To Benjamin Webster, 3 March 1869

ALS to Benjamin Webster, [Wednesday] 3 March 1869. 206x134mm, book folded, mourning paper with thin black edge, engraved address, u/l case gothic type centred, no visible watermark. Several small tears along edges repaired with tape, signs of mounting. Pasted on the blank fourth side is the front cover only of the associated black edged envelope 71x112mm with penny red stamp glued on.

The Public Face of Wilkie Collins II 130

	[90, Gloucester Place, Portman Square. W.] 3rd March 1869 My dear Webster,  I was very sorry  to miss you when you  called yesterday. I  had gone to my lawyer  with your son's draft  of the agreement. It  requires some alterations  in form-which will  be [deleted letters] immediately  proposed to your son. In the meantime, let
	us consider the substance  as agreed on between  you and me-and let  me hear what I can  do towards helping the  piece forward on your  stage. I expect  to see Fechter, here,  either tonight or  tomorrow-and  if you have any letter  or message for him, I  will take care that
	he has it. Yours ever Wilkie Collins  Benjamin Webster Esqr P.S. Proposed advertisement: = In Preparation, a Drama  in three acts, by Wilkie  Collins and Charles Fechter. = N.B. I leave you to do  what is necessary about  Fechter's re-appearance in  the new Drama.
	Benjamin Webster Esqr  Adelphi Theatre  Strand W.C [Envelope is postmarked]  LONDON W 5 MR 3 69

NOTES
Benjamin Webster (1797-1882), actor, proprietor, manager of the Theatre Royal Adelphi. The theatre had been rebuilt by T H Wyatt and Stephen Salter and in 1869 a new Royal entrance was built. Although the theatre is still on the same site - Adelphi Theatre, Strand, London WC2E 7NA - it was rebuilt in 1930 and nothing of the original theatre now remains.

The play referred to is Black and White which was written by Collins from an idea by Charles Fechter (1824-1879). It opened at the Adelphi on 29 March 1869 and ran for 60 nights.

Webster as Joey Ladle in Collins's adaptation of No Thoroughfare which ran at The Adelphi for 151 performances from 26 December 1867 to 20 June 1868. Fourth from left is Charles Fechter as Obenreizer.

Collins was still mourning the death of his mother Harriet on 19 March 1868. This black-edged letter is just within the year's mourning period.