Beerbohm, Max

310 by 186mm., ink and watercolour drawing, signed "Max" centre right and titled lower centre, mounted, framed and glazed, some minor spotting, slight browning, laid-down to board

from the collection of Frank Craven, the American actor (1881-1945)

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."

Not recorded by Hart-Davis.

Sir Charles Wyndham (1837–1919), the actor and theatre manager, built Wyndham's Theatre in 1899 and the New Theatre (now the Albery) in 1903. Writing in the Oxford DNB, Michael Read notes that, "with the sole exception of Ellen Terry, no British player of his era surpassed his ability to sway the audience by the power of personal charm". Both Wilde and Shaw considered Wyndham the ideal comedy actor and, according to Read, "his stage persona was the model for John Worthing in Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest and the young heroes of Shaw's The Philanderer, Arms and the Man, Candida, and You Never Can Tell." Beerbohm described him as "the high-priest of farce".