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Our Next Historic Auction is September 2010
JOHN WHITE WEBSTER $200.00
37885-1
(d. 1850) American murderer. Webster, a Harvard chemistry professor, had been involved in a fraudulent loan scheme associated with Dr. George Parkman. To cover his crime, Webster murdered Parkman and burned the corpse in the college's furnace. After his attempted suicide, Webster's case attracted international attention and proved crucial in the definition of the use of circumstantial evidence by trial judge Lemuel Shaw. Webster was hanged after numerous appeals. A collection of three pieces, including a short A.D.S. by White on a 3" x 1 1/2" card reading "Admit the bearer Jany. 6, 1837, J.W.W." Fine. With as short A.D.S. of his victim Boston physician, Dr. GEORGE PARKMAN, 1p. 4" x 2 3/4", [n.p.], July 29, 1848, a receipt for $20. Finally, an A.L.S. of the person who posted the reward for capturing the murderer of Dr. Parkman, attorney ROBERT G. SHAW, 1p. 4to., Boston, Sept. 12, 1834 introducing "Mr. Geo Hollinsworth the bears is about to visit Florence with a view to perfect himself as a Painter - I know that it is sufficient for me to say that & I shall be pleased if you can aid him in his pursuits...". Three pieces, very good to fine condition.



(PAGE, BETTY) $30.00
49109-1
(b. 1923) American model and pin-up girl, active mostly in the 1950s. She is said to have been photographed more than Marilyn Monroe. In addition to common pin-up photos, Page also posed for a number of fetish photos, which earned her a cult following.A fine full-length photo of Page sporting a tiny bikini, signed at bottom by her principal photographer, BUNNY YEAGER. Fine.
FETCHIT, STEPIN $85.00
37745-1
Born Lincoln Perry, he left his home in 1914 to pursue a show-business career. He first joined the Royal American Shows plantation revues adopting the stage name "Stepin Fetchit." He spent several years on the vaudeville circuit, arriving in Hoollywood in the late '20s where he made an immediate impact; by the time he appeared in Hearts in Dixie (1929) he was being hailed by some as one of the greatest screen comedians.S.P 4" x 5 1/2" b/w, printed stock, a full-length view showing Fetchit doing "The Twist", some oddball promotional text on verso, nicely signed in green ink. Very good.
HEPBURN, KATHARINE $600.00
41445-1
(1909 - 2003) American actress and Academy Award winner who was perfect playing opposite co-star Spencer Tracy.Important signed book, Hepburn's copy of Margaret Mitchell's classic novel Gone With the Wind, The MacMillan Co., New York, 1936, Sptember, 1936, bearing her rare, carefully-penned full ownership signature on the front flyleaf: "Katharine Houghton Hepburn hartford November 1936". Spine chipped at top and bottom, cover bears some werar and a few minor stains, shaken a bit yet signed page and interior remain very good; clearly a much-read book. Hepburn and Gone With the Wind are forever tied. In July, 1936 the film rights were purchased for the unheard-of sum of $50,000 and leading lady Hepburn no doubt purchased and carefully read this book in preparation for a shot at a starring role as Scarlet O'Hara in the massive production What resulted was perhaps the low point in Hepburn's career: she lost out to a young British actress named Vivien Leigh when Selznick passed on Hepburn because she was "hated by the public at the time" and "lacked the sex qualities". At the same time an exhibitor publication branded her "box office poison." Of course, Hepburn recovered from this major setback and continued in a career that in the views of many far exceeded that of her rival Vivien Leigh. An important piece of Hollywood history!
PIUS XI $550.00
50515-1
D.S. "Pius.p.p. XI", 2pp. (one sheet), folio, in Latin, July 1933, to the President of the Republic of Honduras. An untranslated letter of state. Small paper loss below signature, rough edges, else very good.
HENIE, SONJA $70.00
35894-1
(1912 - 1969) Norwegian figure skating champion who became a popular Hollywood movie star.Superb vintage S.P. 11" x 14" b/w, a great close-up boldly signed. A 1" tear at upper-right margin, else fine.
JAZZ TRUMPETERS $90.00
36849-1
Two signed books, the first that of MAX KAMINSKY (1908-1994), Jazz trumpet player with a New Orleans sound who played with Louis Armstong, Bix Beiderbecke, Fats Waller, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and more. A copy of his out-of-print book "My Life in Jazz", 1963, Harper & Row, 246pp., boldly signed in ballpoint to Art Slingerland and dated Jan. 30, 1975 on front flyleaf. Pen markings on same page, some soiling and miniscule rips to paper dust jacket, binding a tad loose, otherwise fine condition throughout. Also includes"Duke Ellington, In Person - An Intimate Memoir", 1978, Da Capo, New York, 8vo. softback, inscribed and signed in brown pen by author MERCER ELLINGTON (1919-1996), himself a trumpet player, band leader and songwriter: "6/30/84, To Ben: With Many Thanks, Mercer Ellington". Fine.
