BEST, Edna (1900-74)

Photograph Signed

This British-born actress, once married to Herbert Marshall, starred on stage and in English and American films such as "The Man Who Knew Too Much," "The Swiss Family Robinson" and "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir." PS, 5" X 7", n.p. n.d. Good plus. Heavy mounting traces on verso. Vintage matte finish closeup of a young Best, signed at the bottom. .

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Book number: 15576

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Film & Theater

BETTGER, Lyle (1915-2003)

Signature and Inscription

One of those character actors you love to hate in films such as "Union Station" (1950), "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952, as elephant handler Klaus), "The Lone Ranger" (1956) and "Gunfight at the OK Corral" (1957). Large, bold "To Richard -- / with all good / wishes -- / Lyle Bettger" in black ballpoint, heavy stock 5½" X 3½" card, n.p. [Honolulu, HI], n.y. [September 1987]. Fine. A great later life example. .

Main Street Fine Books & ManuscriptsProfessional seller

Book number: 36399

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Film & Theater

BEUTER, Charles (?-1964)

Signature and Inscription

When the U.S. Navy Band was created by Act of Congress in 1925, this lieutenant was named its first leader; under his tutelage it played for many historic occasions, such as Charles Lindbergh's return in 1927 from his trans-Atlantic flight and Admiral Richard E. Byrd's return in 1929 from his South Pole Flight; he founded the Navy School of Music in 1935 to help supply qualified musicians to the band. "Lieut Chas Beuter U.S.N / Leader U.S. Navy Band / Wash. D.C. / Regards" in bold blue fountain pen on a pale yellow 5½" X 4½" slip, dated at bottom October 1929 in another hand. Very good. A small newspaper portrait of Beuter is affixed to the lower left portion (not affecting writing). Interesting and unusual. This was signed at a Chautauqua meeting where Beuter gave a lecture or performance. .

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Book number: 18451

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Music

BEY, Turhan (1922-2012)

Signature / Unsigned Photograph

The Austrian actor of Czech-Turkish descent, nicknamed "The Turkish Delight," was a stage director in Vienna but appeared as a sinister character in many popular Hollywood films between 1941 and 1953. Large and bold signature in black ballpoint on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card, which he dates "1987" at upper right. Fine. With original envelope bearing his rubberstamped Viennese address. Accompanied by a fine black-and-white glossy 8" X 10" photograph a dramatic closeup of him with Evelyn Ankers from the 1943 horror film "The Mad Ghoul" (from an MCA TV re-release, along with two other promotional sheets. A superb example and evocative image. .

Main Street Fine Books & ManuscriptsProfessional seller

Book number: 49794

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Film & Theater

DEL BIANCO, Oscar (?-?)

Typed Letter Signed

Conductor. TLS, 1p, 8½" X 11", String Symphonic Ensemble Society letterhead, Pittsburgh, PA, 1934 November 7. Addressed to pianist John G. Leiser. Very good. Letter of appreciation transmitting autographed program. With original envelope. Also signed program, 8pp, 6" X 9¼", Pittsburgh, PA, 1934 October 19. Inscribed to John G. Leiser on first page above Del Bianco's photograph. .

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Book number: 27441

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: AUTOGRAPH, AUTOGRAPHS "MUSIC Music

BIASI, Guido (1933-84)

Inscribed Photograph Signed

This Neapolitan-born modernist painter and sculptor worked in Paris much of his career, and his works are found in major art museums worldwide. IPS (in French), heavy stock glossy 6" X 4 3/4", n.p. n.y. Fine. Color picture postcard of his landscape "Mémoire écologique," published by the Edizioni Galleria Blu in Milan. On the blank verso (never addressed or mailed), he boldly inscribes and signs it in French in black fineline: "Merci pour la lettre -- / ..mieux tard / que jamais: voici / ma signature -- / Amicalement / Guido Biasi." (Thanks for your letter -- better late than never: here is my signature -- All the best..) Biasi died relatively young and his autograph material is seldom encountered. .

Main Street Fine Books & ManuscriptsProfessional seller

Book number: 49662

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Art & Architecture

BIDAULT, Georges (1899-1983)

Signature

French director of the Council of the Resistance during World War Two; later French premier. Bold signature in blue fountain pen, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p. 1981 January 20. Fine. With original envelope. Comes with a superb vintage 8½" X 7" glossy news agency photograph of 1947 showing Bidault signing the U.N. Charter. A fine signature and an outstanding (and quite scarce) photograph. .

Main Street Fine Books & ManuscriptsProfessional seller

Book number: 22648

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: AUTOGRAPH, AUTOGRAPHS World Leaders & Statesmen

BIDDLE, Cadwalader (1837-1906)

Autograph Document Signed

This member of the legendary early colonial Philadelphia family was a famed attorney and sociality of that city, active in such organizations as the American Philosophical Society and the Pennsylvania Board of Charities. ADS, 1p, 5¼" X 6½", Long Branch, NJ, 1876 July 3. Very good. Minor soiling. Payment order boldly penned in brown ink: "The Bank of North America Phila will please pay to the order of S.A. Howland One Hundred and nine 10/100 dollars.." Signed in full. Oval "Paid" inkstamp at lower right, not affecting written portion, and partial tax stamp at lower left, plus the usual cancellation slashes. Interesting and unusual. .

