Anna Dickinson Palmer, A.M. 1875-80Sheridan Shook, Proprietor. A.M. Palmer, Manager Union Square Theatre New York, March 8, 1875 My Dear Miss Dickinson: When I made the appointment with you for tomorrow afternoon I had forgotten that we were to give a Benefit Performance here which would require my attention. If quite as agreeable to you I will call at Mrs Bullard's at half past nine o'clock to-morrow morning on my way down town. Or if this is not convenient I will meet you any day you may name except Thursday. Yours faithfully, A.M.PalmerUNION SQUARE THEATRE,. SHERIDAN SHOOK, Proprietor. A.W. PALMER, Manager. New York, March 12, 1875 My Dear Miss Dickinson:- Permit me to introduce to you Mr Hart Jackson. I have explained to him that you desire to see him relative to an old adaptation of "Jane Eyre" Yours truly, A.M. Palmer. Miss Anna E. DickinsonSole Lessee and Manager, Mr. A.M. Palmer Union Square Theatre, Broadway and 14th St. New York, Jan'y 21st 1879 My dear Miss Dickinson: I have talked over the matter, mentioned at our last interview, with Mr Wallack and one or two of my fellow managers and I find that, while there is the deepest feeling of gratitude to you for the bold stand you have taken in behalf of the stage and a disposition to put that feeling into expression, there is a reluctance to give it the shape I suggested. Mr Wallack says that he fears it would appear to the world as though we admitted in advance that we needed defence; and there are others who share in his opinion. For my part I freely confess that we do need to be defended and I so told [him?] Mr Wallack very frankly and very explicitly. But I fear that my opinions & feelings are not those of the majority of the older and more influential members of the dramatic profession. Under thecircumstances I am a loss what to do. Shall I call upon you this after noon on my way up town? Or will you come here before four o’clock? I wrote to Mr Tompkins and you ought to hear from him to-morrow. Yours Truly A.M. Palmer Miss Anna E. Dickinson Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr A. M. Palmer Union Square Theatre Broadway and 14th St. New York Jan'y 23rd, 1879 My dear Miss Dickinson: - I am very glad you understand me. If you are to speak next Sunday let me know it, for I mean to help you to an audience of actors if help is needed. Yours Faithfully A. M. PalmerMr. A. M. Palmer, Sole Lessee and Manager Union Square Theatre, Broadway and 14th Street New York, Dec. 8. 1879. My dear Miss Dickinson: - I have your note of this morning. I shall be happy to see you at any time and will "ratify" any appointment you may make. Very Sincerely Yours, A. M. PalmerSheridan Shook, Proprietor. A. M. Palmer, Manager. Union Square Theatre, Broadway and 14th Street. New York, April 20. 1878. My dear Miss Dickinson: - I received your note yesterday. I hope you will not be discouraged because I could not see your play in altogether the same light in which you see it. You must remember how much I have at stake whenever I pick up a new play, and how many interests besides my own I have to consider at every step I take. Your remark about my willingness to do everything French and my unwillingness to do anything American, hurt me not a little. I am more anxious than I can tell you to do plays which are the products of American brains; but I want good plays even more than I want American plays. I have the strongest faith possible in your ability to write a good play, and I believe you will yet do it. I can assure you nothing would give me greater pleasure than to present it to the public when you have written it. Believe me, my dear Miss Dickinson, I am, Yours Very Sincerely, A.M. Palmer Miss Anna E. DickinsonPalmerNo. 651 Madison Ave Eliz. N. J. 4.25.78. My dear Mr Palmer Relieve yourself I beg, of any anxiety on the score of my being "discouraged" by your "opinion" of my play. In the first place, I do not know it, since [you] it was reserved [in] for a personal reading which you have had no opportunity to make; - & in the second place I had formed a too clear & dispassionate judgment of my own work to be affected by anyone [a] carefully brought opinion of any one else untill that opinion should be one for which I had more respect than for my own. I am glad to read of your faith in my ability to write a good play, in which faith I cordially agree, since what I have done I can, doubtless do again. From