15 minute read
Classic Entertainment
Over 200 of Hollywood’s iconic stars, including and more
933. Actors and Actresses Collection of (200+)
Autographs. Superlative collection of over 200 signatures of classic Hollywood actors and actresses, with the majority contained within a group of four vintage autograph albums, each 6.25 x 4.75, and the balance consisting of numerous loose formats such as photographs (ranging in size from 3.5 x 3.5 to 8 x 10), slips, sheets, and programs. Highlights include: Natalie Wood, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Lorre, John Ford, Cole Porter, Dean Martin, Donna Reed, Thomas Mitchell, Pier Angeli, Desi Arnaz, Lena Horne, James Cagney, Buster Crabbe, John Carradine, Vincent Price, Charlton Heston, and many more. In overall fine condition. Includes a collection of over 130 vintage glossy candid photos, 3.5 x 3.5 to 5 x 3.5, each depicting an actor or actress at the time of signing. An exceptional assortment of classic Hollywood signatures boasted by an array of unique candid portraits.
Accompanied by a copy of a letter of provenance from the original recipient, Sondra McLean, who as a teenager collected celebrity signatures in the MGM parking lot during the summers of 1954, 1955, and 1956. Starting Bid $200
Rare early portrait of Floyd the barber
Rare Belushi photo inscribed to an Animal House extra
934. The Andy Griffith Show: Howard McNear Signed Photograph.
Scarce vintage pearl-finish 6 x 8 photo of McNear early into his career, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “Always the best, for my friend, Alberto, Sincerely, Howard McNear.” Lower portion signed in white ink by a Sykes Studio photographer. In fine condition, with trimmed edges, and a thin stain along the bottom edge. McNear remains elusive across all signed formats, and photos signed by him are virtually nonexistent. This particularly early example shows the actor decades before his memorable stint as chatty barber Floyd Lawson on The Andy Griffith Show—just the 2nd signed photo of McNear we have ever offered. Starting Bid $200
935. John Belushi Signed Photograph. Glossy 10 x 8 close-up photo of Belushi looking into the camera, signed and inscribed in black felt tip, “Marianne, Love, John Belushi.” In fine condition, with tiny tack holes to the top corners.
Accompanied by a letter of provenance from the recipient, Marianne Morino, an extra in the 1978 comedy National Lampoon’s Animal House, in part: “Belushi took to me. After-hours dining...allowed me to share the Hollywood stories my great aunt had told me of the most amazing Silent Era comedians...Mr. Belushi listened intently…he was fascinated by those first batch of Silent Era comedians.” Starting Bid $300
Excellent in-person signed portrait of Brando
936. Marlon Brando Signed Photograph. Vin-
tage glossy 8 x 10 studio photo of Brando from circa 1948, signed and inscribed in black ink, “To Sondra, Marlon Brando.” In fine condition, with a stain and emulsion loss to the upper right corner. Accompanied by a vintage glossy 5 x 3.5 photo of Brando taken at the time of signing and posing warmly with the recipient. A wonderful and boldly signed portrait of the brooding character actor backed by exceptional visual provenance.
Accompanied by a copy of a letter of provenance from the original recipient, Sondra McLean, who as a teenager traveled by train from her hometown in Canada to Los Angeles, California, where she spent two-month-long vacations in the summers of 1954, 1955, and 1956. While staying with her cousin, whose residence was within walking distance from MGM Studios, McLean used the majority of her weekdays staking out the studio parking lot for the arrival and departure of Hollywood celebrities. McLean’s decision to photograph each movie star at the time of their signing elevates her collection into top-tier status. Starting Bid $200
937. Marlon Brando Signature. Vintage ink signature,
“Marlon Brando,” on an off-white 6 x 3 sheet. In very fine condition. Clean, legible, and well-centered—Brando autographs simply don’t get any better. Includes a vintage glossy 5 x 3.5 candid photo of Brando at the time of signing.
