Mrs. Patrick Campbell (born Beatrice Stella Tanner, 1865-1940) letter archive, including twelve (12) ALS written by Peter Pan author, Sir James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937) to the famous British actress. The twelve J.M. Barrie letters, written between 1888 and 1925, reflect a growing fondness between the pair over the years; James Barrie begins by formally addressing her as "Mrs. Campbell"and progresses from calling her Beatrice to Stella, and in his 1925 letter, he signs off: "My Love, JMB". The most significant letter appears to be one dated 23 Oct. 1921, transcribed by Campbell in her autobiography, "My Life and Some Letters" (beginning on page 349), in which Barrie expresses jealousy over her relationship with George Bernard Shaw: "My Dear Stella, I am much elated to find that you have preserved for so long these two old letters of mine. Is the faint perfume that I fondly think comes from them really lavender? And if it is (I wish I hadn't thought of this), is it lavender meant for me, or were my little missives merely kept so near the beautiful G.B.S. [Shaw] budget that in time they stole some of the sweetness in which, I am sure, he lies wrapt?". He also notes that writer's cramp has forced him to use his left hand to write instead of his usual right hand. Barrie letters approximately 7" H x 5" W. Lot includes four (4) additional letters and 1 telegram, all approximately 8 1/2" H x 11" W, dating from Mrs. Campbell's film career in the 1930s with signatures of Norbert Lusk, Belford Forrest, and Edmund Goulding. Biography (source: The University of Chicago Library, which holds a collection of Campbell's papers): "Beatrice Stella Campbell, known professionally as Mrs. Patrick Campbell, was a renowned English actress, famous for her portrayal of characters at once passionate and intelligent. The daughter of an English businessman in India and an Italian countess, she began her professional stage career in 1888. Her first great success was as Paula in "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray" by Arthur Pinero. Among her famous Shakespearian roles were Juliet, Lady Macbeth, and Ophelia. She also starred as Melisande in Maeterlinck's "Pelleas and Melisande," and in the title roles in Hofmannsthal's "Elektra," and Yeat's "Deirdre." In 1914 she created the role of Eliza Doolittle in George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion," and she maintained a warm friendship with the playwright. After World War I, she played few new roles, mainly recreating her former starring parts on tour in the United States and England. During the 1930's she also played minor roles in several American films. She died in 1940 in Pau, France." Provenance: a Middle Tennessee estate, by descent from Thomas G.B. Wheelock. Note: Thomas G.B. Wheelock was known as an astute collector of African Art and co-author of the book "Land of the Flying Masks: Art & Culture in Burkina Faso". He also inherited a sizeable collection of Asian, British, and military related antiques from his grandparents, Gilded Age tycoon George Briggs Buchanan of New York, and William and Margaret Wheelock, who owned a Scottish manor home known as Bunker Hill. (Margaret Carmichael Wheelock was also a founding partner of the fashion firm Farquharson & Wheelock in New York). (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com.)

Barrie letters: All letters with small holes from apparent previous binding; Nov. 1888 letter has old tape at seams; other letters generally good condition with toning and scattered foxing. Other letters: taped seams on MGM and Picture Play letters, chipping to edges of Goulding telegram, general toning and scattered foxing.