Autographs, Books and Manuscripts

Lot 831
Roosevelt, Theodore.
Typed Letter Signed as President. One page, small quarto, Washington, September 28, 1908, on White House letterhead. To Benj. I. Wheeler, President of the University of California, Berkeley. In full:

"My dear President Wheeler: / I have your letter of the 21st. My very slight knowledge of Captain Nance predisposes me in his favor, and of course so does your letter. But it is out of the question for me to say anything about the detail now. / With regard, believe me, Faithfully yours, / Theodore Roosevelt."

Very Fine.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.

Lot 832
Rosen, Baron. Russian Army General.

Signed Check. Approximately 7½ x 2¾" engraved printed check, Washington, DC, June 23, 1910. Drawn on The Riggs National Bank, paid to the order of Albert N. Conor, in the amount of $17.40. With an attractive vignette of the bank and ornate gothic lettering. Signed in dark ink on the face, "Baron Rosen." Minor stain at top left, with punched cancellation and docketing on verso.
Estimated Value $75-UP.

Lot 833
Ruth, Babe. (1895-1948) American Baseball Icon.

Signed Cover of Baseball Magazine. One page, Quarto, n.p., n.d., [circa 1935]. Front cover of Baseball Magazine, depicting "Babe Ruth, ready for work, reports to Manager McKechnie of the Braves." Both Babe Ruth and William McKechnie have signed their names next to their photographs. Cover bears a few faint creases, but is still in Fine condition. Framed with incidental photographs, a biography of Ruth, and a plaque that reads: "Babe Ruth, 1895-1948, Great Baseball Legend." Overall size 20½ x 20½." A sports prize.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.

Lot 834
[Sagebrush Stars].
Signed Photographs of Hollywood Cowboys. Nine Black & White, 8 x 10" photographs of famous western stars from television and the silver screen. Includes a photograph of John Hart as the "Lone Ranger," inscribed, "To my very nice friend Mary Bailey: Sincere best wishes John Hart 'The Lone Ranger.'"; an 8 x 10" printed montage of the principal cast of Television's The Lone Ranger, signed by Clayton Moore; a beaming headshot of Rex Allen; a portrait with horses of Monte Hall; a grizzly headshot of Jack Elam; a two-fisted TV still of character actor Pat Buttiam; a scowling headshot of Yakima Canutt; and two western images of actor Harry Carey, Jr. Fine. Most of the photographs are inscribed as well as signed in full.
Estimated Value $150-250.

Scarce Illustrated John Singer Sargent Letter

Lot 835
Sargent, John Singer. (1856-1925) American artist.

Autograph Letter Signed. Two pages, Octavo, on imprinted addressed letterhead, Chelsea, London, n.d.
Rare illustrated letter from the important American painter John Singer Sargent, who writes on the first page:

"Here it is, my dear Duchess, the image of his father.
Yours to command,

John S. Sargent."

On the verso page the artist has sketched a comical image of a featureless Elizabethan page boy holding a train.

Fine. This letter has been published in Charles Hamilton's The Illustrated Letter, where it appears on page 93.
Estimated Value $2,500-UP.

Lot 836
[Scholars, Educators, Editors, et al.].
Lot of Five Matted Cut Signatures. Five cut signatures, most 11 x 14", dated from the mid-nineteenth century, mounted on mat boards with steel engravings. Includes Horace Greeley (1868); the editor Josiah Gilbert Holland (n.d.); the pioneering historian Jared Sparks, editor of Washington's papers (n.d.); Charles W. Eliot, President of Harvard University (1871); and more. Fine.
Estimated Value $100-150.
From the Gerald Burg collection.

Lot 837
[Screen Sirens].
Five Signed Photographs of Celluloid Bombshells. Five Black & White, 8 x 10" Signed Photographs of the women we crane our necks at on screen, including Heddy Lamar, Greer Garson, Jane Wyman, Eleanor Holm, and Clare Luce (whose signature is matted and appears on a printed photograph). Each of the starlets has signed in full in indelible ink. Fine.
Estimated Value $125-250.

