[Theatre & Film] Chaplin, Charlie. (1889-1977) & Laurel, Stan. (1890-1965) & Lauder, Harry. (1870-1950) & Mackenzie, Alexander Campbell. (1847-1935) & Gwenn, Edmund. (1877-1959) & Whiteman, Paul. (1890-1967) & Rohmer, Sax. (1883-1959) & Caesar, Irving. (1895-1996) & Daniels, Bebe. (1901-1971) & Lyon, Ben. (1901-1979) & Lewis, Ted. (1890-1971) & Moisewitsch, Benno. (1890-1963) & Romberg, Sigmund. (1887-1951) & Sarazen, Gene. (1902-1999) & Goodrich, Edna. (1883-1972)
1920's-30's London Hippodrome Visitor's Book with Theatrical Autographs - INCLUDING AN ORIGINAL SELF-PORTRAIT CARICATURE OF CHARLIE CHAPLIN
Original visitor's book from the manager's office of the London Hippodrome, containing several hundred mostly theatrical autographs dating from ca. 1924-1940. The most remarkable inscription in the volume is from the great silent film star Charlie Chaplin, who signs his autograph signature with a charming self-caricature in summer 1932. The verso of that page is signed by the great comedian Stan Laurel (dated August 1932) and the singer and actor Geoffrey Gwyther, with a short autograph musical quotation.Interestingly, the first show ever given at the London Hippodrome, in January 1900, was a music hall revue entitled "Giddy Ostend" with Charlie Chaplin, as a child, in one of his very first roles. By 1932 he was an internationally recognized film star, and had returned to London for his 1931 film City Lights. Other highlights of the collection include a full-page caricature self-portrait of Scottish music hall singer and comedian Harry Lauder (dated 1926), an autograph musical quotation ("Benedictus," 3 measures, dated May 21, 1925) from Scottish composer Sir Alexander Campbell Mackenzie, a caricature self-portrait with quotation ("Will you have another, Sax?") and signature from novelist Sax Rohmer, and signatures from actor Edmund Gwenn, American bandleader and composer Paul Whiteman, lyricist and theatre composer Irving Caesar, American actress Bebe Daniels (dated August 1, 1936), American actor Ben Lyon, entertainer and bandleader Ted Lewis (dated July 31, 1925), pianist Benno Moiseiwitsch (dated January 13, 1930), composer Sigmund Romberg, golfer Gene Sarazen (dated 1933), and actress and Floradora girl Edna Goodrich (dated June 1933). Also present are autographs from George Robey, Herman Finck, Tom Webster, Hughie Green, Paul Wightman, Margaret Bannerman, Edward Sylvester Hynes, Leslie Henson, John Hassall (with sketch), Edgar Wallace, Jack Hylton, Lupino Lane, Billy Bennett, seven members of the Australian cricket team in among many other names on a page dated 26 June 1926 (C.G. Macartney, H.L. Collins, W.M. Woodfull, T.J.E. Andrews, W. Bardsley, J. Ryder), Fred Terry, C.B. Cochran, Betty Balfour, Alex Herd, Henry Cotton, Harry Nichols, K.S. Duleepsinhji, A.H.H. Gilligan, Herbert Chapman [Arsenal FC manager], Carol Brisson, and many others.
Signed on rectos and some versos of 54 leaves, with most pages having 10 to 20 autographs. Blank leaves at rear; some signatures with dedications to the visitors book owner Frank Boor, whose ownership signature, dated 10 December 1924, appears at the front. Hinges partly cracked and old tape repair to inner hinges at front; all edges gilt, contemporary gilt-decorated padded red morocco; rubbed and a little wear, with a repair to the front gutter. Overall in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (25 x 20 cm). (14219)
Signed Document/Item Theater Literature Film Signature