Browse Items (122 total)

  • Tags: financial concerns

Cushman's first professional appearance as Countess Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro, April 1835

On April 8, 1835, Cushman made her debut on the stage at the Tremont Theatre in Boston in the role of Countess Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro. While Cushmam's performance seemingly betrayed her nerves, contemporary reviews praised her…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Mrs Creswick, Feb 7, 1841

JLP 5 Copied Correspondance.pdf
This is the second letter included in the correspondence between Harold Moulton and Jennie Lorenz. In this letter from Charlotte Cushman to Mrs Creswick in Boston, Cushman voices her concern about various theatres which are struggling financially.…

Pennsylvania Inquirer and National Gazette, Feb 1, 1843

Pennsylvania Inquirer and National Gazette (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Wednesday, February 01, 1843; Issue 27.pdf
Published in the category of communication, signed by "E."The article mentions the genius of Cushman as well as the struggle of the theater profession to gain public appreciation. Interestingly, the article speaks about Cushman's "private worth" that…

The New York Herald, May 15, 1843

The New York Herald (New York, New York, Monday, May 15, 1843; Issue 132 - entrance fee.pdf
In the section Letter to the Editor, Philadelphia, written by Thorax.The article mentions the entrance fee sum for the Walnut theater. Credit 19th Century U.S. Newspapers

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Mary Cushman, Nov 18, 1844

CCP Box 1 CC to Mother 1844 Nov 18.pdf
Cushman Cushman tells her mother that she has safely arrived in England, and did not get as seasick as she expected on the journey. She feels lonely in "exile" but expects to make some "friends" due to the 70 letters of introduction that she has…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Mary Cushman, Apr 17, 1845

CCP 1, 26-27, CC to mother 1845, April 17 (disapproval) - OV Omeka.pdf
The letter discusses an incident of "beastly conduct of a woman" who Charlotte once defended and called her "intimate friend." Charlotte fears being "implicated by any misrepresentation of hers." Charlotte hopes that her mother's "account was a…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to George Combe, Nov 21, 1845

NLS, ms7275, 28, Charlotte Cushman to George Combe, Nov 21, 1845.pdf
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

NYPL, CC to John Povey, Oct 17, 1847. Omeka.pdf
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 Grace Greenwood to James Fields, [1849]

Huntington, JTFP, Box 40, FI 1733, SJL to JF, 1849.pdf
Greenwood informs Fields that she will not sell her copyrights. She also asks him to forward the enclosed note to Mr. Sargent and to tell Mr. Whipple that Greenwood regrets not seeing him and Mrs. Edwin. Credit Huntington Library, James Thomas…

Letter from Grace Greenwood to James Fields, Jan 4, 1850

Huntington, JTFP, Box 40, FI 1765, SJL to JF, Jan 4, 1850.pdf
Greenwood is anxious to know how the book sale is going. She has some pending payments which is why she is anxious to know whether the book will profit her at all before she starts working on another book line. Fields should send a new supply of…

Letter from Grace Greenwood to James Fields, Mar 1, 1850

Huntington, JTFP, Box 40, FI 1769, SJL to JF, Mar 1, 1850.pdf
Greenwood still has not received the books, which Fields was supposed to send her, and has been waiting on his response regarding Cheney's picture. She inquires of Fields about a piano which he should commission for her from Chickering or…

Letter from Henry F. Chorley to Charlotte Cushman, Mar 7, 1850

CCP 19 Chorley to CC Part 1 Letter 6 OV.pdf
Chorley gives Cushman some advice: "only don't stop in America till you get £30.000. – because, perhaps, by that time you will be used not to want England again." He is outraged over the negative critiques of his play "Duchess Eleanor": "On the…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to C. Adams, Apr 19, 1850 [?]

NYPL Misc Papers MssCol 9069 Cushman letters misc Apr 19, 1850.pdf
Charlotte Cushman asks a Mr. Adams to release her from her contract, since April proves to be an unfortunate time for performances in terms of revenue and people attending. Credit New York Public Library

Letter from Grace Greenwood to James Fields, Oct 9, 1850

Huntington, JTFP, Box 40, FI 1771, SJL to JF, Oct 9, 1850.pdf
Greenwood and Anna Phillips want to attend Jenny Lind's concert. She asks Fields whether he knows of any acquaintances who would accompany them and whether he could purchase the tickets for them. Credit Huntington Library, James Thomas Fields…

Letter from Grace Greenwood to James Fields, Oct 31, 1850

Huntington, JTFP, Box 40, FI 1773, SJL to JF, Oct 31, 1850.pdf
Greenwood asks Fields why he will not send her proof and stresses again that he should not send by express as she does not want to carry the charges.She asks him for an advance of $25 as she is still waiting on remittance from…

Letter from Grace Greenwood to James Fields, Dec 3, 1850

Huntington, JTFP, Box 40, FI 1774, SJL to JF, Dec 3, 1850.pdf
Greenwood inquires of Fields about the release date of "History of my Pets." She suspects that she will not profit much from the fall publications. She asks Fields for another $250 for payments and expenses.Greenwood is currently "half sick with a…

Letter from Grace Greenwood to James Fields, Dec 22, 1850

Huntington, JTFP, Box 40, FI 1775, SJL to JF, Dec 22, 1850.pdf
Greenwood wonders whether Fields has sent the copies of "Pets" inquires about what percentage he will allow her for both volumes. Fields should send Greenwood a copy of the poems in sheets so that she can correct them in case a second edition should…

Letter from Grace Greenwood to James Fields, Apr 13, 1852

Huntington, JTFP, Box 40, FI 1778, SJL to JF, Apr 13, 1852.pdf
Greenwood regrets the lack of correspondence between Fields and her but is overjoyed at the prospect of seeing him again in England. She will leave Rome on the 15th and travel to Naples and Florence with the Hills. Recently she has not been in good…

"Foreign Intelligence", Manchester examiner and times, May 29, 1852

1852. Manchester Times. Finances and Farewell.pdf
This short entry reports on Charlotte Cushman's earnings from her professional tour in the United States, after which she would revisit England before retiring from stage. Credit The British Library Newspapers,Gale Digital Collections