Lot 838
[Senators and Congressmen].
Lot of Nine Typed Letters Signed by US Senators and Political Leaders. Political group consisting of nine typed letters signed by Modern American political players, with dated ranging 1944 - 1979. Includes letters bottom right Governor Edmund Brown, Secretary of State Cordell Hull, Congressman Joseph Kimmit, Governor Dan Thornton, Senator George Murphy, State Senator David Roberti, Assemblyman Herschel Rosenthal, and a letter and inscribed Congressional Card from Congresswomen Charlette Reid. Also included is a US Senate Chamber Card signed by Henry M. Jackson, and a multiply signed US Senate Restaurant Menu signed by Senator J. Randolph and other government figures circa 1965. Fine. All items are in fine condition, and on official imprinted letterhead.
Estimated Value $75-150.

Lot 839
Serling, Rod. (1924-1975) American entertainer, creator of The Twilight Zone.

Typed Letter Signed. One page, Quarto, on personal letterhead, Pacific Palisades, California, June 6, 1966. To Rabbi Maxwell Dubin. Interesting letter reneging on an invitation to speak on a forum, occasioned by last minute changes in the production of a play of Serling's that had been planned for New York but must be transplanted to London. Serling writes, in part:

" ...Early this morning I received a call from New York indicative of some new planning on my play production. It appears now that its initial performance will be done in London and to that end I now have to make plans for a departure for Europe late in the Fall for an indeterminate period of time. I seriously doubt if it would be realistic for me to make the commitment to you for your forum when my own plans seem so totally up in the air. It would appear that there is every likelihood I would have to renege at a sufficiently late hour to both embarrass and inconvenience you ...".

Very Fine. Boldly signed in full, "Rod Serling.".
Estimated Value $150-250.
From the Gerald Burg collection.

George Bernard Shaw Signs an Agreement To Publish His Correspondence With Actress Ellen Terry

Lot 840
Shaw, George Bernard. (1856-1950) British novelist and playwright, awarded 1935 Nobel Prize for Literature.

Typed Document Signed Twice. Three pages, large legal Folio on heavy bond, London, February 28, 1931. Being a contract, entitled "Agreement - Terry Shaw Correspondence - Limited Edition," authorizing the publication of the letters between Shaw and the famous actress Ellen Terry. This contract, involving the publishing firm Fountain Press of New York, Elbridge Adams (the owner of the rights to Terry's letters), Shaw and the publishing firm of Constable and Co. of London, is a "Memorandum Agreement" appending two previous agreements assigning the copyrights involved in the publication of this volume. Both of these earlier agreements, signed by Terry's daughter Edith Craig, are also included in this lot. The first is a six page TDS dated April 23, 1930, the second a three page TDS dated February 28, 1931. Neither of theses earlier agreements are signed by Shaw.

The publication of the correspondence between Shaw and Eleanor Terry had a difficult birth, evidently due to the ownership of the copyrights to Ellen Terry's letters. When these wrinkles were ironed out, it was agreed that the book would be issued in a limited edition, partly at Shaw's own expense, with the type being destroyed after the manufacture of 3050 copies. Ellen Terry appeared in several of Shaw's plays and was one of his great loves, although the romance was conducted primarily through letters. Fine.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.

Lot 841
[Sheet Music].
Six Pieces of Inscribed Sheet Music Signed. Six pieces of sheet music of 20th-century popular songs, most 9 x 12" , n.d, including the music forEternally, by Sammy Cahn and Allen Rabin, signed "Al Rabin"; the sheet music for You Don't Bring Me Flowers, words by Neil Diamond, Marilyn and Alan Bergman, inscribed "All the best - Alan & Marilyn Bergman"; sheet music for The End Of The Road, written and composed by William Dillon and Harry Lauder, signed by Lauder below an original caricature; sheet music for the song You Are Love, words by Homer Cloud, music by Mary Downey, signed and inscribed by the composer (torn at top center); the sheet music for Sing Me A Song of Hawaii, by Johnny Nobel, signed and inscribed by the composer; and an early Autograph Musical Manuscript Signed by Anthony Reiff ("Reiff"), August 15, 1894, being the score for the song The Matinee Girl.

Also included in this lot is a miniature tam-o'-shanter signed on its label by "Harry Lauder." Condition ranges from Very Good to Fine.
Estimated Value $150-250.
From the Gerald Burg collection.

