Lot 666
The Hollywood Canteen. A collection of eighty (80) 8" x 10" photographs taken by independent Hollywood photographer Joseph Jasgur at the famous Hollywood Canteen, where enlisted servicemen were entertained and fed by the stars during World War II. The Canteen was the inspiration of Bette Davis and John Garfield, who felt that Hollywood needed to do its share for the war effort. all of the big stars were there: Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich, Bing Crosby, Bette Davis, Danny Kaye, Hedy Lamarr, Bob Hope, Ingrid Bergman, and hundreds more.
The Canteen was located near the intersection of Cahuenga and Sunset Boulevards. Every night some 2,000 service people attended. All of the food, entertainment, and overhead were donated, and over 300 volunteers worked nightly from 7 PM until midnight in two shifts as bus persons, hosts and hostesses, kitchen crews, and general helpers. From the time the canteen opened on October 3, 1942, with Eddie Cantor as the master of ceremonies, until it closed three years later, over 6,000 stars, writers, directors, players, executives, and secretaries registered to work. the only reward they asked or received was the joy of giving.
Joseph Jasgur donated his time and materials to act as the "official Hollywood Canteen photographer." He wore "Photograpaher Badge #1" as he recorded the interactions between the stars and the troops.
These photographs were all hand printed by Jasgur. They are master, original prints made in Jasgur's darkroom from the original negatives at the time the negative was struck. No negatives have survived and these are the only known prints. Many have a dedicated vintage rubber stamp on the verso: "Official Hollywood Canteen Photo," with Jasgur's handwritten captions. Most have card-weight, archival backing.
Some of the stars pictured include: Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Ingrid Bergman, Vivian Blaine, Eddie Cantor, Linda Christian, Gloria Dehaven, Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Ava Gardner, Paulette Goddard, Cary Grant, Hedda Hopper, Susan Hayward, Rita Hayworth, Hedy Lamarr, Fred Macmurray, Roddy McDowell, Janis Paige, Mary Pickford, Ginger Rogers, Basil Rathbone, Mickey Rooney, Ann Sheridan, Red Skelton, and Frank Sinatra.
This unique collection pays tribute to a shining moment in Hollywood history. it should be seen in person to be appreciated. Serious collectors may request a disc showing the front and back of all of the photographs. (Our thanks to Christopher Belport, a writer and expert in early Hollywood photography, for his assistance with this collection.).
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
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