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George Henry Calvert 1888 Letter to Actress Martha Ford- John T Ford Family
George Henry Calvert(January2, 1803 – May 24, 1889) was an American editor, essayist, dramatist, poet, andbiographer.
In a charming, signed and dated letter (July, 15,1888) from Newport Rhode Island, Calvert thanks “Mattie” (Martha) for previous correspondencewith clippings. Complains of oldage. Refers to his work “The Gentleman” Boston:E.P. Dutton and Company, New York: Hurd and Houghton, 1866.
Find a Grave “Author. A direct descendant of theCalvert family who were the proprietors of what became the state of Maryland. AHarvard-educated educator and editor he was the author of many books including\"Illustrations of Phrenology\", \"A Volume from the Life ofHerbert Barclay\", \"Count Julian\", \"Cabiro\",\"Scenes and Thoughts in Europe\", \"The Battle of Lake Erie\",\"Joan of Arc\", \"The Gentleman\", \"Anyta and otherPoems\", \"Arnold and André\", \"Goethe: his Life andWorks\" and \"Wordsworth: A Biographic Aesthetic Study\". He alsocontributed his work to numerous periodicals and was one of the earliestAmerican translators of German works, having done post-graduate study at theUniversity of Gottingen. He was briefly mayor of Newport, Rhode Island in the1850s.”
Condition is fair antique – with folds andwrinkles. See images.
With certificate of provenance from Rare Nest GalleryChicago. Catalog number PMK0006GHC
Collector Biography: Martha Ford Gresham (John T.Ford daughter)
1872, Baltimore – 1923, Baltimore
Growing up in her father’s theaters gave Martha Forda rare vantage point and opportunity to rub elbows with the prominenttheatrical figures of the 19th and early 20th century. Evidence of thisproximity is present throughout her sub-collection. Martha’s autograph book,dedicated photographs and a poem composed by Edwin Booth about her as a toddlerdemonstrate convivial relationships with the stars. From her teen years,Martha’s father worked assiduously to develop and promote her career and fromat least 1894 Martha developed a repertory with renowned Shakespearian actorCreston Clarke (nephew of the Booth brothers). Martha received positive reviewsas Ophelia in Hamlet and as Juliet. From 1890, Martha became known for herrecitation of Francis Scott Key’s “Star Spangled Banner”. The national anthemenjoyed an almost fanatical revival during this period, and she was asked torecite at fairs and festivals across the country, including the 1893 World’sColumbian Exposition in Chicago. Also in the 1890’s, possibly at Daly’s Theatrein New York, Martha met Herbert Gresham, a London-born stage manager and actor.After her marriage to Herbert, Martha seems to have retired from the stage toraise her three children.
I am selling several hundred pieces related to JohnT. Ford, Ford’s Theater and Ford’s descendants who were figures in Americantheater from 1840 – 1970. See my store, subscribe and visit category“American Theater History” for much more.
