Raynors HCA 2018-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2018
DURANG, Charles (1794-1870) the first native-born American professional dancer. Charles made his first appearance in the Chestnut Street Theater at the age of 7 in 1803, and subsequently performed in almost every theater in the United States. He was actor, author, stage manager, prompter, ballet master, and finally opened a dancing academy. He was the author of a "History of the Philadelphia Stage from 1752 to 1854," which appeared serially in the Philadelphia Journal. War-date Autograph Letter Signed “Cha. Durang” 4pp. octavo, September 14, 1864, and reads in part: “...I think that you might assist me in some official way in getting out my stage history, giving you an interest, or, a percentage on its sales, or such arrangements as might be satisfactory to you....I have to nurse my locomotive machinary if I undere take the miseries of the Waltz, as Lincoln said, when he was unfortunately elected President for this once happy land. Being questioned by his friends, replied ‘I’ll run the machine as I find it.’ All McClellan’s friends should visit the Continental Wigwam in Walnut St. There is some very racy speechifying thrown off there at times. That Northraff the candidate for Congress against Judge Kelly (I don’t know if I spell his name right) is a very good speaker and drew one of the most admirable portraits of Old Abe I ever saw or listened to....” Very good condition.
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