Caruso, Enrico. (1873-1921)
Engraved Gold Charm with Signed Photograph
An unusual pair of Caruso items, including a 14k gold/turquoise charm engraved on the verso "Enrico Caruso / To / Mae Cannon / 1908" together with a 5.5 x 8.5 inch sepia portrait photograph of the great tenor, inscribed "To Miss Mae Cannon / Enrico Caruso / N.Y. 1909." The pair sold together with a note explaining that these were "given to Grandpa Joe (George W. Cannon) by his Aunt Mae Cannon who was a floor maid on the 13th floor of the Hotel Astor when Mr. Caruso + his entourage rented the entire floor for his concert. He liked Mae + gave her jewelry + pictures."Caruso spent money lavishly on homes, hotel suites, clothes, jewelry and women. The opera singer Ada Giachetti, who abandoned her husband and infant to live with Caruso, was the mother of his children, Rudolfo and Enrico Jr. In 1908, she bolted with the family chauffeur. In 1912, Rina Giachetti, sister to Ada and also a famous singer, became Caruso's mistress. Her tenure ended abruptly in 1918 when he unexpectedly married an American, Dorothy Park Benjamin. It is not inconceivable that Miss Cannon, showered with gifts as she seems to have been, was more than simply a maid to Caruso. (8971)
Signed Photograph Opera