The June 2-5, 2002, Pre-Long Beach Sale, Sale 14
Lot 1699
Bara, Theda
(1889-1955). After her enormous success as The Vampire in A Fool There
Was (1915), Bara was one of Hollywood's hottest properties. Billed as the
daughter of an Arab princess, Cincinnati-born Theodosia Goodman was
photographed with snakes and skulls and starred in a series of movies which
took advantage of her exotic reputation. Bara made her last film in 1926, after
which she unsuccessfully tried to return to the stage -- she was forever
branded Hollywood's Vamp.
Signed Photograph ("Theda Bara").
Graytone profile portrait, 5 x 7", n.p., "1916". Photograph by National,
New York. Faint crease diagonally across portrait; tip of top right corner is
folded; one penciled price at top margin; incidental soil and pencil remarks
verso; minor silvering at edges. Overall, very good to fine.
A
beautiful, if relatively sedate, Bara poses without snakes or skulls. A lovely,
rare image signed as her career was beginning to take off.
Estimated Value
$200-300.
Lot 1700
Chevalier, Maurice
(1888-1972) French-born singer, actor and all-around entertainer. Starting
his career early, a young Chevalier worked as a circus acrobat, moving on to
the stage and early movies. After World War I, Chevalier returned to the stage
and film, making his first Hollywood musical, Innocents of Paris in
1929. Chevalier earned an honorary Oscar in 1958 and continued to entertain
until the time of his death.
Signature ("Maurice Chevalier").
n.p., n.d. Signature and inscription "Very good -- Bravo!" appear
beneath a charming Rosen caricature of Chevalier. Matted and framed with a
black and white portrait of Chevalier and a small plaque, overall size is 24 x
20". There is very minor, very faint soil on the caricature's surface that is
noticeable only on close examination. Very good to near fine condition -- a
nice display piece.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 1701
Fellini, Federico
(1920-1994). Italian film director known for his rich, complex, sometimes
fantastic movies. An inspiration to generations of film makers.
Signed
Photograph ("Federico Fellini"). Black and white, 5¾ x 4",
"Roma 78". Date at top right corner, inscription "To Danny / good
luck" and signature on light collar of Fellini's coat. Apparently when
originally mailed, the photo stuck to the envelope adhesive, as there are areas
of paper residue on the face of the photograph, although the "a" of
"Roma" is the only affected text. Overall, very good
condition.
The master at work behind the camera, intent on a shot --
despite the minor damage to the surface, this is a great photo.
Estimated
Value $75-150.
Lot 1702
Harburg, Edgar Y. (Yip)
(1896-1981) American lyricist, he penned the words to over 537 songs,
including "Brother can you spare a dime?", "Lydia the Tatooed Lady", "April in
Paris", "It's Only A Paper Moon" and, of course, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".
Signed Program ("E.Y. Harburg"). 5 x 8½" printed program
for the UCLA Department of Music's April 1979 presentation of "Look to the
Rainbow: A Lyrical Autobiography of E.Y. Harburg". Mounted and framed with a
small newspaper portrait of Harburg at work, overall size: 17 x 16". The
program appears to be in fine condition.
A very nice memento from one of
the most prolific songwriters of the 20th century.
Estimated Value
$100-150.
Lot 1703
Karloff, Boris
(1887-1969) English-born actor who rose to world-wide fame with
Frankenstein (Universal, 1931). Karloff's unforgettable, nuanced
performance and the success of the film secured his position in pantheon of
horror movie greats. When the popularity of the horror film waned, Karloff
returned to the stage (earning a Tony nomination for his role in "The Lark").
Document Signed ("Boris Karloff"). Two pages, long quarto, New
York, October 25, 1945. Partially printed, accomplished in typescript. On
onion-skin paper. Signed in green ink. Being a contract between Karloff and CBS
Radio. Horizontal fold; staple holes and small spot at top right. Overall, fine
condition.
Karloff had an extremely successful radio career - his
distinctive voice and gift for characterization made him very popular. He
served as host for one or another mystery program on CBS Radio for many
years.