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Book number: 35112

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Law

BIDDULPH, Sir Thomas (1809-78)

Autograph Note Signed (Third Person)

This British army officer (major, 7th Light Dragoons) and courtier was appointed master of her majesty's household in 1861 and in 1866 named one of the joint keepers of her majesty's privy purse (sole keeper after 1867), and as such, according to Sir Theodore Martin in "The Life of His Highness the Prince Consort," "he was the last survivor of the three very able men.. who had been intimately associated with the prince from their position as leading members of her majesty's household" -- in other words, if you wanted to get through to Queen Victoria and the royal family, you had to go through him. Third person ANS, 1p lettersheet, 4 3/4" X 7¼", Buckingham Palace, 1869 April 7. Near fine. Mounting traces on verso. Beautifully and boldly penned "Sir Thomas Biddulph is commanded to express the Princess Louise's regret that Her Royal Highness is unable to accede to the request preferred in Miss Lowe's letter of the 5th Inst..." Princess Louise (1848-1939) was the fourth daughter and sixth child of Victoria and Albert. .

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Book number: 31973

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: World Leaders & Statesmen

BIGNOTTI, George (1918-2013)

Signed Postal Cover

This Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Famer (elected 1975) was chief mechanic extraordinaire, racking up more natrional Championship wins than any other grease monkey -- seven Indianapolis 500 championships among them; he worked for the likes of Gordon Johncock, Al Unser, A.J. Foyt and other legendary drivers. NOT a First Day Cover, but rather a Signed Postal Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled at Indianapolis, IN, on 28 May 1973 noting "Indianapolis / Home of / the '500' Festival." Single 8-cent "Copernicus / 1473-1973" stamp at upper right. Large inkstamped cachet at left commemorates this "500 Festival" and notes "Indianapolis 500-Mile Race / Hoosier Hospitality." Fine. Bignotti signs large and bold near the center in blue ballpoint. Small portion of original transmittal envelope present. Very unusual. .

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Book number: 46329

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Athletes

BILLINGS, Henry (1901-85)

Original Ink-and-Wash Drawing

This New York painter and illustrator created many murals for the WPA; he is known for his penchant for machinery and all things mechanical in his work. Original ink-and-wash drawing (unsigned), heavy stock 12" X 12", n.p. n.d. Near fine. Minor age toning. Illustration from his 1950 book "Diesel-Electric 4030" (New York: Viking Press), a charming scene depicting a small town railroad station tucked into a hillside (the station plaque identifies the city as Hudson, New York), a couple of idle porters sitting around with carts awaiting the next train, some buildings and overpass in the background, etc. A delightfully moody, evocative piece. Very scarce. .

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Book number: 20469

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: BOOK ILLUSTRATION ART Art & Architecture

BILLINGS, Haskell C. "Josh" (1907-83)

Signature

The famed Detroit Tigers pitcher debuted in 1927 and played for two seasons. Bold signature, dated by him 25 September 1980 at upper right, in blue ballpoint on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p. Fine. With original envelope. .

Main Street Fine Books & ManuscriptsProfessional seller

Book number: 13949

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: AUTOGRAPHS Athletes

BILLUPS, Kenneth Brown (1918-?)

Signed First Day Cover

This influential black musician, educator and composer (pageant "Rolling Along in Negro Song," 1945) served as choir master of St. Louis's renowned Antioch Baptist Church and as president of the National Association of Negro Musicians (1960-65); one of his most famed pupils was the opera star Grace Bumbry; "Billups Avenue" in St. Louis is named in his honor, and he was first recipient of the prestigious W.C. Handy Award in 1969 -- the same year the U.S. honored Handy with a stamp. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled at Memphis, TN, on May 17, 1969 and with "First Day of Issue" marked. Single 6-cent "W.C. Handy Father of the Blues" stamp at upper right. Near fine. No decorative cachet at left; no distracting recipient's name/address present. Across the "sweet spot," Billups signs bold and large (5"!) in black ballpoint. Comes with original 9½" X 4" transmittal envelope bearing Billups name and address printed in his hand at upper left. A most uncommon autograph. .

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Book number: 21357

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: W.C. HANDY Music

BINDLOSS, Harold (1866-1945)

Autograph Note Signed

This English novelist spent many years in western Canada (a town is named after him in Alberta) and cranked out dozens of popular prairie adventure novels often set in Canada such as "Lorimer of the Northwest" (1909), "Prescott of Saskatchewan" (1913), "The Lure of the North" (1918) and "Northwest!" (1922). AS, 1p, 4½" X 7", Skinverness, Cumberland, England, 1 May 1921. Addressed to Mr. Blodgett. Near fine. Friendly note to admirer, reading in part: "Please excuse brevity. I have to work pretty hard, & autograph collecting has recently become popular.." Boldly penned in brown ink. .

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Book number: 43751

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: Authors

BING, Rudolf (1902-97)

Signature

Long-time manager of the New York Metropolitan Opera (1950-72). Large signature, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p. 1980 March 20. Fine. With original envelope. .

Main Street Fine Books & ManuscriptsProfessional seller

Book number: 13960

Catalogue: Autographs

Keywords: AUTOGRAPHS" Music Music