Autograph Collection: Dawes album

Description

Autograph album (formerly A9) inscribed 'F.M. Dawes, 11a Portland Place, London', viz. Mrs Florence Mary Dawes (previously Thornton), born c.1864, and by 1912 widow of Frank Dawes of Marylebone, solicitor (died 1910). Signatures, with messages, sketches, poems, musical scores, photographs etc., occur on the first 133 leaves but also, tipped or pasted in, are signed programmes, menus etc. for London events that she attended. A number of papers are also loosely inserted. Many of the contributors were distinguished literary, theatrical and musical figures, but in the 1920s the volume also appears to have been taken on sea cruises to be signed by fellow passengers.