Large format signed photograph of the American-born French entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist who became a symbol of the decadent Jazz Age and played a leading role in the advancement of African Americans in the arts. A luminous image of the entertainer with her hands and arms artfully placed across her bare body, vintage glossy 6.5 x 8.5 photo by Studio Piaz of Paris, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, "A Monsieur Emile Dretinier, en souvenir de Josephine Baker, Paris, 1933.” In very good to fine condition, with trimmed edges, tack holes to the corners, light silvering, and mottled foxing. Baker's response to her own nudity: 'I wasn't really naked. I simply didn't have any clothes on.'
150.
[Jazz & Song]
[Carnival of Jazz]. "Necking time...on the spacious dance floor" - Original Photograph
Original Keystone Press Photograph of a couple engaged in a passionate embrace on the floor of the Royal Albert Hall, taken during the London Carnival of Jazz in January of 1959. Press label to verso reads in part "More than 3,500 teenagers went to the Royal Albert Hall on Friday night, for the third all-night Carnival of Jazz. / It's 5:30 am, and necking time for this couple on the spacious dance floor. As the dancing goes on and on, at the Royal Albert Hall- home of the Proms." Edge wear, sizing notations to verso, overall fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Signed deluxe oversized 1962 Jazz at the Philharmonic program, signed to two interior photographs by Ella Fitzgerald, as well as by the members of the Paul Smith Trio (Paul Smith, Wilfred Middlebrooks, and Stan Levey). Interior pages separated, with tape to interior edge throughout, else fine. 26 pp. 11 x 10.25 inches (27.9 x 26 cm.). Read More...
Signed Bruno of Hollywood photograph of the American jazz vibraphonist, percussionist and bandleader, who is shown playing the vibraphone. An early photograph, ca. 1935, inscribed "Best of luck to phippie young/ Lionel Hampton". 6.5 x 8.75 inches (16 x 22 cm). Irregularly trimmed to accommodate signature, scattered surface creases, lower left corner perished, otherwise good. Read More...
Billy Holiday at Jazz at the Philharmonic, with title spelled as "Billy" on the front and "Billie" on the verso, boldly signed by Lady Day herself in blue ink on the front cover. Album includes live recordings of "Body and Soul," "Strange Fruit," "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You," "Billie's Blues," and others. 10" LP, small split on bottom seam, else fine. Read More...
Signed Changes Two LP (Atlantic SD 1678) with inscription to verso of sleeve reading "3–12–76 / Pamela I wish you everything / Charles Mingus." Jacket in very good condition, with ringwear, staining, wear to edges and corners. LP visually in good condition, with numerous scuff marks on both sides. Read More...
Signed Bruno of Hollywood NYC photograph of the Rondoliers Trio with signatures from Bass-Baritone Edmond Karlsrud, Tenor David Kennedy, and Baritone Max Mendenhall, signed additionally by the opera director and conductor "Norman Johnson" in the bottom margin. Negligible creases in corners, else fine, 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Signed program for an April 1951 performance of John Cecil Holm's (1904–1981) Gramercy Ghost at the Plymouth Theatre in Boston, signed by Churchill and Sterling along with fellow cast members Mabel Paige, Harry Townes, and Richard Waring. Light wear along spine, small fold in upper right corner, else fine, 6.25 x 9.25 inches (16 x 23.5 cm.).
White cotton handkerchief monogrammed with the legendary actress's name in blue thread, together with boldly signed TLS (August 9, 1974; 1 pp. on personal stationary) reading, in full, "Dear Tommy, / Thank you for your very nice letter and the two dollars. I am enclosing one of my monogrammed handkerchiefs that you may add to your collection. I hope you and the children will like it. / Bless you, and my very best wishes to you. / [Signature]." Handkerchief includes a gold seal that reads "RN. 16102 / All Cotton / Made in Switzerland." It is safe to assume that Tommy, a fan of Crawford's, had included $2 to cover the cost of the kerchief. Rather remarkably, Miss Crawford has elected to accept the payment. Letter 6.25 x 7 inches (15.9 x 17.8 cm.), handkerchief opened 11 x 11 inches (27.9 x 27.9 cm.).
