African-American actor (1899–1949) best known for his role as Scarlett O’Hara’s “servant” Pork in Gone with the Wind. Extremely rare vintage glossy 2.75 x 3.75 deckle-edge photo of Polk in costume with a top hat, cape, cane, and with a monocle dangling from his neck, signed in fountain pen “Oscar Polk.” The photo was originally contained in an album on a page indicating that it was obtained during Polk’s engagement in the play “Mr. Big” in 1941, probably in the Boston area during the tryout run before its unsuccessful seven-performance run on Broadway in September and October of that year. A few very minor surface marks, and top half of image slightly underexposed, otherwise fine, clean condition. Because of the limitations on Polk’s career as an African-American performer and his death at the age of 49, his autograph material likely represents the single most elusive rarity among the stars of Gone with the Wind; this signed photo of him is one of a very few known to exist. A not-to-be-missed opportunity for the advanced GWTW collector! R&R COA.