Karloff fans should be sure to take a look at the great poster
for British Intelligence featured below!
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 1704
Monroe, Marilyn
(1926-1962) Although she only made 30 movies, Monroe is the most
recognizable movie star of the 20th century -- an icon of Hollywood glamour and
tragedy.
Document Signed ("Marilyn Monroe") 16 pages, quarto,
Los Angeles, May 1, 1951. Countersigned by Notary Public Marion Lee and Fox
Studio Treasurer. Approval stamp initialed to left of signatures. File holes at
left edge, typescript fading but signatures remain strong.
20th Century
Fox had signed Monroe to a one year contract in 1946, but let it lapse. Monroe
went on to do work for Columbia, appearing most notably in Asphalt
Jungle. Monroe's performances in Jungle and All About Eve
reinvigorated Fox' interest and, in 1951, she signed a seven-year contract with
the studio -- the contract offered here. This is an in-depth agreement,
featuring a payscale mandating yearly pay increases (from $500 a week the first
year to $3500 the seventh) and elaborate legalese about availability and
numerous other aspects of employment. Fox got a bargain with this contract --
the third year of the agreement, when Marilyn was set to make $1250 a week, the
studio released Niagara, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to
Marry a Millionaire -- arguably Monroe's most memorable films. This is a
fabulous piece of Hollywood history.
Estimated Value $5,000-UP.
Lot 1705
Reiner, Carl and Brooks,
Mel. Record Album Signed ("Carl Reiner" and "Mel Brooks").
2000 Years With Carl Reiner & Mel Brooks, signed by both men next to
their portraits on the cover. This 1960 album features one of the great comedy
routines of the 1960s, a favorite bit of modern comedians like Whoopi Goldberg
and Billy Crystal, and is signed by the two players. The album cover is worn at
the edges and there is some splitting of the seams, but the front cover, aside
from some minor surface soil, is in very good condition; the album is included.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 1706
Velez, Lupe
(1908-1944). "The Mexican Spitfire", Velez is remembered as much for her
messy suicide and complicated personal life as her spirited comic talents and
sexy screen persona.
Signed Photograph ("Lupe Velez"). Black and
white, 5 x 7", n.p., n.d. Inscribed and signed in green (faded blue?) ink:
"To Ila happiness and good luck always". Very minor soil; erased comment
in bottom margin; erased comments verso. Overall, very good to fine condition.
A gorgeous photo with a personalized inscription, very desirable in
spite of the possible ink fade.
Estimated Value $50-100.
Lot 1707
Hollywood Autograph Book.
Leather autograph book of Marco Wolff, Jr., featuring 45 signatures (with
some inscriptions) from movie greats of the 1940s. The son of Marco Wolff, Sr.,
a popular choreographer, vaudeville and movie producer, Wolff the younger had
plenty of opportunities to collect signatures. With a leather cover and gilded
pages, this is a charming offering with a wonderful Hollywood
pedigree.
Highlights include: Anna May Wong, John Wayne,
Gary Cooper, Keenan Wynn, John Garfield, Joel
McCrea, Laraine Day, Marlene Dietrich, Danny Kaye,
Red Skelton, James Cagney, Paulette Goddard, Jack
Benny, Dennis Morgan, Fred Astaire and Johnny
Weismuller. Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball share a page and Arthur
Treacher appears on the recto of John Garfield's signature, but the other
signatures appear one to a page. Gary Cooper and a few other signatures are
tipped in, including "Randy Scott", Nelson Eddy and Roddy McDowall. Several
inscriptions refer to the older Wolff, others wish Wolff Jr., well.
The
binding is somewhat loose, there is scuffing and wear to the edges of the book
and there is minor toning to the edges of a few pages, but the overall
condition of this book and the signatures is very good.
Estimated Value
$1,000-1,500.
Lot 1708
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. Most of the photographs are inscribed
as well as signed in full.
Estimated Value $150-250.