ephemera

James Dean Personal Notes and Doodle

"I am selling a personal item from James Dean," says the eBay seller of this remarkable piece of James Dean ephemera.

The seller continues: "He was known to write notes and phone numbers on the back of envelopes, papers, etc. This is a hand-written note with a models' name, Terry Ray, and a phone number. I did some research to find out who she is, and actually has an interesting story. She is the actress, "Ellen Drew", but was billed as "Terry Ray." While working at an ice cream parlor, customer William Demarest took notice of her and was instrumental in having her put under contract at Paramount Studios in 1936. Initially, billed as Terry Ray, she was groomed in starlet bits for two years until finally given a role she could sink her teeth into in the Bing Crosby musical, Sing You Sinners. Her hair was changed from brunette to auburn (sometimes blonde) and her moniker changed from Terry Ray to Ellen Drew. Brighter roles came her way with, If I were King, which clinched her celebrity, Women Without Names, and Buck Benny Rides Again. Married four times, including writer/producer Sy Bartlett, she left one son and several grandchildren when she passed away in 2003 at age 88 in Palm Desert, California. He also wrote down where she lived which was in North Hollywood, but he wrote, "North Hobbywood."

The seller adds, "It has a doodle which he was known for doing. If you look in other books you will see other doodles that look similar to the one here. It was written and drawn in pencil, and is in a protective plastic case. The history of the item is that when James Dean died, his best friend went to his house to collect as many valuables he could due to people already starting to steal from his house. That friend was Lew Bracker, and he is listed in many books, but also the first documentary about James Dean from 1956. There is an original letter included with this item from James Dean's friend, Joe Hyams, who explains the history and also wrote, "Little Boy Lost." It is an original letter, and is in a protective casing as well. The reason why this is special is due to it coming from Dean personally, but also the model, "Terry Ray", he briefly dated, was unknown at the time, and is not mentioned in any books, as no one ever knew about it. It is discovering a new story with James Dean, and having the proof to tell it."

Finally, the seller says, "I would like this to go to someone who will appreciate it as much as I have."

This item is going for big dollars. To bid, click on the link in the first sentence of this post.

Josephine Baker NAACP 1951 Luncheon Menu

Up for bid on eBay is the 4-page menu and program for the luncheon honoring Josephine Baker, which took place on May 20, 1951.

The menu was produced by the New York Branch of the NAACP. The luncheon to honor Baker was held at the Hotel Theresa in the Skyline Room in Harlem.

To see inside the program, click the link in above.

Korea Okinawa Hokkaido Ainu Japanese Book 1786

A Japanese book from 1786 is up for bid on eBay. There are 31 pages of illustrations like the one featured in the post.

Click the link in the first sentence to explore further.

Web Voice Sensation Ted Williams' Tent on eBay

If you win this eBay auction, you'll be the proud owner of Ted Williams' tent. 

"This is the tent he was staying in while homeless," says the seller. "The tent in question was shared with another man named Victor Houston. Victor is still homeless and part of the proceeds raised from this tent will be directly distributed to Victor. Also, a portion will go to Lima Rescue Mission.  The Tent is more of a shelter that Ted and Victor were staying in. It is basically a very large Greenish Tarp-like object that has another tarp underneath it and is held up by several pieces of wood. This would be a good promotional item that will no doubt generate some publicity for the buyer if the buyer so chooses."

Even if you don't bid on the tent, click the link above to see the video of Ted showing it off, plus much more the seller includes that you don't want to miss.

Greenpaper Offers Postcard Calendar and Lucile Calendar

Our friend, Mary Green, over at Greenpaper loves a good calendar. She is now offering two new ones in her e-store that correspond to 2011. There is a postcard calendar and the Lucile calendar.

Mary says the Lucile link includes an interesting history of the item. You'll also be amazed at how inexpensive these are to aquire.