Lot 842
Shostakovich, Dimitry. (1906-1975) Russian composer of symphonies, ballets, operas, concertos, and choral works, whose work was initially successful, then denounced by the Soviet government for infidelity to Soviet "realism," and later embraced.

Typed Outline For a Film Score Signed. Two pages, Quarto, in Russian, n.p., January 13, 1960. Fascinating typed manuscript in which the composer discusses a proposed composition for a film score. He writes, in part:

"...The music for the film would be built around four themes...The first is the theme of the paintings. Second is the theme of the Soviet soldiers in their search to recover stolen cultural treasures. The third theme will deal with the role of the German painter Paul Nauman and his wife. The fourth theme will concern the role of German Communist Eric Braun. Combined these four themes provide enough depth for a satisfactory movie sound track. Composition will be difficult. The fourth theme should be a march close to themes of German revolutionary songs..."

Signed and dated in purple ink at bottom of second page. Right edges of both first and second page somewhat ragged, with a minor clip stain and small hole at top left. Still, a fascinating, valuable document in very good condition.


Estimated Value $300-500.

Lot 843
[Show Biz!].
Lot of Six Show Business Keepsakes .

A. Three Unusual George Gershwin First Day "Covers." Two large format, 8 x 10", first day issue mailers, both postmarked Beverly Hills, California, February 28, 1973, one being a single page color facsimile of the cover to the sheet music for Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess", the other being a Black & White photograph of the composer seated at the piano. Also includes a first day cover with the same postmark commemorating "George Gershwin, American Composer," signed by his lyricist brother, "Ira Gershwin." All three items bear commemorative George Gershwin postage stamps.

B. Annotated Script for an Episode of "Mork and Mindy" Signed. Multicopy Typed Manuscript Signed, nine pages, single-sided, titled "Revised Pages - 'Mindy and Mork,'" dated February 18, 1981. Pagination numbered 14 - 25. Being the heavily annotated revised script for Act One and Act Two of an episode of Mork & Mindy, with detailed notes introducing stage business and dialog changes, inscribed and signed on the front page by the shows two stars Robin Williams and Pam Dawber.

C. Inscribed Photograph Signed by Tommy Tune. Color, 5 x 8", n.d., on heavy cardstock, inscribed "Just for Doris Tommy Tune," with a flamboyant musical paraph. Slightly creased at bottom right, otherwise fine.

D. Autograph Album. Autograph book with cloth covers and a locking brass clasp, containing twenty-seven autographs and signed inscriptions, most from entertainers, including Lou Costello, Ann Blyth, Johnny Boyle, Lena Horne, Amos and Andy, Richard Lane Roy Hodsell Anita Louise, Joan Benny and many more. Though the album itself is somewhat worn, and has a small tear above its hasp, all of the signatures within are in fine condition. Fine.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 844
[Show Biz!]. Two Typed Letters Signed by Eddie Cantor and One by Sammy Davis Jr.

A. Typed Letter Signed by Eddie Cantor. One page, Quarto, on imprinted personal letterhead, n.p., May 7, 1937. Jocose thank you letter to the rabbi who officiated at the wedding of one of Cantor's daughters. "...The ceremony as you performed it was again concrete evidence of your good judgement. As you know, there is still plenty of business for you to be had from the Cantor family. However, with four left, I think I am entitled to a rate..." Signed "Eddie."

B. Typed Letter Signed by Sammy Davis Jr. One page, Quarto, on imprinted personal letterhead, [Los Angeles, California], May 2, 1977. To Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, congratulating the mayor on his re-election to office. The entertainer regretfully refuses an invitation to serve on an unspecified committee but extends his heart-felt regards. Signed in full, "Sammy Davis Jr." Staple marks at upper left, else fine. Accompanied by original transmittal cover on matching stationery.

