Hollywood Golden Age Autograph Book

Up for consideration on eBay is an autograph book from Hollywood's Golden Age. 

The seller describes it this way:

As a child growing up in California in the 1940's, my mother's mother had dreams of making my mother a movie star, much to my mother's dismay. Although my mother never became a star in Hollywood, she did spend time at studios, played extras in a few movies, met quite a few stars and got this personal memento that I am putting up for sale for her. I actually had found the autograph book in an old trunk in one of the barns at my parents a few years back. I showed it to my mother, but, alas, she wasn't that interested. When I went to visit this past summer, it was sitting on a side table where anything could happen to it!  (There are the occasional grandchildren and great-grandchildren running around the place). I suggested she put it in a safe spot, but she is not overly sentimental about her brief Hollywood days, so she asked if I could sell it for her. So, here it is. 

The book itself is made of leather.  On the front is written 'Autograph' with a pen under it and on the back of the book are my mother's initials.

I will describe each autograph the best I can and write out what each autograph says.

The first two autographs, Edna Mae Oliver and Henry Fonda, are on a small piece of paper in the front of the book, written on either side. The page is torn in half. Both are written in pencil.

• To Iola Edna Mae Oliver
• For Iola  Best Wishes  Henry Fonda

The next autograph, Claudette Colbert, was written on a small piece of paper and glued into the book. The page it is glued to is well worn and has a corner missing.

• To Iola  Best Wishes Claudette Colbert

The next autograph is Chief Bigtree. It was written on the back of a business card and glued into the book.  Also written in pencil.

• Chief Bigtree

J. Carrol Naish signed the next page in ink.

• To Iola – With all good wishes for lots and lots of success, which I am sure you will have. Sincerely J Carrol Naish Aug 28 41

This next autograph is rather tough for me…I'm not sure if it says 'Beth Clapton' or 'Beth Clopton'. My mother was an extra in The Corsican Brothers and this autograph may be from another extra in the movie. This is written in pen.

• 8/28/41  Here's wishing you health, wealth, and happiness, Iola dear. I'm happy to have met you here on the Corsican Brothers set, and I hope we'll work to-gether again some day. Sincerely, Beth Clapton (Clopton?)

The next autograph is Trixie Friganza, primarily a Broadway actress, also known as 'The Champagne Girl".  Also written in pen.

• Sept. 17th 1941  To Iola "Five Little Words" by Dorothy Phillip  There are five little words I'd like you to know. They are Pardon me, Thank you, and please. Use them quite often wherever you go. There are few words more useful than these. Those five little words have a power that money nor fame can give. So, commit them to memory this very hour and use them as long as you live. They are, pardon me, thank you + please.  Lovingly, Trixie Friganza

Finally, 20 pages after Trixie's autograph is the last autograph in the book.  It's Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and it is written in pen.

• D. Fairbanks Jr.

Search for books about the Golden Age of Hollywood.