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

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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