Printed note regarding a resolution at the Actresses Franchise League

Single sheet (20 x 25cm), with printed resolution to recto only, signed by Forbes-Robertson in black ink to the lower right hand corner, together with his position (‘Chairman’) and dated on 7th January 1909 alongside his Bedford Square address to the lower left; a couple of spots along the centre fold, else fine. 

[together with]

An additional clipped note (20 x 3cm) with the same manuscript footer dated from the same day, likely clipped from another letter; with ‘Mr J. Forbes-Robinson’ / Actresses’ Franchise League’ written to the verso in a different hand. 

Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson was an English actor and manager famed for his distinguished Shakespeare performances, particularly in ‘Hamlet’ during the Edwardian period. Alongside this, he served as a chairman of the Actresses- Franchise League, supporting women’s suffrage. 

The Actresses' Franchise League held its historic, foundational public meeting at the Criterion Restaurant in London on December 17th 1908. A key resolution passed that day established that the league would remain strictly neutral on suffrage tactics, welcoming all women in the theatrical profession regardless of militancy. Here, the resolution states “That this meeting of professional women call upon the Government immediately to extend the franchise to women; that women claim the franchise as a necessary protection for the workers under modern industrial conditions, and maintain that by their labour they have earned the right to this defence; That copies of the Resolution be sent to Members of the Government.” 

SKU: 1800206