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Classic Entertainment
In-person signed portrait of Brando from On the Waterfront
758. Marlon Brando Signed
Photograph. Vintage glossy 10 x 8 Columbia Pictures publicity photo of Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint in the 1954 film On the Waterfront, signed in black ink by Brando. In very good to fine condition, with scattered light creasing, and tack holes to the upper corners. Accompanied by a vintage glossy 5 x 3.5 candid photo of Brando taken at the time of signing. Photos of Brando in his iconic Oscar-winning role as dockworker Terry Malloy are scarce and highly sought after, with this example further elevated by its rock-solid 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. Starting Bid $200
photo of Marlon Brando in his prime, signed in black ink. Lower portion bears a white facsimile signature. In very good to fine condition, with light surface scuffing, and a stain to the right of Brando’s mouth. Accompanied by a copy of a letter of provenance from the original recipient, Sondra McLean, who vacationed in LA during the summers of 1954, 1955, and 1956, and used the majority of her weekdays staking out the MGM studio parking lot for the arrival and departure of Hollywood celebrities. Starting Bid $200
Uninscribed 8 x 10 portrait of James Dean, signed one month before his death
761. James Dean Signed Photograph. Vintage glossy 8 x 10 photo of a sketch of James Dean by artist Ray Lucas, which shows the actor shirtless and holding a cigarette, signed nicely by Dean in green ink. In fine condition, with a stain to the upper right corner. The consignor notes that she obtained this signature in late August 1955, approximately one month before Dean’s untimely death. A hugely desirable uninscribed portrayal of one of Hollywood’s most iconic leading men, tragically signed in the unforeseen twilight of his budding career.
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. Starting Bid $1000
762. Judy Garland Signed Cast Sheet for Little Nellie Kelly. Cast
sheet for the MGM musical comedy Little Nellie Kelly, one page, both sides, 8 x 10.75, identified as Picture No. 1153, with July 29, 1940 start date and September 19, 1940 finish date, signed on the front and back in various ink types by 19 members of the cast and crew: Judy Garland, George Murphy, Charles Winninger, Douglas McPhail, Henry Blair, Jack McGowan, Arthur Freed, Ray June, Jim Brock, George Elder, Harry McAfee, Larry Keethe, and more. In fine condition, with clear tape along one edge. Starting Bid $200
Beautiful close-up of Vivien Leigh as Gone With the Wind’s Scarlett O’Hara
763. Gone with the Wind: Vivien Leigh.
Splendid vintage glossy 7.75 x 9.5 photo of Vivien Leigh in her iconic role as Scarlett O’Hara in the 1939 classic Gone With the Wind, boldly signed at the bottom in black felt tip. Reverse bears an affixed caption. In very good to fine condition, with trimmed edges and scattered light creasing. Starting Bid $200
Extremely early 1951 portrait of Audrey Hepburn, signed before her first starring role
glossy 6.5 x 7.5 photo of the young Audrey Hepburn in an attractive head-and-shoulders pose, boldly signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Marcel, my favorite ‘Star,’ wishing you the best in this wide world, Love, Audrey, 1951.” Reverse bears Associated British Picture Corporation Ltd. credit stamps. In very good to fine condition, with trimmed edges (slightly cropping the “t” in “Best”) and light surface scuffing. It was not until 1953’s Roman Holiday that Hepburn found her first starring role, making this a very early portrait of the aspiring star. Starting Bid $200
765. Harry Houdini Autograph Letter Signed. Rare ALS in pencil, signed
“Houdini,” one page, 5.25 x 8.5, Adams House letterhead, July 8, 1925. Handwritten letter “to the only Mrs. Houdini,” his wife Bess, in full: “Sweetheart Mine—no ink in room here but all my love could not be told with all ink in world—missed train—Sawyer told me wrong time & I lost ticket. Am off to Somerville to see spiritualist…then to A. E. Fay. Kilby with me.” He adds a postscript, “Yours and yours alone!” In fine condition, with intersecting folds.
The reference to “Sawyer” is likely Bess’s niece Julia Sawyer, who worked as an assistant to Houdini both onstage and off. “Kilby” is Houdini’s friend and fellow theatre collector, Quincy Kilby. He concludes with a reference to Anna Eva Fay, the famous medium who lived in Melrose, Massachusetts. In his later years, Houdini dedicated a significant amount of time and effort to debunking the claims of spiritualists, psychics, and mediums by exposing their fraudulent methods. Starting Bid $200
766. Steve McQueen Signed Check. Personal check,
6 x 2.75, filled out and signed by McQueen, “Steven T. McQueen,” payable to the Cal Club for $25, no date. Upper right is marked in red pencil: “586 Racing Cars.” Mounted, matted, and framed with a photo of McQueen from The Great Escape to an overall size of 12.5 x 19. In fine condition, with some light creasing. A particularly desirable signed check given that McQueen was an avid motorcycle and race car enthusiast who routinely performed his own driving stunts. Starting Bid $200 767. Natacha Rambova Signed Photograph. Ballerina,
set designer, costume designer, and actress (1897–1966) who was the second wife of Rudolph Valentino. She exhibited such control over his films that Paramount barred her from her husband’s sets; they divorced shortly afterward. Vintage matte-finish 8 x 10 profile portrait of Rambova by photographer Russell Ball, signed neatly in fountain pen, “Most sincerely, Natacha Rambova.” In fine to very fine condition. Starting Bid $200
770. Three Stooges Document Signed.
DS, five pages, 8.5 x 11, February 15, 1961. Agreement between the Three Stooges and Chanford Productions concerning royalties for a soundtrack album for “the motion picture tentatively entitled ‘Snow White and the Three Stooges.’” Signed on the fourth page in ballpoint by Howard, “Moe Howard, President,” and on the next page by all three, “Moe Howard,” “Joe DeRita,” and “Larry Fine.” Includes the original blue legal folder. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
768. Elizabeth Taylor Signed Photograph. Gorgeous
vintage matte-finish 8 x 10 portrait of Taylor in a lovely headand-shoulders pose, signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint, “To Harry Dragan, Best wishes to you always, Elizabeth Taylor.” In fine to very fine condition, with a crease to the upper left corner tip. Starting Bid $200 771. Rudolph Valentino Signed Photograph. Dashing
vintage glossy 8 x 10 lightweight portrait of Rudolph Valentino with an open shirt, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Mrs. Elinore Sayre, with best wishes, R. Valentino.” The photo was originally taken by Maurice Goldberg of New York. In very good to fine condition, with edge rippling, scattered creasing and soiling, and a tear to the right border. The recipient was the daughter of J. Willis Sayre, a notable journalist and arts critic in the Seattle area during the first half of the 20th century. Starting Bid $200
769. Elizabeth Taylor Signed Photograph. Vintage
matte-finish 7.5 x 9.5 photo of Taylor in an attractive bust-length pose, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Eddy, Best wishes, Elizabeth Taylor.” In fine condition, with a very light stain touching the corner of Taylor’s mouth. Consignor notes that the autograph was obtained by a doorman at London’s Dorchester Hotel. Starting Bid $200 772. John Wayne Signed Photograph. Vintage matte-
finish 8 x 10 full-length photo of John Wayne walking with Pal the rough collie during the 1953 film Hondo, signed and inscribed in black ballpoint, “Good Luck, Leslie, John Wayne.” Double-matted and framed to an overall size of 14 x 16. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
