Willson, Meredith. (1902–1984) Signed Photograph with AMQS

Willson, Meredith. (1902–1984)

Signed Photograph with AMQS

Unusual 8 x 10 inch doubleweight photograph, signed by the composer and playwright who wrote the book, score and lyrics for "The Music Man" and the score for "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." Oblong photograph of Willson standing at a keyboard in an NBC studio, one hand playing a chord and the other jotting notes on musical manuscript paper. Two other men are shown standing behind the piano, one apparently sending a message via Morse code and the other [NBC engineer, Oscar Berg] writing Morse signals on a large open musical score poster on the wall marked "The Towers / by Meredith Willson." Signed in blue ink by Willson: "73's for my good pal 'fergy' Sincerely Meredith Wilson [1-measure AMQS] 4/8/35 San Francisco." Signed additionally in black ink: "73's for RDF my partner in crime / Oscar Berg." Mounted to another page, in very fine condition.

For the 25th anniversary of NBC in 1951, a tribute to the chimes was written by Meredith Willson, "The Three Chimes of Silver." The circumstances of the present photograph and inscriptions are certainly worthy of further research. (4263)

Signed Photograph Theater