Photoplayers Club Album with Vintage Signed (95+) Photos by Luminaries of the Silent Era (ca. 1915)....

Description

Photoplayers Club Album with Vintage Signed (95+) Photos by Luminaries of the Silent Era (ca. 1915). Vintage original black leather covered photo album with 98 of the 103 photos autographed. The tarnished silver diamond shaped engraved plate affixed to the cover reads, "Souvenir of the Gala Ball of the Photoplayers Club Sat Feb 13th 1915 Shrine Auditorium Los Angeles Cal." Highlights among the signed photos include William Desmond Taylor, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, Mack Sennett, Thomas Ince, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Mabel Normand, Wallace Reid, D.W. Griffith, Cecil B. DeMille, Jack Pickford, Tom Mix, Theda Bara, William S. Hart, Ruth Roland, Norma Talmadge, Marie Dressler, Gloria Swanson, and Syd Chaplin. The Photoplayers Club of Los Angeles was a social club for West Coast film industry professionals in the early 1910s, known for hosting extravagant balls and events. According to the newspaper article adhered to the page next to Photoplayers Club President, Dell Henderson, the book of signed photos was auctioned for $7,500 to benefit the Red Cross Fund. The 21.5" x 12" expandible binder retains the 4-metal corner covers on the right side and the 2-metal posts at the left side. All of the black heavy-stock pages have detached from the album posts. Photos exhibit silvering, toning and age with most signatures still bold (D.W. Griffith signature is significantly faded). The signature on the Charlie Chaplin photograph is secretarial, and one of the two Tom Mix photos has a facsimile signature. Most photos remain affixed to the loose pages, those that have come unglued are still present. The top cover has torn away, as has the taffeta lining (both are still present). The leather exhibits cracks and wear. For a full account of the autographed photos, please see the online extended description. Owing to the rarity of several signatures in this album, the third-party authenticator was unable to render a conclusive opinion. This lot is therefore offered as is.

More Information: To the best of our abilities, the signed photos have been identified as:
Dell Henderson, President of the Photoplayers club
Wm. Desmond Taylor, Wallace E. Reid, George H. Milford, Henry B. Walthall, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Charles Chaplin (secretarial signature), William S. Hart, Jack Pickford, Olive Thomas, Robert E. Harron, Mae Marsh, Mack Sennett, D.W. Griffith, Thomas Ince, Cecil B. DeMille, Marie Walcamp, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, Bessie Barnsdale, Carlyle Blackwell, Ann Ling, Ruth Roland, Lillian Gish, Dorothy Gish, Margarita Fisher, Edna Purviance, Grace Cunard, Theodore Roberts, Norma Talmadge, Constance Talmadge, Bessie Eyton, Herbert Rawlinson, William Farnum, Dustin Farnum, Robert Leonard, Mae Murray, Marie Dressler, "Toni" W. Santschi, Gladys W. Brochroll, Louise Glaum, Charlie Murray, Theda Bara, Doris Pawn, Rupert Julian, Tom Mix (pre-printed), Beverly Bayne, Bryam Washburn, Katherine McDonald, Mary MacDonald MacLaren, Joe C. O'Kerrigan, Ella Hale, Charles Ray, House Peters, Vivian Martin, May Allison, Syd Chaplin, Louise Huff, Jack Holt, Mabel Norman, George Beban, B. Sweet, Fanny Ward, Ford Sterling, Ettinger, Florence Vichor, Gertrude Selby, Tom Mix, Virginia Lee Cerbin, Francis Carpenter, Agnes Vernon, Lee Moran, Eddie Lyons, Billie Rhodes, Fay Fincher, Winifred Kingston, Marjorie Daw, Helen C. Clifford, Mildred Harris, Gloria Swanson, George Walsh, Ann Pennington, Billie "Ritchri", Dorothy Phillips, Viola Dana, Charles Clary, Bill Desmond, Earle Williams, Edith Story, Jewel Carmen, Wm. H. Crane, Katharyn Williamson, Helen Jerome Eddy, Frank Kelmarn, and Amile Malaine.


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.