New-York tribune., 1906-04-02
NOTES OF THE STAGE.
photography of Prompt Books in
the -4stor Library.

~
George Becsz. the actor. who died in ST. Louis in
Nsxy, 1904. beQueathed. 81 may be remembered. his
extensive collection OF prompt books TO the Tiiden
Library OF this city. and they are now TO be found
a. the Astor Library Building.
Mr. FSecis (Svho was born in England in 1884 and
was induced 4" appear on the stage by Henry j.
waIlack with the Boston National Stock Company.
In 1856, devoted the half Of his life 20 this
collection. which IS unique. even in the large as
sortment Of plays stored at tho Astor Library. He
did not seek first editions. hut genuine prompt
hooks and hundreds in his collection bear the sig
natures of noted players. with their and other
persons notes OF business and textuaI cuts and
changes.
In The February issue Of The Bulletin OF the
New York Public Library this collection is cata-
foered and because the edition is already running
low il may well be brought al once 10 the atten-
tion % collectors. managers and actors II may he
that the collection contains great amount of ma
teral little practical service to-day. for reNVls
of -'the cup and saucer comedies Of Mr.. Becks's
active period a player. and Of the early dramas
OF the last century before that. not likely TO
occur IN this generation. But there IS FUND or
shakespearian material and OF the classic wheat
scattered through the chaff of the years The col
lection OF course. IS tabulated IN the card cata-
logua under 'fProTnpt Books" hut The Bulletin"
preserves the record in separate FORM which can
be kept al hand for reference.
Many Dion Boucicault plays will be found IN
manuscript with the original musical scores There
IS Lester Wauacks copy of las You Like II, y,
with the text cut and mounted on loose sheets
Such old comedies as The Beaun 81 stransggis 45nb
and American There is COPY 9f Eo%1R SIoc
4rnaruscript COPY of caste There is also Wal
Jacks prompt book Of ''ForgetlMs1- Not >: 81 Is
scores OF prompt books signed by the same man
OF use 10 amateurs might be the Waliack prompt
Julius Cesar" WIN be found IN eight editions,
one w b Woods copy OF the Keulbe adaptation,
S5s Ss9s vcS ~ s faithfIily marked with the stage
and performed
the Theatres Royal" Among the many King
psyed ct broadway Theatre G. Lewis. pTomPt
er lS' lg ,gc1Iging Igr the FOREST and Kean YER
sions' Edwin Booth's versions OF Romeo and ~
over $40 plavWrights. about lOo0 plays and about
5000 separate prompt books are inciuoeo IN lhe
collection.
Among the dramatic items which viii come up
FOR sale in New York this week arc the first edi-
sion Of James Carlisle's Tho Fortune Hunters
N,ondon 1sSs): the first edition Of Hughes's THE
Siege Of Damascus G>ondon, 1920; the Daly play
bills at the Fifth Avenue Theatre from August -
1s75 n July 2s 1877; THE Young Quaker. com
edv as performed at the Theatre Royal, smoke
Alley. and by the Old American Company !Phiia- ~ "a.
Ideal Husband" These will he sold at the Mer-
R1n-Clay1on rooms on Thursday and Friday.
London hears a bit Of New York theatrical news
that Mr.. Charles Frohmsn has been asked to un-
6ertske the management OF another New YORK
theatre and has consented" under the supula-
.tor that The house shall he called the Barrie. The
Berrie viii he opened so they say London, with
Tevivals of ''The Little Minister" and Peter Pan.
Not Little Mary: Alas!
When .~ae Prince OF Pilsen" comes back tonight
Sv Of the .old familiar faces Will be seen in the
cast and among the missing Is Miss Camille Clii-
ford the girl who was elevated from a Boston
hotel servants quarters TO the chorus. strutted
as the New York girl in ''The Song Of tho Clues
when sen was shown IN London and a esRtgTe7fdi p H,7fi
in London. where she has risen 10 loitg heIsl1S;
oonedy. -rhe Belie Of Mayfair, includes her name
I'm a leading part When Miss May brings me pray pray
10 tea teS once again the neSpressble privilege of
gazing upon Miss Clifford.
The Actors Society Of America viii hold its an
nual benefit ar the Hudson Theatre on Friday
afternoon. May g.
Beginning tonight. Miss Elsie Janis VIII intro
dUcc between the second and third acts OF THE
Vanderbilt cup al the Broadway Theatre. new
iuitatiou Of Miss FRITZ Schef. in the drum scene
from Mile Modiste." In this Characterization
Miss Janis wiz make mp in costume, This will
which has already been well received
For the Tooth performance OF The Vanderbilt
Cup which takes place at the Broadway Theatre
Monday week. the management has arranged 10
distribute souvenirs. They viii be in the form OF
gold hand mirrors. bearing portrait OF Miss Elsie
Janis on the reverse side These mirrors viii be
distributed 10 the women who attend that perform
viii hoe engraved with the title OF the production
and the date
The next attraction AZ the Eden AIusee viii be a
new troupe Of japanese acrobats. contortionists
and jugglors now on their way New York from
seattl'. whore they arrived last Sunday, from
Japan.
". C. SchrOde. well known clown. viii enter
vaudeville for q short engagement directly after
the close of "Humpry Dumpty' running at
the New York Theatre. Mr.. Schrode has been OBJ
tained by T. +. Proctor 10 open at hts Twenty
third Street Theatre Monday. April 16, by ar
Tangcment with Messrs. Klaw & Erlanger. who
have hn under a long contract and he Will with
fheiT permission present "A from the Drurv
Lane eNtravstEanZa in which he has been featured
for the last TWO seasons
Alfred 2. Lester. who has been billed al the
Palace London, The Funniest Man in the
World" has been booked at Mr. Proctor's Twenty
1hird Street Theatre FOR April 16 Mr. Lester has
an act which Is said 10 be unlike the one pre-
Sented by Victor Moore, who Is with Miss Fav
Tcmpleton's company. -
FUNERAL OF I TOWNSEND SMITH,