On offer is a letter to Sir John Heron Maxwell, mentioning a party that Sir John had missed.It reads: Dear Sir John,I tried to change the date - but could not manage it. We had a most pleasant party - one you wd have enjoyed.Finlini sang exquisitelyLazarre played - “ - and Russell and Col. Bouci added much to the jollity of the evening. My wife's sister will be riding out with me next week. Wd your daughter like to accompany us? We shd be delighted to call for her.Kind regards to Lady Maxwell. Ever Yrs Truly, E.A. Sothern "Col. Bouci" was a theatrical figure, not a military one. It's likely a humorous nickname given that Sothern was very close friends and frequent collaborators with Dion Boucicault. Sothern's famous role, Lord Dundreary, was from a Boucicault play, Our American Cousin. Edward Askew Sothern (1826-1881) was an English actor known for his comic roles in Britain and America, and was a sportsman and bon vivant He was renowned for his magic tricks, conversation, and especially his practical jokes, his passion for which amounted almost to a mania. He was born on April Fool's Day and was such a notorious practical joker that many of his friends missed his funeral, thinking it was a joke. The recipient, Sir John Heron-Maxwell (1808-1885) 6th Baronet of Springkell and a captain in the Royal Navy. A two page autographed letter on an “1862” watermarked page , 10-½ x 6-½ inches unfolded. The lower section of the second page measuring 5-¼ x 1-⅜ inches is missing, and a hole 1 x 1-½ inch at the top centre of page one with the last name of Heron-Maxwell missing. There is some additional fold creasing and anachronistic pencil notations. Good condition otherwise. Related Items: 12486 | 12487