Accompanied by a copy of a letter of provenance from the original recipient, Sondra McLean, who as a teenager collected celebrity signatures in the MGM parking lot during the summers of 1954, 1955, and 1956. Starting Bid $200
Coveted studio portrait of Dean with photographic evidence of signing, one month before his tragic passing
938. James Dean Signed Photograph. Vintage glossy 8 x 10 photo of Dean in a handsome studio portrait pose from circa 1953, signed and inscribed in green ink, “To Sondra, James Dean.” Lower portion bears a facsimile signature inherent to the original photograph. In very good to fine condition, with scattered creasing (and a heavier crease to the lower right), old tape residue in the borders, and a missing lower right corner tip. Accompanied by a vintage glossy 3.5 x 3.5 candid photo of Dean wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette at the time of signing, which the consignor dates to late August 1955, approximately one month before his untimely death. A brilliant signed photo of the iconic actor made all the more desirable by its unique visual provenance and its close proximity to Dean’s tragic end. Accompanied by a copy of a letter of provenance from the original recipient, Sondra McLean, who as a teenager collected celebrity signatures in the MGM parking lot during the summers of 1954, 1955, and 1956. Starting Bid $1000
939. Federico Fellini Original Sketch. Original sketch by
Federico Fellini of a distracted male tennis player about to be plunked in the head with a ball, accomplished in ballpoint on an off-white 8.75 x 11 sheet, which is signed below, “Federico.” In fine condition, with light rippling and toning. Starting Bid $200
940. W. C. Fields Signed Photograph. Vintage matte-
finish 8 x 10 half-length photo of Fields posing with a cane on his shoulder, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, with Fields adding the inscription along the cane, “To Ray Sperry, Best wishes,” and his name on his pocket square, “W. C. Fields.” In fine to very fine condition. Ray Sperry was an actor and a stand-in for child actor and classmate Freddie Bartholomew in the movies Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936), Captain Courageous (1937) and others. He later worked as a screenwriter and then for Lockheed Vega in the aerospace industry. Starting Bid $200
941. Greta Garbo Photograph by Clarence Sinclair
Bull. Lovely vintage matte-finish 10 x 13 silver gelatin photograph of Greta Garbo by acclaimed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer photographer Clarence Sinclair Bull for the 1935 film Anna Karenina. Reverse features a Bull credit stamp, which is numbered “815-X-140.” In very fine condition. Starting Bid $200
942. Greta Garbo Photograph by Clarence Sinclair
Bull. Vintage matte-finish 10 x 13 silver gelatin photograph of Greta Garbo by acclaimed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer photographer Clarence Sinclair Bull for the 1935 film Anna Karenina. Reverse features a Bull credit stamp, which is numbered “815X-139.” In very fine condition. Starting Bid $200
943. Cary Grant Signed Photograph. Vintage glossy 8 x 10.25 photo of Grant wearing a coat and trilby in a handsome up-close profile pose, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Norman! Cary Grant.” In very good to fine condition, with staining along the upper right edge. Starting Bid $200
The last will and testament of a legendary Hollywood director
944. Howard Hawks Document Signed. DS, signed
“Howard W. Hawks,” six pages, 8.5 x 13, August 18, 1948. The last will and testament of Howard Hawks, which reads, in part: “I, Howard W. Hawks, residing at 1150 Moraga Drive, in the City of Los Angeles, State of California, and being of sound and disposing mind and memory, and not acting under duress, menace, fraud, nor undue influence of any person whomsoever, do make, publish and declare this my last will and testament.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Cache of love letters from Howard Hughes to actress Billie Dove
294. Howard Hughes Collection of (13) Handwritten Letters to Actress Billie Dove. Rare collection of 13 hand-
written letters sent by Howard Hughes to his girlfriend, silent screen star Billie Dove, consisting of 19 total pages, ranging in size from 5.5 x 4.75 to 7 x 9.25, none dated but circa 1929 to 1932, with four signed as “Howard,” and the balance signed either as “Yes” or “B.” The majority of the letters are written in pencil, with Hughes addressing the salutation to either “B,” “Bum,” or “D.” Quotidian in nature, the letters offer a glimpse into the tender three-year romance shared between Hughes and Dove, with the former routinely sweet and apologetic, his hectic lifestyle a pointed strain both on their relationship and his own health and sleeping habits.
Also included with the correspondence: several pages of handwritten notes from Dove; five telegrams from Hughes to Dove, dating to 1932 and 1936; an Xmas gift tag annotated by Hughes: “For my B”; a group of four notes penned in Hughes’s hand, including: “Take a look at the teeth of all the women here to-night” and “Do you think this needs a doctor? Personally, I like it the way it is”; a typed poem entitled “I Feel like You Feel”; an unsigned typed letter from Hughes to Dove dated October 17, 1931; an original Xmas card from Hughes; a vintage matte-finish portrait of Hughes; and two original negatives of Hughes on a boat (with matching glossy photos). In overall very good to fine condition. Accompanied by numerous original mailing envelopes, as well as full letters of authenticity from PSA/DNA for all 13 of Hughes’s letters. Starting Bid $500
Stunning Hepburn portrait inscribed to the War and Peace director
945. Audrey Hepburn Oversized Photograph Signed
and Inscribed to King Vidor. Magnificent oversized vintage matte-finish 15.5 x 19.5 close-up portrait of Hepburn captured circa 1956 by War and Peace cinematographer Jack Cardiff, beautifully signed and inscribed in fountain by Hepburn to the film’s director King Vidor, “For my King, with love and and love, Audrey.” Attractively archivally double-matted and framed to an overall size of 26 x 30. In very fine condition.
