The Fans
Here a some examples of the fan letters which Vesta Tilley
received:
A Schoolboy's
Request
| A Banker's
Request
| A Female Fan's
Request
|
Anonymous Admirer's
Appeal
| Charity
Appeal
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back to Vesta
Tilley Collection
A Schoolboy's
Request
This letter is from a 13 year old schoolboy from Wales, who
wishes to have a photograph of Vesta for his "mantle piece in the
bedroom at school for perhaps," he writes, "I shall never see you
again."
Back to
Top
A Banker's
Request
This letter, with the letterhead, "Eccentric Club", is from a
gentleman, expressing his disappointment that he will be unable to
see Vesta perform in London before his return to South Africa.
He requests her autograph, and gives his address as care of
the African Banking Corporation Limited.
Back to
Top
A Female Fan's
Request
This letter from a female fan, expresses sadness to hear that
Vesta is retiring from the stage. The fan, Elsie, is so upset that
she "dare not think about it". She also hopes that she will
have the opportunity to talk to Vesta at her farewell appearance at
the Coliseum, and wonders whether Vesta would consider performing
in Watford, as she has friends there who have never seen Vesta
perform.
Back to
Top
Anonymous Admirer's Appeal
This letter from a "few admirers" requests some songs for Vesta
to sing at her farewell visit. The songs requested are
"Following in Father's Footsteps" and "The song, which i think is
one of your latest, where you are dressed as a wounded Tommy in
Hospital Blue."
Back to
Top
Charity
Appeal
This letter is appealing to Vesta's generosity, as the lady
writing has heard of Vesta's "kindness to cripple children in
England", and wonders if she would be interested in helping deaf,
dumb and blind children in India. She has two orphanages with
about 180 "such children who are utterly neglected by their people
who often think them possessed by evil spirits & cast them
away." This lady has come to England for a few months to get
both help and helpers, and requirers five hundred pounds to fund
the passage to India for and the employment of a teacher to work
for five years in India.
Back to
Top
| Return to Vesta Tilley Collection