Unusual candid doubleweight photograph of the screen legend out walking her dog. Very fine, no photographer information given. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Signed right facing bust portrait photograph of the American actor best known for his roles in Gunga Din, The Prisoner of Zenda, and Sinbad the Sailor. In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Signed photograph of the American actor and singer performing as Sir Lancelot, the role that made him famous, in Lerner & Lowe's 1960 musical Camelot. Goulet has inscribed "Good luck Al / Robert Goulet." Photographer's stamp to verso identifies photographer as Will Rapport, a theatre and dance photographer active in the Boston area, this photograph having been taken during the out of town tryout before the show opened on Broadway. Rippling to upper and lower edges, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.) Read More...
Pair of signed photographs, each bearing the signature of a Redgrave sister. Vanessa shown doing yard work in a Universal Studios promotional photograph copyright 1979, inscribed "To Paul / My very best / Vanessa Redgrave." Edgewear, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Lynn pictured alongside two unidentified men in an undated photograph inscribed "To Paul / Hooray for nostalgia— Thanks Lynn Redgrave." Light edgewear, else fine. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
164.
[Film & Theatre]
Renoir, Jean. (1894-1979). "I am up to my neck in production of a film, 'Le Caporal épinglé'" - Two Typed Letters Signed
Interesting pairs of typed letters from the French director to Professor Irma Antonetto of the Associazione Culturale Italiana, responding to invitations to speak. In the first letter (Paris, 31 August 1961; 1 pp. on A4 personal stationary), signed "Jean Renoir," he writes, in part (translated from the French), "I am up to my neck in production of a film, "Le Caporal épinglé" ["The Elusive Corporal"] and will be working on that until the spring. At that time I should in principle begin another film." In the second letter, unsigned, (3 May 1963; 1 pp. on A4 paper), Renoir reflects back on their "too short conversations in Rome," discusses participation in a conference whihc depends on an awaited reply from a producer, notes his commitment to give some courses at the University of California etc. Expected mailing folds, two holes to left margin, else fine. Read More...
Signed glossy photograph of the actress and model, one of Hollywood's leading sex symbols of the 1940's and 50's. Very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Candid photograph signed by the American actress best known for her performance opposite Cary Grant in His Girl Friday as well as for her portrayals of Mame Dennis in Auntie Mame (1958) and Rose in Gypsy (1962). Bold signature in blue ink quite smudged at the start, else fine. 3.5 x 4.75 inches (8.9 x 12.1 cm.).
Signed photograph of the married couple appearing on The Mike Douglas Show, a television talk show they guest hosted for the week of February 17, 1975. In fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.).
Group of autographs, photographs, letters, drawings and other ephemera from many important actors and actresses of the nineteenth century, including: Gabrielle Réjane (signed full-page program photograph, dated 1907); Helene Odilon (signed original pencil portrait drawing and typed letter signed with envelope, dated November 27, 1925); Ellen Terry (two signed portrait photographs and autograph note, dated Liverpool, 1902); Tilla Durieux (original caricature portrait drawing, signed by the artist, Emery Gondor); Ethel Barrymore (clipped ink signature); Eva Le Gallienne (signed bookstore receipt, dated November 24, 1970); Henry Irving (clipped ink signature, dated 1905 (?), mounted to a larger paper clipping); Alla Nazimova (clipped ink signature); Katharine Cornell (signed original program for "The Dark is Light Enough); Mrs. Beerbohm Tree [Helen Maud Holt] (original postcard photograph by the Philco Publishing Co.); Ernst Deutsch (signed and inscribed original postcard photograph by Elfi Hess); Brendan Gill (typed letter signed on The New Yorker letterhead with envelope, dated February 14, 1966); Ruth Marton, née Mühsam (collection of six signed photographs, inscribed to the German actress and writer); Adolf von Sonnenthal (autograph quotation on card, dated February 24, 1908); John Drew (clipped ink signature, signed 1896); Jean Coquelin (signed program photograph) & John Raitt (signed original program for "Man of La Mancha," dated 1979, with 8 x 10 photograph). In fine condition overall.
Vintage press photograph of the young actor and director, at the microphone for his legendary 1938 broadcast of "War of the Worlds." Welles' adaptation and narration of H. G. Wells' novel was famous for causing mass panic among listeners who believed it to be a news broadcast. Press photograph is stamped on the verso with a 1978 date, when the 1938 photograph was republished. Some wrinkling and scratches, a few light surface creases, overall in good condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.5 x 20.5 cm.)