Sold For $1,283
*Includes Buyers Premium
Vintage pencil signature, "Happy Birthday and best love, Harriet Brown and G. Garbo,” on an off-white 3.25 x 2.25 sheet. Nicely matted and framed with a photo of Greta Garbo as Queen Christina to an overall size of 12.5 x 17.5. In fine condition, with a couple of small stains.
Accompanied by a printed photo containing a newspaper article referencing this signature, and a 1982 letter from Filomena Ricciardi, the former secretary of Maud Jaretzki, the widow of lawyer Eustace Seligman, both of whom were close friends of Garbo. Per Ricciardi, Garbo sent this note along with flowers to Jaretzki for her birthday. She finishes: ‘I understand that Harriet Brown was the name Miss Garbo used as an alias. I hope I am not betraying a confidence in telling you this!’
Having filmed her last movie, Two-Faced Woman, in 1941, the reclusive Garbo found comfort and refuge in her wealth. To mask her whereabouts, Garbo famously left many of her notes and letters unsigned, but when the actress was compelled to use a name, she often chose either a nickname or a pseudonym. Among them, she adopted the aliases Jane Smith, Gussie Berger, Joan Gustafsson, and her favorite, Harriet Brown, which was sometimes shortened to ‘H. B.’ or ‘Harry Brown.’ At other times, her mood would dictate different personas, such as ‘Mountain Boy’ (M-Boy) to reflect her masculine side, or ‘Eleanor,’ for when she felt a bit more wistful and feminine. Handwritten letters or notes containing both her real name and her favored nom de plume are rare and exceptionally desired.
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