Irving Thalberg personal deluxe photograph albums from his film productions....

Description

Irving Thalberg personal deluxe photograph albums from his film productions. No expense was spared in the creation of this exquisite 2-volume set containing (245) stills from the legendary producer's body of work. Each volume measures 14 x 19.5 in. and is richly bound in full leather with calf endboards and endpages. The interior pages are heavy stock paper of the highest quality with deckle edges. Stamped on the spine with gilt letters, "PHOTOGRAPHS FROM IRVING THALBERG PRODUCTIONS". Below, each are stamped "VOLUME ONE" / "VOLUME TWO", respectively. Title page text is professionally printed in black, "Photographs From Irving Thalberg Productions". Both volumes possess a table of contents page featuring the film titles with respective still numbers. The 7 x 9 in. silver gelatin photographs are professionally adhered to the pages (mostly two per page) and are numbered in black ink. The films featured are as follows, Volume One: His Hour, The Unholy Three, Tower of Lies, Lights of Old Broadway, The Big Parade, Ben-Hur, The Torrent, La Boheme, Beverly of Graustark, Road to Mandalay, The Scarlet Letter, The Temptress, Bardelys the Magnificent, Flesh and the Devil, Tell It to the Marines, Student Prince, The Red Mill, Quality Street, Love, The Divine Woman, The Crowd, Trail of '98, Laugh, Clown, Laugh, The Actress, Woman of Affairs, Broadway Melody, Trial of Mary Dugan, Wild Orchids. Volume Two: Madame X, Last of Mrs. Cheyney, Hallelujah, Their Own Desire, Anna Christie, The Big House, Let Us Be Gay, Billy the Kid, Min and Bill, Inspriration, The Secret Six, Strange Interlude, Smilin' Through, Rip Tide, The Barretts of Wimpole Street, The Merry Widow, No More Ladies, China Seas, A Night at the Opera, Mutiny on the Bounty, Camille, Romeo and Juliet, and The Good Earth. The remaining twelve photographs are labeled "Publicity Stills" and feature Thalberg with Louis B. Mayer and other production executives and cast members. Covers exhibit minor scuffing and the photographs remain in overall very fine condition. A monumental two-volume set of stills worthy of inclusion into the world's finest collections of cinema history. Thalberg was known as "The Boy Wonder" for his youth and uncanny ability to select scripts, create and groom new stars, and make both high quality and profitable films on an international level. Noteworthy actors in Thalberg films are Lon Chaney, Ramon Novarro, John Gilbert, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, and Norma Shearer (whom Thalberg married in 1927). Thalberg became head of production at the Universal Film Manufacturing Co. at the age of 20 and three years later was vice president and head of production for Louis B. Mayer. A year later, Mayer's studio became part of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) with Thalberg assuming the position of vice president and supervisor of production. Over the next eight years MGM became Hollywood's most prestigious film studio, with Thalberg personally supervising the studio's top productions. Sadly, just six months after accepting this Best Picture Oscar, Thalberg died of pneumonia at the age of 37. Following his death, Thalberg was called the world's "foremost figure in motion-picture history," and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences instituted the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, which is given out periodically to producers whose body of work reflects the highest of filmmaking standards. Provenance: From the family of Irving Thalberg and never before offered for sale.

Heritage Auctions provides as much information as possible but strongly encourages in-person inspection. Condition statements are offered as general guidance only, not as complete representations of fact, and do not constitute a warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted but may be visible in the photos, which are considered part of the condition report. Lots estimated at $1,000 or less are not de-framed for inspection, and we may be unable to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and is not liable for damage to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or artwork that has shifted in the frame. All lots are sold "AS IS" under our Terms & Conditions of Auction.