Mostly a typical autograph album, neater than many others, with two amateur sketches, one of a black man with racist overtones, and one page with a touch of decorative ink work. The oblong album measures 3 by 5 inches, 8 by 13 cm. Most entries are dated 1877 or 1878. Soiling to the green gilt-stamped boards. Slightly loose text block. View More...
Most entries are from 1897 or 1898, with only one at the much later date of 1925. John Hare (1844-1921) was a prominent English actor manager who ran the Garrick Theatre in London for a number of years. He was closely associated with Pinero, both producing some of his works as well as acting in them (not the same works). His fame was as great in America as in England. Kathryn Kidder (1868-1939) was a successful American stage actress. Howard Gould was the son of financier Jay Gould. Maurice Barrymore (1849-1905) was the patriarch of the legendary theatrical family. Father of Lionel, Eth... View More...
N.d., circa early 1950s. A Merman autograph written in pencil on a folded white sheet of paper. Merman was the pre-eminent star of the Broadway musical theater from her legendary debut belting out "I've Got Rhythm" in "Girl Crazy" until her stunning dramatic turn as Mama Rose in "Gypsy". Known for her thrilling and crystal clear diction that could be heard in the last row (and the lobby, and quite possibly, on the sidewalk), Merman was in numerous movies but seldom was able to excite movie audiences as she did live time and again. On stage, she had close to a perfec... View More...
N.d., circa early 1950s. The note says: "To Jana My Best always. Julie Harris." Jana was Jana Vasatova, who was, we believe, a Czech emigre who first resettled to London, then New York, and the note was found in a friendship album she was keeping around 1950. Julie Harris was arguably the leading dramatic actress of the Broadway stage of her generation, having won the Tony Award five times, including for "The Last of Mrs. Lincoln", "The Belle of Amherst", and "Forty Carats". While remembered primarily for her stage work, she also made a number of notable a... View More...
An early example of Yalensia. 8vo. Signers of this album include fellow classmates, faculty and administration. Among the still recognizable names inscribed herein are Jeremiah Day (President of the college), Benjamin Silliman, James Kingsley, and an ancestor of the Presidents Bush. (There are halograph autographs on the plates of Silliman, Kingsley, etc., not to be confused with the actual inscriptions. Steel engravings in the book include that of the New Haven Square, Elihu Yale, Jeremiah Day, James Kingsley, and the Library (now part of Linsly-Chittenden Hall). Angier (1819 - 1894), th... View More...
The poem epitomizes Whittier's aphoristic reads: "Mine evening's, thine the morning's star, Across the distance faint and far, I take my life's experience thus: Not what we seem but what we are, Not what we take, but what we give, Not what we preach, but how we live, Availeth us." The inscription was written to Etta Goodrich, whose album this was, and who probably was a neighbor of Whittier's, based on a number of other inscriptions being made in Amesbury or towns nearby. It is likely that Ms. Goodrich was also a young adult, since that was generally the age bracket of someone that... View More...
