Description:

Golden Age of Hollywood Archive! Dealers' Lot of 50+ Autographs With Bonus Sports, Political, & Miscellaneous, Collected by Broadway Playwright

An outstanding archive, perfect for a Golden Age of Hollywood movie memorabilia collectors or as a dealers' lot, of celebrity autographs collected ca. 1938-1950. There are 49 pieces total, featuring 56 separate autographs of famous individuals from Hollywood as well as baseball, boxing, politics, medicine, science, exploration, and literature. With exceptional provenance from William F. Brown (1928-2019), the collector of the archive, who later became a Tony Award-nominated playwright. More on Brown below.

The archive is comprised of scraps of paper, cards, postcards, business cards, menu and program backs, and letters. At one point Brown organized the autographs alphabetically and displayed them in a scrapbook album; currently, only about 20 autographs are still adhered to the pages. The pieces are in very good to near fine condition, with expected condition issues ranging from toning to mounting traces verso. The largest pieces--the album pages--measure 8.25" x 10."

Provenance

The lot is accompanied by a photocopy of a 1p typed document dating from January 1983 explaining the origins of Brown's autograph collection. In part: "Going way back to when I was a little boy in the late 30s, I liked to collect autographs. If I was lucky, people would sign a scrap of paper, or a hat check, or an envelope, or whatever…"

William F. Brown was a 1950 graduate of Princeton University who likely benefited from the G.I. Bill after serving in the U.S. Army. (A photocopy of an 8" x 10" vintage photograph included in this lot shows Brown in military uniform serving overseas in Asia.) After completing his military service and higher education, Brown embarked on a career in the arts and entertainment industry. He tried his hand in television advertising and producing, freelance writing, and comic strip illustration, and was a Tony Award-nominated playwright and librettist. He is best known for contributions to the Broadway production of "The Wiz," the 1975 musical revival of "The Wizard of Oz" featuring an all-black cast and gospel, soul, and pop music.

Select autographs include:

HOLLYWOOD

- Robert Benchley (1889-1945), American humorist, paper fragment with original pencil doodle signed as "Well, here I am. / (signed) / Robert Benchley"

- Phil Coole, paper fragment signed as "Best of Luck to / Billy Brown / from / Phil Coole / Okay Colonel"

- Jimmy Durante (1893-1980), American comedic actor, paper fragment signed as "To Bill / Brown / from Pal / Jimmy Durante"

- Eddie Dowling (1889-1976), American actor, back of business card signed as "To Bill Brown / Best wishes, / Eddie Dowling"

- Henry Fonda (1905-1982), American actor, Christmas card signed as "To / Bill Brown - / with my very / Best - / Henry Fonda"

- Jean Gabin (1904-1976) 1p autograph note on the back of a restaurant order pad sheet signed by the French actor and singer as "Jean Gabin" at the bottom. The 19-word hand-inscribed message is in both French and English, and translates as: "To Bill Brown (Princeton University) / with all my admiration / for his 'ravishing mama' / and the hope to meet him again / soon / Jean Gabin."

- Roscoe Karns (1891-1970) and George Raft (1901-1980) signed paper fragment. The back of a program is dated "10/9/38" and signed by Roscoe Karns as "Roscoe Karns" and by George Raft as "George Raft," with a pencil inscription "Spawn of the North" found at the bottom.

- Mary Livingstone (1905-1983), an American actress, signed card on behalf of herself and comedian husband Jack Benny (1894-1974), as "Sincerely / Jack Benny / and / Mary Livingstone"

- Raymond Massey (1896-1983), Canadian actor, paper fragment signed as "To Bill Brown / with my best wishes / Raymond Massey"

- Adolphe Menjou (1890-1963) 1p autograph letter on "2606 / Nottingham Avenue / Adolphe Menjou / Hollywood / Cal" letterhead signed by the American actor as "Adolphe Menjou near the center with an additional 35 words written in his hand. A small hole at the intersection of several paper folds near the bottom.

- George Murphy (1902-1992), American actor, paper fragment signed as "George Murphy," with an additional 20 words written in his hand

- Jack Oakie (1903-1978), American actor, paper fragment signed as "To my friend Bill / Brown / Jack Oakie"

- Mary Pickford (1892-1979), Canadian-American actress, signed as "Hello Billy / I am glad to meet / you! / Mary Pickford" on "The Savoy Plaza / New York" notepaper

- Edward G. Robinson (1893-1973), Romanian-American actor, paper fragment signed as "To / Bill Brown / Sincerely / Edward G. Robinson"

- Ann Rutherford (1917-2012), American actress, paper fragment signed as "At 21 / For Bill Brown / Good luck! / Ann Rutherford / 12/7/42"

- Jimmy Stewart (1908-1997), an American actor, signed "Good Luck / Jimmy Stewart" on a paper fragment dated 2/21/42

- Shirley Temple (1928-2014) 1p typed letter on "Shirley Temple" letterhead signed by the American child actress, singer, and dancer as "Sincerely, / Shirley Temple" at the center. Written in Brentwood Park, Los Angeles, California on October 27, 1943.