C. Typed Letter Signed by Eddie Cantor. One page, Quarto, on imprinted personal letterhead, n.p., January 25, 1949. Interesting letter to Rabbi E.F. Magnin of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple on the issue of Palestine and the State of Israel. Cantor writes, in part: "...You might have misinterpreted the paragraph in the letter which I wrote to you about Palestine. I could not tell how interested you were in the State of Israel because of what I heard you say at the Temple during the holidays. This is something I'd like to discuss with you, and as soon as it is convenient, by all means let's sit down and have lunch...Affectionately, Eddie." A few occasional stains in margins, not affecting text, else fine. Staple mark at upper left. Condition is Fine unless otherwise noted.
Estimated Value $250-350.
From the Gerald Burg collection.

Lot 845
[Signed Film & Television Scripts].
Five Original Signed Scripts from popular film and television productions of the early 1990s, including an original script for the Universal Pictures film, "Beethoven's 2nd," signed on the cover sheet by producer Ivan Reitman; a continuity script for an episode of the Emmy Award-winning television show "Jim Henson's Muppet Babies" in storyboard form, signed on the cover sheet by the entire cast of voice-over actors; two scripts from episodes of television's frothy mainstay, "General Hospital," signed on the cover sheet by the entire cast of principals; and a facsimile of script from an early "Our Gang" episode, "Football Romeo, " dated August 31, 1938, from the Golden Age of television. Signed on the Cover Sheet by one of the show's original members, Tommy Bond, the actor who portrayed Butch. The actor has inscribed: "To Gerry - You are a great human being! Your Pal Tommy 'Butch' Bond." . Fine.
Estimated Value $200-UP.
From the Gerald Burg collection.

Lot 846
[Signed Photographs of World Leaders].
Four Signed Color Photographs of World Political Leaders. Four color portraits, most 4 x 6" or 5 x 8", of World Leaders from the political stage, including Bishop Desmond Tutu, Israeli leader Yitzak Shamir("Shamir"), a festooned Prince Rainier of Monaco, and Nobel laureate Shimon Peres. Fine. All signatures are in full unless otherwise indicated, each boldly signed.
Estimated Value $175-250.

Lot 847
Silverheels, Jay. American entertainer, best known for his role as "Tonto" on "The Lone Ranger".

Application Form To The American Federation of Television And Radio Artists Signed. Partially Printed Document Accomplished in Manuscript, Two pages, recto/verso, Los Angeles, California, January 31, 1964. An application to AFTRA, signed and completed by Jay Silverheels, who portrayed the laconic side kick "Tonto" in the popular series, "The Lone Ranger." Never at a loss for words, the unflappable professional lists his occupation as "Actor." Signed twice in full at the bottom of the first page. Fine.
Estimated Value $350-400.

Lot 848
[Singer Sewing Machines].
Printed Singer Company Bill Head Signed by Inventor James Bolton. One page, Octavo, with elaborate bill head, "The Singer Manufacturing Company, Broadway, New York," July 15, 1870. Being an order form for " 5 throats like sample enclosed," with two hand drawings of the sewing machine throats requested, signed by the inventor of the New Family Sewing Machine, James Bolton. Docketed in purple ink, with traces of mounting paper along the left verso edge, else fine.
Estimated Value $125-UP.

Lot 849
[Singing in the Rain].
Three Inscribed Photographs Signed. Three Glossy Black & White Signed Photographs of all of the principal cast members of the glorious MGM Musical, "Singing in the Rain." Includes a 5 x 7" portrait of Gene Kelly, inscribed "Good Luck Gene Kelly" (with a cartoon bouquet sketched after the word "Luck"); an 8 x 10" studio portrait of funnyman Donald O'Connor, inscribed "To Evelyn - Always - Donald O'Connor 92"; and a glamorous headshot portrait of Debbie Reynolds in an evening gown, inscribed "Happiness Always Debbie Reynolds." The Kelly photograph bears some marginal soiling; otherwise the group is in fine condition.
Estimated Value $75-150.

Lot 850
Stanley, Sir Henry M. (1841-1904) British explorer and journalist.

Cut Signature. Pencil signature, approximately 2½ x 4½", mounted to a larger leaf removed from an Autograph album. Stanley has signed and dated the leaf.

"Henry M. Stanley
1/86 Dec. 4 N Y."

Light soiling throughout, otherwise fine. Accompanied by a steel engraving of the intrepid explorer.
Estimated Value $150-200.