Description:

Hammerstein Oscar

1p TLS on "Oscar Hammerstein, 2nd" letterhead signed by theatrical librettist Oscar Hammerstein II as "Oscar Hammerstein" in black fountain pen in lower right corner. In very good condition, with expected paper folds. The cream watermarked paper sheet has three discolored spots, measuring 6.125" x 7". Also accompanied by 1p TLS signed by New York City Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, and New York City Parks invitation. From the Collection of Norman Boas of Seaport Autographs and recently purchased at Christie's December 5, 2017 sale.

 

Hammerstein and other Broadway aficionados fundraised to construct a statue of George M. Cohan (1878-1942) after the performer's death.

 

Oscar Hammerstein II wrote this May 7, 1957 TLS to a Connecticut donor who had recently contributed to the George M. Cohan Memorial Fund. Hammerstein wrote in part: "we are gratified to know that the name of 'Mr. Broadway' has not been forgotten".

 

Also included in this lot are two invitations to the George M. Cohan statue dedication ceremony. The August 12, 1959 1p TLS signed by New York City Parks Commissioner Robert Morse personally invited donor "Miss Evelyn H. Perkins" of Willimantic, Connecticut to the ceremony. Miss Perkins also received a printed invitation from the Department of Parks of the City of New York and the George M. Cohan Memorial Committee now mounted on a brown stock card.

 

Oscar Hammerstein II  (1895-1960) dominated Broadway for almost 40 years, co-writing over 850 songs and winning 10 Tony and Academy Awards. He viewed Cohan as his musical and theatrical predecessor.

 

Cohan began his tremendously successful musical career as a child vaudeville entertainer. Over his 50-year-career, Cohan contributed to over 36 Broadway musicals and published over 300 songs. The $100,000 8-foot-tall bronze statue of Cohan was erected in September 1959 in midtown Manhattan's Duffy Square; It can still be seen there today.

 

Provenance: Ex-Christie's December 5, 2017 sale; Ex-Norman Boas, Seaport Autographs.


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