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Sale 124
Lot 138
Rare, Historic Theater: Signed Photos, Letters, Autographs: Laurence Olivier, Paul Robeson, Gypsy Rose Lee Contract, William Gillette, + 35 More. A collection of 40 late 19th Century early 20th Century autographs and very scarce ephemera all related to theater in America and Great Britain. 1.) An original broadside for a production of KING LEAR in London, 1857 (paper missing in "AR" of Lear, rough edges, can be easily restored by conservation paper backing) 2.) An 1886 Memorandum of Engagement dated November, 1886 by Valentine's Theatrical, Musical and Variety Agency for one of their performers to appear at the Brighton Aquarium, 3.) King George's Pension Fund for Actors and Actresses Theater 1947 Festival Week program with Their Majesties The King and Queen in attendance of the performance of Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. with inside facing page signed by 10 performers including John Gielgud, Edith Evans, Margaret Rutherford, Margaret Rawlings, George Howe, Maria Britnieva and Cyril Richards. 4.) Also performed at Pension Fund Festival was Ivor Novello's "Perchance to Dream". Offered is a rare, handwritten note on the back of a photo which mentions the ancient sculptor Praxiteles, and good tidings to Dearest Eddie. 5.) Martin Harvey, rare, pre-1910 signed program for "Pellas and Melisande" (with hand tipped in scenic designs) as well as an autographed photo post card. 6.) Estelle Winwood signed program for "Prelude" at the Beachwood Theater in 1926.
7.) William Gillette, two rare handwritten letters to Dunhill of London both dated 1923 on his "Seventh Sister" letterhead. Gillette's estate is one of the Great Mansions of America, accumulated wealth as he earned over $300,000/year playing Sherlock Holmes on Broadway and this in the 1920s. His estate is now a popular state park. 8.) Consent by City of New York dated January 26, 1901 to the Carnegie Lyceum theater signed by Robert A. Van Wyck, Mayor of New York for children's plays. 9.) Two letter likely to Eugene O'Neill from the 1930s one from actor Philip Ober who went on to a long career in film, the other by Fred Thompson appealing to be cast after having been in Romeo & Juliet and St. Joan with Katharine Cornell. 10.) Beatrice Lillie, a scarce inscribed and signed 5 x 7" photo "To Fred, No matter where you hide it. I will find it!" Love Bea". On verso is written photo inscribed to Fred Astaire and while their paths crossed numerous times, it is impossible to know definitively. 11.) Agency Contract signed twice by Audrey Sturges, one as Audrey Sturges and one by her stage name, Gypsy Rose Lee dated December 5, 1935
12.) Finally autographs all bold and clean by Paul Robeson, James T. Powers, Cedric Hardwicke, Billy Rose, 2 x Katherine Cornell, outstanding personal note card signed by Noël Coward and a 5½ x 3½" sepia toned photo as well, Laurence Olivier, a TLS dated 1937 by Hellen Hayes on her personal stationery, as well as a signed 8 x 10" photo lifted from a tribute program and lastly, a handwritten letter in pencil on behalf of her charity by the legendary Sophie Tucker. Estimated Value $900 - 1,200
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| Realized $707 |
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