almost anywhere. However I have two autugraphed [sic] letters of hers. I am senfing [sic] you the photostatic copies of them in the hopes that they may prove of use  and interest to you in your work. Success to the Biography.

Yours sincerely,

Harold Moulton [signature]

Harold Moulton.


 

[page 4] [Letter from Charlotte Cushman addressed to] Mrs Sarah J. Hale. Editor of "Lady's Book" Philadelphia

Tremont House Boston

Sep "22nd 18[??]

Dear Madam.

Business of an urgent nature has alone prevented me from sooner replying to your kind favour of the 17 "inst. In acknowledgement of your flattering request I have no copy of the sketch of me, which Mary Howitt wrote. yet I should so much prefer your selecting what you required. from that sooner. that I will send to London by Wednesday's mail. for a copy. It will, most likely reach me somewhere about the end of +++. Will that be too late?

[page 5] I will also write. to my friend. Eliza Cook to ask her permission. to let me give you any particular of her early life. which may live in my memory. I shall be in N.Y. from the 7" to the end of Oct & probably in Phila, after that time. When I could give you verbally, perhaps a better description [inserted for illegible, crossed-out word] than I could write of her. An account which would tend to correct the very erroneous ideas, which are entertained not only in this country. but in England respecting her. She is a wonderfully gifted woman, but few know how gifted, & I should be glad to have a true woman like yourself give to the world a true account of her. Trusting that I may have the pleasure of seeing you. Either in New York or Boston Phila.

 I remain Ever very truly

Yours Charlotte Cushman

Mrs S. J. Hale

[page 6] Philadelphia. Feby[9?] 1841

My dear Mrs Creswick.

Having a holiday — I do not think I can employ it better than in writing to the mamma of my God. Son. bless his dear heart I hope he is in excellent health & improving to your hearts content: & that he may live to be a blessing & comfort to you. I have had him discribed [sic] to me so exactly by Mrs Martyn. that I can imagine precisely how he looks. I expect Mr C. will have him tacking blank verse. before he is three months old: at all events—There never was such a child born. in your opinion. I dare say—&what a happy thing it is. that. that feeling should possess every  mothers [sic] heart towards her own. I can sure you will make him every thing that could be wished And now. What do you think of theatricals? Did you ever know any thing one half so deplorable. I dont [sic] know how we are going to exist. & every mail brings intelligence of

[page 7] +++ one Theatre about to close. The National in New York. is doing wretchedly. The Park. worse. The Bowery. so. so. with the Horses. & The Chatham[?] respectably 'with the asses—I beg them pardons—it is such awful concerns as that. at a shilling ahead which has' curtailed our fair proportions! Mitchell. by holding the profession up to ridicule. is making a fortune I believe— but it is the Boys & +++! of the Gable. Here in Philadelphia things are worse than. bad: The Woods had a terrible row. +++ closed the theatre. it has been opened for two or three Benefits but it has been a failure—The Walnut—is  making nothing but paying its way=at 1/. for head. The National. I blush to say is bad. bad. bad! for eleven weeks we have been upon two thirds. & for the last three weeks. No salary at all. last Saturday. Burton closed the season—&reduced the salaries of all who remained. I have withdrawn Susan altogether. from the Theatre. & remain myself under a very reduced salary—I have had to go to Law. to hold Burton to his contract. & find that he can keep one out of any money untill [sic] next September—So I have had to give it up as a bad job: I shall remain while[?] untill [inserted, sic] I can better myself. & then go: I have been most heartily

[page 8] disappointed I am delighted to hear of Mr Creswicks [sic] success in Boston. I saw it in the 'Spirit of the Times.' &it was  copied into a Phila paper.  I sent you the paper. I hope he may be as successful every where. I am seriously in hopes that I shall be able to go to England in the spring: when do you think of going? what if we should go together? I think we should have a delightful frolic in crossing. What are you doing in Boston! I think you might let a +++ hear from +++  now & then. just to know if you are in the land of the living. Write! write!! write!!! (I like to be impressive) Power is playing with us for three nights. previous to commencing his farewell Engagement at The Park after him at the Park. they bring out Norma—after that Forrest— after that I believe The "Haiad Queen'. which we have been playing.  Susan is very ill & confined to to her room: Something the matter with her head. Baby is very poorly—& I—I am as thin as 'Job's turkey.'  Elegant simile! They all desire their best love to you. Mr C. & the Boy! & begging you to kiss him a thousand times for me. I am Dear Mrs C.

Ever most truly

Your attached friend 

Charlotte Cushman

[page 9] If you or Mr[?] C. dont [sic] write very soon. & not spend all your time over that boy. I positively will cut your company! My love to M[?] C_ Remember me most kindly to Mr & Mrs Gilbert Your friend [sic] here are all well! Did you see an article of mine in the New World of three weeks ago, or two weeks ago. I dont [sic] know which?

Mrs +++ Creswick 

11 Franklin St 'Tremont Theatre.' Boston

Location (Recipient)

501 West 122nd Street, NYC, NY

Geocode Recipient (Latitude)

40.8108573

Geocode Recipient (Longitude)

-73.9585037

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Collection

Citation

“Copied Correspondence by Harold Moulton sent to Jennie Lorenz, Sept 25, 1950,” Archival Gossip Collection, accessed March 29, 2024, https://www.archivalgossip.com/collection/items/show/286.

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