An Original Handwritten and Signed Letter by English Dramatist Sir William S Gilbert. Dated 1888. A request to the publisher for six copies of his plays. Sir William S Gilbert 1836-1911 was an English dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator best known for his collaboration with composer Arthur Sullivan, which produced fourteen comic operas. The most famous of these include H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and one of the most frequently performed works in the history of musical theatre, The Mikado. The popularity of these works was supported for over a century by year-round performances of them, in Britain and abroad, by the repertory company that Gilbert, Sullivan and their producer Richard D'Oyly Carte founded, the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. These Savoy operas are still frequently performed in the English-speaking world and beyond. From a autograph book kept by A. P. Watt (1834-1914), founder of A. P. Watt & Son in 1875, the world's first literary agents. Size is 175m x 115mm. Condition is good. Light age toning. Light foxing.