 

Lake Superior Copper Company Trustee Mining Report 1844

Up for bid on eBay is this remarkable 19th century mining manuscript, penned in Boston on Nov. 14th, 1844, by David Henshaw (1791-1852), one of the company's founding trustees.

The seller says, "Report was written entirely in Henshaw's own hand, and is also signed by him. Founded circa 1844, the Lake Superior Copper Company was the first company to formally engage in mining activities on the Keweenaw Peninsula in the northern-most part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Commencing in 1842 and lasting until about 1850, this was the first copper boom in United States history. This original manuscript, in which Henshaw refers to himself in first person, provides a detailed and compelling narrative of the company's formative period. Titled "Report of Trustees" and likely prepared for the benefit of shareholders and investors, document references other founding trustees including Col. Jones and Col. Gratiot, and Dr. Charles Jackson, the first to evaluate the mining potential of the property. Report furnishes a candid assessment in which operational challenges are discussed along with finances, geology, potential value of copper to be mined, etc. A remarkable manuscript documenting one of the earliest mining companies in America's first copper boom."

The listing includes excerpts from the report as well as images from the interior pages. To view the full listing, click the link above.

Alfred Cheney Johnston Signed Ziegfeld Follies Photograph

Up for bid is perhaps the rarest Ziegfeld Follies tableau, according to the eBay seller offering it.

The seller says, "Signed and printed by Alfred Cheney Johnston in 1921, this is perhaps the ultimate Ziegfeld follies photograph. The dramatic large format photograph features six artfully posed Ziegfeld girls featured in a stage tableau simulation of a Follies production. This is the original exhibition photograph created by the artist for the follies, and one of few images he took featuring more than one subject (perhaps the only image he ever created with more than three figures featured). The provenance links directly back to the estate of Alfred Cheney Johnston, and this was found in Johnston's studio in Oxford CT where it had remained in the artist's personal collection. Spectacularly beautiful and exceptionally rare."

Click the link in the first paragraph for more details including an in-depth biography of the artist.

J.P. Morgan's Corsair Yatch Captain's Diary 1889

A remarkable 180-page diary of A.S. Haskel, Captain of the Yacht Corsair--describing trips with J. P. Morgan and his mistresses--is up for bid on eBay.

The Corsair was owned by J.P. Morgan. The diary describes the Captain's day-to-day activities in keeping the yacht up, along with all the trips that Morgan took, including many times talking about several of his mistresses that he makes overnight stays with, according to the listing.

"Some of them are well known," says the seller, "and others I couldn't find much about, but an incredible piece of history related to one of America's greatest businessmen. It is all handwritten and is in very good condition."

To read excerpts from the diary, click the link above.

Original TV BJ and The Bear Door from Kenworth Truck

Up for auction on eBay is the original BJ and The Bear passenger side door that was removed from the #1 Kenworth K100 Aerodyne used in the hit 70's TV series.

According to the seller, the door was removed during the restoration of this truck.  The door is well used and would really only be good for hanging on your shop wall as a display piece.  The door shell has no glass or internals but is still wearing its original paint and "Billie Joe McKay" decal from the show.  This would be a great addition for any TV prop collector or a Kenworth collector.  This would also look nice hanging up in a Kenworth Dealership or repair shop.  

The seller says, "This item is for a serious collector only.  Stuff like this very rarely comes up for sale.  This is your chance to own a piece of television history.  Again, this auction is for the passenger door shell only and will come with a COA."

I never watched BJ and The Bear, but if you were a fan you'll want to click the link in the first paragraph to learn more.

Vintage Paper Eye Chart Optical 1930

A man went to an eye specialist to get his eyes tested and asked, "Doctor, will I be able to read after wearing glasses?"

"Yes, of course," said the doctor, "why not!"

"Oh! How nice it would be," said the patient with joy, "I have been illiterate for so long."

If you think that's funny, check out this eBay auction for a vintage cardboard eye chart. It was produced by American Optical and has No. 1930 on the bottom.