THELONIUS SPHERE MONK $850.00
27322-1
(1920 - 1982) American jazz pianist, a creator of "bop" style, played in bands with Lucky Millander, Coleman Hawkins, and Charlie Parker, composer of "Round Midnight" and "Straight No Chaser". Excessively rare D.S., a business check issued by the Hometown Music Company, New York, Jan. 25, 1980 making a $7.56 payment to Monk and boldly endorsed in blue ink on verso: "T. Monk". The Hometown Music Company was owned by Sid Prosen, a discoverer of Hank Williams and Simon and Garfunkel, and Prosen was a major East Coast jazz promoter. Light soiling, very good.
KELLY, EMMETT $50.00
42318-1
(1898 - 1979) American clown and creator of "Weary Willie", the mournful tramp in a tattered business suit.I.S.P. 5" x 7" b/w, a great pose in character boldly signed in green ink. Light crease at upper-left, else very good.
EDWARD R. MURROW $175.00
50426-1
(1908-1965) American television journalist, a pioneer in his field remembered for his work as CBS's war correspondent and his attack on Sen. Joseph McCarthy's investigation into American Communists, which ultimately led to the end of the senator's career. S.P., 8" x 10", b/w, bust portrait signed "E.R. Murrow" against the light background. Very good.
JAMAL, AHMAD $200.00
35980-1
(b. 1930) American jazz pianist, one of the most subtle virtuosos in jazz piano annals. His uncanny use of open space and his tight bandleadership have been hallmarks of his influential career. Among those he has influenced is most notably Miles Davis. Jamal also performed the title tune by Johnny Mandel for the soundtrack of the film M*A*S*H.A.L.S. "Ahmad" on hotel letterhead, 2pp. 4to., San Francisco, mar. 22, 1973 to his booking agent Jack Whittemore. In part: "...The contracts from 20th Century Fox arrived today...check will be issued upon signing which will take plavce Thursday March 29th - pictures will be taken then also...The people from [?] wanted to hear from us immediately...they would us to make them an offer but not to include transportation & hotel..." Very good.
MINGUS, CHARLES $900.00
36013-1
(1922 - 1979) American jazz bass player, the first to exploit the bass as a solo instrument. Mingus was a major influence in jazz in the Fifties and Sixties, and his work remains most influential today.Rare, partly-printed D.S. "Charles Mingus", 1p. 4to., [n.p.], Mar. 9, 1973, an American Federation of Musicians contract engaging Mingus to appear at Philadelphia's "Le Bijou" on March 21-24 for two or three shows per evening, for which Mingus would receive a guaranteed $2,500 against 60% of the door. The contract also stipulates that the employer would provide a "grand piano in good condition tuned to A440 pitch". Nicely signed by Mingus at bottom, also signed by his employer, the noted LARRY MAGID of Electric Factory Concerts. Staple holes at top, else very good.
WILLIAM M. "BOSS" TWEED $95.00
60462-6
(1823 -1878) Mayor of New York and political boss. His construction of the New York Court House and the graft associated with it nearly bankrupted New York and led to his ultimate jailing. Partly-printed D.S. "W. M. Tweed" as Dep. Street Commissioner, 1p. 4to., New York, June 11, 1869, his certification as to the necessity for the city to pay a $930.22 invoice for luber used to repair Pier 35 on the "North River". File holes at left, else very good.
CLEAVER, ELDRIDGE $600.00
43506-1
(1936-1998) Black American social activist. Sent to prison in 1958 on a charge of assault with intent to kill, Cleaver served nine years and wrote "Soul on Ice," a series of powerful essays outlining his views on race in America. Cleaver also became a founding member and information minister for the Black Panthers, but after being wounded by police in a shootout, he fled overseas. Cleaver returned to the U.S. in 1975, embraced Christianity, and became an ardent anti-communist.Outstanding A.Ms. (unsigned), 1p. 4to., April 6, 1987, a diary entry noting the anniversary of the death of fellow Black Panther Bobby Hutton. In part: "This is the anniversary of the shootout in which Bobby Hutton was killed. Ulhurn House is stageing a Free Huey [Newto] Rally featuring Omali Yeshitela, Charles Gary and Dollie Mae Hutton...sponsored by African People's Socialist Party...I will not be there -- because they reject me , not vice-versa. One wonders: Will there ever be a day of reckoning for allt he lies and twisted information put out against me by the noble reformers of the left..." On April 6, 1967, Black Panther members (including Cleaver and the decesaed Hutton) bcame involved in a shootout with the Oakland Police in which three policemen were severely wounded. In the mele, Cleaver was wounded and Bobby Hutton was killed. Later, startling testimony by Oakland police officer Lt. Hilliard, revealed that Hutton was Hilliard's prisoner and that he was handcuffed from the back when placed under arrest. Testimony from other Oakland policemen corroborate Hilliard's statement and support the theory that Hutton was murdered by rogue cops while under custody. Cleaver faced up to 82 years in prison forhis involvement in the shootout, but the case fell apart upon revelations of how Hutton died. Accompanied by an unpublished polaroid photo of Cleaver in a beret and army jacket. Very good.
MARX, CHICO $400.00
30207-1
(1886 - 1961) Member of the infamous Marx Brothers comedy film team, remembered for his portrayal of an Italian bumpkin and his mastery of the piano.Superb I.S.P. 5" x 7" sepia showing Chico full-length seated in character. Boldly inscribed and signed in the white bottom margin, fine.
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