- Franchot Tone (1905-1968), American actor, paper fragment signed as "To Bill Brown - / Best wishes - / Franchot Tone"

- Spencer Tracy (1900-1967), American actor, paper fragment signed as "Hello / Bill Brown / Best wishes / Spencer Tracy"

- Arthur Treacher (1894-1975), British actor, paper fragment signed as "'For / Bill Brown / at '21' / 12/19/42 / Arthur Treacher"

- Clifton Webb (1889-1966), American actor, paper fragment signed as "Clifton Webb"

- Arlene Wheelan (1916-1993), American actress, paper fragment signed as "To Bill Brown / God bless you / Sincerely / Arlene Wheelan"

- Monty Woolley (1888-1963), American actor, paper fragment signed as "To my friend / Bill Brown / Monty Woolley"

LITERATURE, SCIENCE, MEDICINE, EXPLORATION

- Richard E. Byrd (1888-1957), American explorer, fragment of a typed letter signed as "Richard E Byrd"

- Allan Roy Dafoe (1883-1943), Canadian obstetrician, paper fragment signed as "Allan Roy Dafoe"

- Dashiell Hammett (1894-1961), American detective story writer, paper fragment signed as "Dashiell Hammett / (look, I can still write!)"

- Paul de Kruif (1890-1971), American microbiologist, paper fragment signed as "Paul de Kruif" and dated January 6, 1945, with an additional 25 words in his hand

BASEBALL

- Bill Dickey (1907-1993), American professional baseball player and manager, paper fragment signed as "Best Wishes / Bill Dickey"

- Bill Dickey and Robert "Red" Rolfe (1908-1969) signed paper fragment. Signed by Bill Dickey as "Bill Dickey" at top, and also signed by Robert "Red" Rolfe, American professional baseball player and manager, as "Red Rolfe" at bottom. The "ill" of Bill Dickey's signature is slightly smudged.

- Arthur Fletcher (1885-1959) and Ken Silvestri (1916-1991) signed paper fragment. Signed by Arthur Fletcher, American professional baseball player and coach, as "Arthur Fletcher" at top, and also signed by Ken Silvestri, American professional baseball player, as "Ken Silvestri" at bottom.

- Lou Gehrig (1903-1941) autograph believed signed by his wife, Eleanor Gehrig, as "To Bill / Best Wishes / Lou Gehrig" on the back of a postcard postmarked from Larchmont, New York on September 7, 1939.

- Tony Henrich (1913-2009), American professional baseball player, paper fragment signed as "Tony Heinrich."

- Charlie Keller (1916-1990) and Norm Branch, Sr. (1915-1971) signed paper fragment. Signed by Charlie Keller, American professional baseball player, as "Charlie Keller" at top, and also signed by Norm Branch, Sr., American professional baseball player, as "Norm Branch" at bottom.

- Phil Rizzuto (1917-2007), American professional baseball player, paper fragment signed as "Phil Rizzuto"

- Warren "Buddy" Rosar (1914-1994) and Vernon "Lefty" Gomez (1908-1989) signed paper fragment. Signed by Buddy Rosar, American professional baseball player, as "Buddy Rosar" at top, and also signed by Lefty Gomez, American professional baseball player, as "Lefty Gomez" at bottom.

- Charles "Red" Ruffing (1905-1986), American professional baseball player, paper fragment signed as "Chas. Ruffing."

- Marius Russo (1914-2005), American professional baseball player, paper fragment signed as "Marius Russo."

- George Selkirk (1908-1987), Canadian professional baseball player, paper fragment signed as "Geo Selkirk."

- Johnny Stevens (1912-1981), American professional baseball umpire, paper fragment signed as "Yours / Johnny Stevens."

BOXING

- Two autographs of William "Jack" Dempsey (1895-1983), the world heavyweight championship boxer, both signed black and white photographs on the reverse of restaurant dinner menu cards. The first is signed as "Good luck / Jack Dempsey," scattered minor stains and a horizontal fold near the bottom; and the second is signed as "To Billy Brown / Best of luck pal / from / Jack Dempsey."

POLITICS

- Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) signed 1p typed letter on "Herbert Hoover" letterhead dated August 12, 1950, signed by the former 31st U.S. President as "Herbert Hoover" at center. Tape residue along the edges.

- Wendell L. Willkie (1892-1944) signed 1p typed letter on "Wendell L. Willkie" letterhead dated July 1, 1943, signed by the unsuccessful 1940 Republican presidential nominee as "Wendell L Willkie" at center right.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000