Autographs on a Handkerchief.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 44

Autographs on a Handkerchief.

Mr H. 0. Quarles is a gentleman who has hit upon an entirely new variation of the autograph -collecting craze. Briegy put, his method is to induce celebrities, especially those connected with the stage or concertroom, to favour him witii their signatures on a forge white silk handkerchief, which he always carries about with him. "Ladies are further requested to embroider their autographs in their favourite eolotir. The story of the birth of this peculiar hobby is somewhat interesting. About a dozen years ago Mr Quarles was a miner m one of the Western States of America. Having made a fortune, he went to ]\e*v York, and as it happened, spent Ins first evening there in a theatre. He was profoundly impressed by the acting, and Decame a confirmed theatre-goer. One evening he saw Sir (then Mr) Henry Irving, to whom a ' friend introduced him after the performance. The great actor was amused by Quarles's enthusiasm, andbegan to chaff him gpod-humouredly' about t it. " You will be /wanting our autographs next. T fancy," said the famous actor. . - " That's' a good idea," replied Quarles ; " and I'm ' going to act on it at once. Mr Irving, you must be the first to sign your name." f - "Cheerfully," my friend.", answered .Irving ; " but as you don't happen to have an album handy, the thing is impossible. I am willing to give you the autograph, but "

"No excuses," retorted Quarles ; " write your name in pencil on this." Then he drew a large white silk handkerchief from hi? pocket and handed it to Irving, who laughed, and, picking up a pencil," affixed his signature in one corner. On the following day Quarles induced Mr Irving to present him to Miss Ellen Terry. " You are a very great actress," said he, " and I not only want your autograph, but I want you to embroider both your own name and Mr Irving's in any coloured silk you fancy." Then he handed the handkerchief to Miss Terry, who spent an hour m embroidering on it her own and Mr Irving's autographs. Mr Quarles then settled down to the tasV of collecting the autographs of all the bestknown celebrities, and, since neither time nor money was an object to him, he nas succeeded in getting together a most remarkable collection. (