[Thorndike, Sybil and Lewis Casson]

i) Shaw, Bernard. Three notes to Eileen or Sybil Thorndike making arrangements for performances of St Joan, providing a clarification of the term "professional... it means... that you put the money in your pocket and live on it" and also "that the performance must not be for anyone's benefit but your own. That is the essence of professionalism. Whether the performers are paid or not has nothing whatever to do with it...", 3 pages, 1926--ii) Licence signed by Shaw for Eileen Thorndike to perform St Joan at the Pavilion Theatre, Weymouth, 1926--iii) Agreement signed for Sybil Thorndike to perform St Joan at the Wimbledon Theatre, 1926--iv) Agreement signed for Sybil Thorndike to perform St Joan in South Africa, 1927--v) Five photographs of Sybil Thorndike as St Joan (2 copies and 7 copies provided of two images)--vi) Seven programmes for St Joan, c.1924-31--vii) Contracts, letters and agreements concerning professional engagement of Sybil Thorndike (Mary Wyndham, re Jane Clegg, etc, 1922); Lewis Casson (Thomas Warner, re The Dream, 1929); Lewis Casson (Leon M. Lion, re Exiled, 1929); Sybil Thorndike (First International Sound Pictures, 1929); Lewis Casson and Sybil Thorndike (Daniel Mayer Company, 1930); Ann Casson (British International Pictures, re The Shadow Between, 1931) and Sybil Thorndike (Gainsborough Pictures, re Hindle Wakes, 1931)--viii) Lord Chamberlain's Licence for Judith of Israel (Strand Theatre, 1928)--ix) Material on the death of Frank Thorndike, comprising telegram from Keeper of the Privy Purse, 1917; telegram from War office, 1917 and printed memorial photograph with quote from Macbeth (3 copies)--x) Rough drafts of scripts or scenarios, comprising: Wonderful Walker, 13 pp. together with ALS (Charles B. How), 1935; The Mild Young Curate, 4pp.; The Garden Gate, 3pp.; A Mother's Marriage, 10pp.; Mind Your Own Business, 64pp.; together with other unidentified material--xi) Miscellaneous Family correspondence (3 packets)--xii) Sybil Thorndike's bank receipt book, 1938-39, lacking wrappers--xiii) 'Marriage Festival' hymns for marriage of Sybil Thorndike and Lewis Casson, 1908--xiv) General correspondence including folder of material relating to stocks held by Lewis Casson and Sybil Thorndike--xv) Typed diary account of a 1935 visit to Russia, 12pp.--xvi) Collection of c.270 photographs of family (including Victorian portraits), professional portraits, including five signed by Sybil Thorndike, two signed by photographer Angus McBean--xvii) Collection of 25 programmes, c.1924-37--xviii) Correspondence, bank receipts, bank receipt book, etc. relating to the Ben Greet Memorial Fund, including correspondence from Lilian Baylis, c.1937--xix) Miscellaneous newspaper magazine clippings and periodicals, including The Student Leader [Laurence, Shaw C2568] and Shaw's Playwrights and Amateurs [Laurence, Shaw A157 second setting]; some spotting and browning, creases and tears

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Sybil Thorndike first came to the attention of Shaw when she understudied the role of Candida in 1908. Although St Joan was first performed on Broadway in 1923, Shaw had written the lead character with Thorndike in mind and she starred in the play for the English premiere on 26 March 1924. This extensive archive provides an insight into the professional and private lives of Thorndike and her husband Lewis Casson.