Incredible autograph book, 10.5 x 14, 56 pages, with a number of signatures of celebrities inside, many inscribed to ‘Roxy.’ Of particular note is a page with an AMQS of the first few bars of ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ titled by Gershwin and signed and inscribed “To Roxy—what a man! George Gershwin, Apr. 25, 1930,” and below, his brother draws a quick self-portrait sketch of himself bowing, signed “I bow to Roxy—Ira Gershwin, 4/25/30.” Feodor Chaliapin has also drawn a self-portrait of himself singing, signing “F. Chaliapin,” with a brief AMQS below. Original signed sketches also come from cartoonists George McManus, Ernie Bushmiller, Milt Gross, and Harry Hershfield. Other signers include: Jack Dempsey, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Richard Byrd, Norma Shearer, Irving Thalberg, Max Reinhardt, Grantland Rice, Charles G. Dawes, George Eastman (the only full signature we have seen), Jimmy Doolittle, Louella Parsons, Arturo Toscanini, Victor McLaglen, James J. Walker, John Philip Sousa, Irwin S. Cobb, Fannie Hurst, Ingrid Bergman, and Joan Crawford. Also affixed is a TLS from Calvin Coolidge, expressing thanks for a Christmas gift. Also of interest are two unsigned ‘radiograms’ affixed within the book, sent by Richard Byrd from his Antarctic base, ‘Little America.’ Many friends and military acquaintances have also signed the book. Covers are no longer present and many pages have separated from the binding, but individual pages remain unharmed but for expected light toning and soiling. With music, literary, political, and entertainment icons, this book offers an incredibly wide range of celebrities—a fantastic picture of American culture as the ‘roaring twenties’ came to a close. RRAuction COA.
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