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Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Madame Vraidot, June 10, no year
A letter of introduction written by Charlotte Cushman on account of an acquaintance who wants to enter the Convervatoire of Paris. Cushman complained about the volume of such requests, especially as she began to suffer from ill health (e. g. "For…
Charlotte Cushman's Worth in 1869
Multiple newspapers listed how much Charlotte Cushman was worth in the year that she returned to the US-American stage. As the displayed sources show, there have been several reprints of this information all over the United States in that month and…
Letter from Emma Stebbins to Dennis Alward, April 12, 1878
Emma Stebbins mentions her financial concerns as she has been "cut off, with all the annuitants — by the estate stopping payment for six months." Stebbins hopes "to make a little something out of the Book" referring to the biography of Charlotte…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Aug 17, 1865
Charlotte Cushman discusses health issues, UK accommodation costs, how important it is to know French for one's reputation in Rome, and hints at a potential future pregnancy of Emma Crow referring to her son's "little sister who means to come some…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Dec 26, 1862
Charlotte Cushman would like her family to live closer to her, thinking of Ned but Emma Crow Cushman in particular. She mentions translation issues and cultural differences between Rome/Italy and the US. Cushman also informs Emma about the pain in…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Dec 5-6, 1862
As Emma Crow Cushman is married and busy decorating and furnishing her house, Charlotte Cushman thinks nostalgically of more frequent and longer "old time letters." Repeatedly, Charlotte mentions that Emma's husband, and Charlotte's nephew and…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to George Combe, Nov 21, 1845
Cushman presents herself as shocked and surprised at the "gross motive [that] might be attributed" to her performance of Romeo on stage together with her sister Susan: "your hints have only plunged me into trouble — for I find the subject, in a new…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to John Povey, Oct 17, 1847
Cushman discusses financial issues, theaters as potentially attracting "vulgar" audiences, the future of the US-American and English drama, Macready's rivalry with Edwin Forrest, newspaper reviews of her performances ("Have them copied when they will…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Henry C. Willard, Nov 22, 1871
Willard has asked Cushman to do a reading of Shakespeare's Henry VIII in Brattleboro in January. She demands $500 for five nights in advance.
Credit
New York Public Library
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Aug 31, 1865
Cushman is grateful for Emma's words of comfort as her mind is currently "crowded with cares & anxieties of many kinds." She regrets that Emma's baby has a cold and hopes Emma has by now seen Dr. Franco.Cushman asks Emma to convey the latest…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Aug 28, 1865
Cushman is glad to hear that Emma, Ned, and their baby are in good health. She is, however, worried about the baby striking his head when he learns to walk and asks Emma to inquire a doctor about some medicine as a precaution. She should also ask…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Aug 25, 1865
Cushman had been feeling "dreadfully depressed" due to the sulfur water but her doctor put her on saline chalybeate, which has improved her health significantly. Ned is suffering a few physical ailments as well, which Cushman ascribes to his…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Aug 21, 1865
Emma will soon travel from Versailles to Paris to meet her sister and mother. Cushman offers Emma some advice for her stay and suggests leaving the baby with the nurse in Versailles so that she has less work on her hands.Cushman is not surprised by…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Hanson A. Risley, July 2, 1869
Charlotte Cushman finds herself in a "poor & nervous state of health" and seeks treatment in England. She turns to Risley for business advice submitting to gender steretypes: "I can not know so much about business as if I were a man."She also…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Hanson A. Risley, March 26, 1869
Again, Charlotte Cushman writes to Risley thanking him for his support in the Quarry investment and reports about the font shipping. The beloved friend that she repeatedly mentions in these letters is probably William H. Seward who retires from his…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Hanson A. Risley, Feb 5, 1869
Charlotte Cushman is grateful for Risley's support in becoming a shareholder of the Seneca Stone Quarry and in pushing the careers of her step nephews. She speaks of a mutual friend in politics who is known for his "sagacity &…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Hanson A. Risley, Jan 8-9, 1869
Risley asked Cushman to order a font for him in Rome. She is calculating the cost for the marble and shipping, considering alternatives, and asking him for permission to order.
Credit
Hanson A. Risley Papers, 1774-1908, David M. Rubenstein Rare…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Olive Risley, Sep 12, 1868
Cushman hoped to be able to invest in the Seneca Stone Quarry but Wayman Crow who is managing her finances disagreed and declined her wish. She comments, " as a woman, I am somewhat at the mercy of a man, who is supposed, & I hope with justice, —…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Edwin Cushman, Aug 23, 1869
Cushman reprimands Ned for his carelessness in regard to writing his letters and paying the postage.She has read Clanson's letter and approves his business proposal. However, he advises Ned to write Clanson another letter and ask Mr. Crow to obtain a…
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Charlotte Cushman
Charlotte Cushman becomes widely known on both sides of the Atlantic as the first successful US-American actress. Earlier, she was a singer under the tutelage of James G. Maeder, married to actress Clara Fisher, in Boston. Charlotte has been the sole financial support of her mother since her father…