the last of your sentence professing anticipated pleasure in presenting such play to the public, deeply as it grieves me to attach the shadow of a shade of doubt to your word, I am reluctantly compelled to dissent . Believe me to be with sincerrity yours AED To/ Mr. H. M Palmer Union Square TheatreSole Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. M. Palmer Union Square Theatre, Broadway and 14th St New York, Jan’y, 18th 1879 My Dear Miss Dickinson: - I fully intended to hear your lecture at Chicking Hall last evening, but unfortunately mislaid the tickets you were good enough to send me. What was still more unfortunate I did not discover this loss until it was too late to procure others. This morning I have read the Tribune’s report of the lecture, and, as one the workers on the stage, I want to thank you for it. No more admirable presentation of the claims the theater has upon those in a community where ambition is to be “right - minded” has ever been put forth in my opinion. One of the morningpapers say you are going to repeat the lecture on a Sunday Evening when actors can hear it. If this time, and I can do anything towards giving you a great audience, I hope you will command me. Yours faithfully, A.M. Palmer. Miss Anna Dickinson UNION SQUARE THEATRE, 14th St. & Union Square. A.M. PALMER, Sole Lessee & Manager. W. H. JOHNSON, Business Manager. NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 1880 My dear Miss Dickinson:- I am grateful for your congratulatory note upon the successful production of "Daniel Rochat". The play has met with unexpected favor, and is attracting great audiences. I really hope it is in for a long run. Send me any plays you may desire me to read or - better still - bring them yourself, and you will perhaps live to learn that the way to the Union Square stage is not as difficult as you imagine. Very Truly Yours, A.M. Palmer Tuesday.Oct. 29. 1880 My dear Mr. Palmer, The drama ‘The test of honor” you submitted to me for perusal. I have read very carefully. The story is highly sensational and highly improbable. The dialogue, while displaying marked ability, is forced, and the sentiment greatly exaggerated. I would almost characterize the personages as approaching the impossible. The solution of the ‘mystery’ of the piece by a twin sister is weak and unsatisfactory. I am sorry that the vigor of the language was thrown away upon so unpromising a plot. I do not think its production at the‘Square’ as at all desirable. I am sure it would not be profitable. - I see besides many difficulties in its fitness for the members of your company. Most of the characters come under the Category of being disagreeable & thankless. Miss Dickinson clearly shows that with a less ungrateful plot she could write a good drama. Yours very Sincerely Jnos ParselleProprietor and Manager, Mr. A. M. Palmer. Union Square Theatre, Broadway and 14th Street, New York, October 30. 1880. My dear Miss Dickinson: - I have lost no time in reading again “The Test of Honor”. I have also had it read by Mr Parselle and I send herewith his written opinion as to its fitness for my stage. Upon that point you will see that he agrees with what I said to you concerning the play when you first read it to me. A third reading of it convinces me that my first impression was right. It would be [impossible] unprofitable for both of us if I should do it, and, anxious as I am both to oblige you and to serve myself by having your name associated with my theatre, I do not think it would be the part of wisdom to sacrifice my own judgment and that of my stage-manager even to attain so desirable an end. I have sent the manuscript to your address by Express. Believe me when I say that I shall be most happy to read any other play you may write and that I sincerely hope the next one you submit to me may be suited to my purposes. To/ Very Truly Yours, Miss Anna E. Dickinson. A. M. Palmer11.12.80 My dear Mr. Palmer, Mr. Chatfield wrote to me at Phila that the play had reached her hands & that she had sent you a line to that effect, otherwise, I would have compelled my lame claw to have scratched you a word. I'm sorry you did not like it. However: - one man's owl is another man's nightingale. So it must be. I am spending a few days with a friend & mean toSee Rochat again before I slip back to Phila. Good luck attend it & you with your friend . A E D A.M. Palmer Esq. Mr. Parseke