Handsome, Mexican actor, Novarro was a silent screen star. His biggest hit came with the title role in Ben-Hur. In later years he became an alcoholic and in 1968 was murdered by two brothers trying to find out where he kept his money. Lot of two great items: a vintage sepia matte-finish 5 x 7 portrait of the young Novarro, signed and inscribed “To Edward Brown” and a TLS on his personal letterhead, dated April 26, 1963, signed “Ramon.” The letter to Cecil reads, in part: “I finally met Micklewood. He had dinner with me last Tuesday. He’s quite devoted to you and feels that you’d be very happy working here in California. We discussed you at length and you came up with flying colors…I’m so glad to hear that you had a wonderful time in Spain but I have found a house here that suits me to a T and I doubt if I could every find another like it, even in Spain.” In overall fine condition, with mild creasing to the letter, two small corner bends to the photo. R&R COA.
