An impressive and substantial collection devoted to the life and accomplishments of James Cagney. Collection includes personal candid snapshots, studio photos, Cagney's Warner Bros. ID card, several recollections of Cagney by his peers, magazine articles and books. Collection highlights include: Cagney's Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. Identity card, 4 x 2.5, with Cagney's name and Social Security number, as well as a small photo of Cagney on the front, with his address typed on the reverse; recollections of Cagney's career from peers such as Vivien Leigh, Ray Bolger, Joe Besser, Ray Bradbury, Joan Fontaine and Lillian Gish. Besser writes, in part, 'He is a wonderful person and an extremely clever one. He is one of the most talented actors we have. I have never missed one of his pictures.'; a great assortment of candid photos spanning Cagney's career show an inside look at this great actor, including photos of Cagney with Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Fred Astaire and Charlton Heston, photos of Cagney at his home in upstate New York as well as in his studio, photos of Cagney on the set of his last film Ragtime and with his wife and two children, including the one used in his autobiography, a copy of which is included. Remainder of collection contains magazines and news clippings from Cagney's career and passing, the aforementioned autobiography, three other biographies and two retrospectives, and of course you can't have a Cagney collection without an autograph, a matte finish 8 x 10 Warner Bros. promotional photo from Boy Meets Girl, signed in black felt tip by Cagney. In fine condition. An impressive and well done collection, certain to be of interest to the acute Hollywood collector. RRAuction COA.
