Fine Books & Manuscripts

[SHERLOCK HOLMES]. GILLETTE, William (1853–1937). An Archive of Autograph Letters from William Gillette to Actress Amy Busby and Others with Several Mentions of Sherlock Holmes. 12 letters total, each signed by the actor, numerous holograph emendations and corrections in ink. Includes 9 letters of correspondence (28 full pages of handwriting) written from 1895 to 1922 from Gillette to stage actress and dear friend Amy Busby and rumored to have both been engaged to one another but never wed. In a letter (dated 1895) from Gillette to Busby, the actor appears to be remorseful over the apparent breakup: “When I think it all over it seems to me that you must wish with all your heart that you had never met me. For myself–selfishly–I cannot feel so, as I value your friendship unspeakably–but it seems to me that with you it is only a trouble–a pain–a weight upon your life. If it could only be different!” Both Busby and Gillette became god parents that year to Gertrude Berkeley’s son, Busby Berkeley William Enos (mentioned throughout the correspondence), who was named after the couple and who would later become one of Hollywood’s greatest directors and choreographers; one letter (3 full pages) is addressed to a “Mr. Busby” inviting him and the household to see his performance of “Sherlock Holmes”; and two letters (4 full pages) addressed to a “Mrs. Lewis” with one (dated “November 1899”) turning down an invitation for supper after his performance citing that he has been “seriously overworked the past few weeks” stating that he “shall go through the evening on what is known as dry power – so steal part of ‘Sherlock’ will be realistic if not artistic”. William Gillette is best remembered for portraying Sherlock Holmes on stage and in a 1916 silent film thought to be lost until it was rediscovered in 2014. His portrayal of Holmes helped create the modern image of the detective with his use of the deerstalker cap, curved pipe, and magnifying glass that became enduring symbols of the character. Gillette is also credited with developing the complete phrase: “Oh, this is elementary, my dear fellow” which became one of the most famous expressions in the English language. He assumed the role of Sherlock on stage more than 1,300 times over a thirty-year career cementing his legacy on both the American and British stages.