Directed by King Vidor, the 1956 film War and Peace, adapted from Leo Tolstoy iconic novel, starred Audrey Hepburn in the leading role as Natasha Rostova. The acclaimed film earned Oscar nominations for Best Director, Best Cinematography (Color), and Best Costume Design (Color). It won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign-Language Film, and Hepburn and Vidor both received Golden Globe nominations for their individual contributions. As a mammoth, sharp portrait of the iconic Hollywood star inscribed to her great director, this is an absolutely unique, one-of-a-kind piece of entertainment history. Starting Bid $1000
x 5.75 photo of the beautiful actress, signed in the lower border in ink, “Audrey Hepburn.” In very good to fine condition, with areas of light scuffing to the emulsion, and some old mounting remnants on the back. Starting Bid $200
The breathtaking Grace Kelly
947. Grace Kelly Signed Photo-
graph. Vintage matte-finish 8 x 10 MGM studio portrait of Grace Kelly in glamorous closeup from behind white fur, signed nicely in black ink. Reverse bears an MGM stamp. In fine condition, with old tape stains in the borders, which could easily be matted out to create a stunning display. Includes three vintage glossy 5 x 3.5 candid photos of Kelly taken at the time of signing. A stunning uninscribed photo of the stunning Oscar-winning actress. Accompanied by a copy of a letter of provenance from the original recipient, Sondra McLean, who as a teenager traveled by train from her hometown in Canada to Los Angeles, California, where she spent two-month-long vacations in the summers of 1954, 1955, and 1956. While staying with her cousin, whose residence was within walking distance from MGM Studios, McLean used the majority of her weekdays staking out the studio parking lot for the arrival and departure of Hollywood celebrities. McLean’s decision to photograph each movie star at the time of their signing elevates her collection into top-tier status. Starting Bid $200
948. Laurel and Hardy Document Signed.
DS, signed “Stan Laurel” and “Oliver Hardy,” two pages, 8.5 x 11, May 15, 1944. Letter referencing an amended contract between Laurel and Hardy Feature Productions and the Twentieth CenturyFox Film Corporation, which relates to Laurel and Hardy’s availability for a second motion picture, as well as the timeframes of their contractual obligations. Signed twice at the conclusion by Laurel, and once by Hardy. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Stunning oversized Lombard portrait inscribed to Barron Polan
949. Carole Lombard Signed Oversized Photograph.
Captivating vintage matte-finish 11 x 14 photo of Lombard posing against a wall during a 1939 photo shoot, signed and inscribed in green fountain pen to Barron Polan (assistant to The Wizard of Oz producer Mervyn LeRoy), “To Barron, wishing the very best always, Carole.” In very good to fine condition, with silvering to some of the darker areas of the image. Starting Bid $200
“From your lonesome and loving Groucho”
950. Groucho Marx Typed Letter Signed. TLS signed
in pencil as “Groucho,” one page, 8.5 x 11, circa 1930s. Letter to his family, “Svenskie, Arthur, Miriam and Mother,” in part: “To night I have the glooms, and the best way to chase them is to write you all a letter. I am up again after three days in bed and two in the house, and don’t feel particularly good...I am afraid the life of a carefree bachelor is a little too much for one of my sedentary disposition and temperament, and I yearn for the fireplace and slippers and its attendant joys.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
951. David O. Selznick Signed Photograph. Vintage
matte-finish 7.75 x 9.75 photo of Selznick on set, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “For Frances! The face she tolerated with such graciousness and charm, for such a long time! David O. Selznick.” Affixed to a larger mount, and double-matted to an overall size of 14 x 18. In fine condition, with light contrast to the inscription against the dark image. Starting Bid $200 952. Star Wars Signed Oversized Photograph. Color
satin-finish 11 x 14 photo of the main cast from Return of the Jedi, signed in blue felt tip by Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, who adds “C-3PO,” Kenny Baker, who adds “R2-D2,” and Peter Mayhew, who adds “Chewbacca,” and in silver ink by Mark Hamill. In fine condition, with slight evidence of a possibly-removed Hamill inscription. Starting Bid $200
x 10 photo of the classic leading lady early into her career, signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint, “To Sondra, Elizabeth Taylor.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered creasing, heaviest to the lower corners. Accompanied by a vintage glossy 5 x 3.5 candid photo of Taylor taken at the time of signing.
Accompanied by a copy of a letter of provenance from the original recipient, Sondra McLean, who as a teenager collected celebrity signatures in the MGM parking lot during the summers of 1954, 1955, and 1956. Starting Bid $200
953. Glenn Strange Signed Photograph. Original
glossy 10 x 8 promo still featuring Strange as Frankenstein’s Monster in the 1945 Universal horror film House of Dracula, signed in black felt tip by Glenn Strange. In fine condition, with scattered light creasing. Starting Bid $200 956. John Wayne Signed Photograph. Simply ideal
vintage glossy 7.75 x 9.75 studio photo of a young John Wayne dressed in Western attire and holding a cigarette, signed and inscribed in blue fountain pen, “Good luck, Johnny, John Wayne.” Attractively cloth-matted and framed with distressed wood to an overall size of 18.25 x 20. In very good to fine condition, with scattered creasing, including a diagonal crease passing through Wayne’s jaw line. Starting Bid $200
955. Titanic Movie Prop Life Jacket. Beige
fabric life jacket used as a prop in the epic Oscarwinning 1997 film Titanic, measuring 26.5″ in length and 15.5″ in width, with four cloth ties and the front and back both featuring a set of six flotation squares. Includes the original shipping box. In fine condition. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Twentieth Century Fox, marked in ink, “Life Jacket, Used in sinking scenes,” and stating: “This certifies that this motion picture prop is one of a limited number of authentic props created for the theatrical motion picture TITANIC directed by James Cameron.” Starting Bid $200
