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Unique 9 x 12-inch hardcover autograph scrapbook containing more than 200 affixed signatures, signed photographs, cards, correspondence and other signed pieces representing an extraordinary cross-section of prominent figures in American and international life from early to mid-20th century.
Assembled principally during the 1930s by Hilda Jeanne Payin, the collection is particularly distinguished by the number of pieces personally inscribed to Hilda, providing a compelling continuity and provenance throughout the album.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS
Babe Ruth—Baseball legend and one of the defining figures in American sports history. Signed card, approximately 3 3/16 x 2 5/16 inches.
Lou Gehrig – New York Yankees icon and one of baseball’s most celebrated players. Signed card, approximately 3 3/16 x 2 5/16 inches.
Thomas A. Edison – Signed card, approximately 5 5/16 x 4 3/8 inches, signed "Thos A Edison."
Amelia Earhart – Signed card, approximately 5 ¼ x 3 ¼ inches.
George Gershwin – Signed card, approximately 4 ¼ x 3 ¾ inches.
Sergei Rachmaninoff – Signed card, approximately 5 7/8 x 3 9/16 inches.
Arturo Toscanini – Signed card, approximately 5 ½ x 3 9/16 inches.
Jascha Heifetz – Signed card dated 1936, approximately 5 ½ x 3 9/16 inches.
Yehudi Menuhin – Signed card, dated April 14, 1933, approximately 5 ¼ x 3 5/16 inches.
Gregor Piatigorsky – Signed card, approximately 3 ½ x 3 5/8 inches, personally inscribed to Hilda Jeanne Payin and dated February 28, 1936, with a musical staff from the Dvorak Cello Concerto.
Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd – Polar explorer, aviator and Medal of Honor recipient; signed approximately 5 x 4-inch card.
Calvin Coolidge – Signed piece, approximately 4 ¼ x 2 ¾ inches, on White House letterhead, accompanied in the album by a Grace Coolidge signature, approximately 4 ¼ x 2 ¾ inches.
Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover – Paired signatures on Stanford University cards, approximately 3 ½ x 2 inches.
Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mamie Doud Eisenhower – Paired signatures on White House card, approximately 3 15/16 x 2 ½ inches each.
CLASSICAL MUSIC & OPERA
The album contains a particularly impressive concentration of internationally important classical musicians, composers, conductors and opera singers.
Eugene Ormandy – Signed card.
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Arturo Toscanini, Jascha Heifetz, Yehuda Menuhin, Gregor Piatagorsky, Mischa Elman, Alfred Mirovitch, Ruggiero Ricci, Ruth Slenczynska, Rosa Ponselle, Lily Pons, Kirsten Flagstad, Lawrence Tibbett and numerous others.
POLITICS & PUBLIC LIFE
Calvin Coolidge; Grace Coolidge; Herbert Hoover; Lou Henry Hoover; Dwight D. Eisenhower; Mamie Doud Eisenhower; Charles Evans Hughes; Frank B. Kellogg; Alfred E. Smith; Ruth Bryan Owen; Theodore Christianson; Floyd B. Olson; and other political and public figures.
The album notably includes Frank B. Kellogg, U.S. Secretary of State, co-author of the Kellogg-Briand Pact and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, on a signed card dated 1928.
SCIENCE, AVIATION & EXPLORATION
Thomas A. Edison
Amelia Earhart
Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd
Jean Piccard – Swiss scientist, stratospheric-flight pioneer and high-altitude balloonist.
Jeanette Piccard – Stratospheric balloonist and the first woman to pilot a balloon into the stratosphere.
Aloha Wanderwell – Adventurer recognized as the first woman to drive around the world.
Frank Buck – Signed card inscribed, "Best wishes to Hilda."
HOLLYWOOD & FILM
An extensive representation of Golden Age and early Hollywood includes:
Mary Pickford; Gloria Swanson; Lionel Barrymore; John Barrymore; Dolores Costello Barrymore; Pola Negri; Al Jolson; Ruby Keeler; Billie Burke; Sophie Tucker; Eddie Cantor; Dick Powell; Alla Nazimova; Richard Dix; Richard Arlen; Claudette Colbert; Ginger Rogers; Fred Astaire; Maurice Chevalier; Marlene Dietrich; Bette Davis; Mae West; Joan Blondell; Dolores del Rio; Marion Davies; Lupe Velez; Anna Sten; Conchita Montenegro; Lew Ayres; and others.
Numerous examples are personally inscribed. Among them:
Lionel Barrymore – "To Hilda Jeanne Payin From Lionel Barrymore 1935."
John Barrymore – "To Hilda Jeanne – Sincerely John Barrymore."
Gloria Swanson – "Best wishes Gloria Swanson."
Dolores del Rio – Represented by multiple signed pieces, including one inscribed "For the Payin Sisters, Cordially Dolores Del Rio."
Lew Ayres – Represented by multiple pieces, including correspondence and a large signed photographic piece dated 1931.
BROADWAY, JAZZ, DANCE & POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT
The album further includes important performers from Broadway, jazz, vaudeville, dance and popular music, among them:
George Gershwin; Irving Berlin; Cab Calloway; Bing Crosby; Bill "Bojangles" Robinson; Ethel Waters; Ruth Etting; Kate Smith; Helen Kane; Eddie Cantor; Sophie Tucker; Eleanor Powell; Ted Shawn; Sonja Henie; Rudy Vallee; Katherine Cornell; Otis Skinner; Cornelia Otis Skinner; and others.
Of particular interest is Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, whose signed piece is personally inscribed:
"To Hilda Jeanne Payin, Very ‘Copesetically’ yours, Bill Robinson 1932."
ADDITIONAL SIGNED MATERIAL
The collection extends beyond the principal scrapbook pages and includes additional signed material and inserts, including:
Sister Elizabeth Kenny – Signed benefit program.
Liberace – Signed multi-page booklet.
George Liberace – Also signed within the booklet.
Maurice Chevalier – Program for an Evening With Maurice Chevalier, April 15, 1967.
CONDITION AND PROVENANCE
In overall very good to fine condition, with irregular toning to various signed slips and cards. The album cover exhibits some scuffing, not affecting the contents.
A notable feature of the collection is its personal character. Numerous signatures are addressed or inscribed directly to Hilda Jeanne Payin with dates, greetings and correspondence providing evidence of the circumstances and period in which the collection was assembled.
An unusually broad period assemblage encompassing American presidents and statesmen, legendary athletes, aviation and exploration pioneers, major classical musicians, opera stars, Broadway performers and some of the most recognizable figures of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
