CLINT EASTWOOD Contract signed the year he reprised his "Dirty Harry" role and first directed a Western. Document signed: "Clint Eastwood", 2p (front and verso), 8½X13. Beverly Hills, California, 1973 January 11. Signed on verso. Eastwood retains the William Morris Agency as his exclusive film agent for a period of 3 years. Originally specialized in Westerns, beginning with the Rawhide, Eastwood became a major star in the "Spaghetti Westerns" of Sergio Leone, beginning with A Fistful of Dollars (1964). While continuing to make Westerns, Eastwood proved a popular, hard-boiled detective as well, beginning with Dirty Harry (1971). He can play sensitive roles as well, as opposite Meryl Streep in The Bridges of Madison County, which he also directed (1995). Eastwood has continued to succeed as an older actor in films like In the Line of Fire (1995) and Space Cowboys (2000). He has also proven to be an outstanding director, winning Oscars for Unforgiven (1991) and Million Dollar Baby (2004) and getting another nomination for Mystic River (2003). read more...

ANNIE OAKLEY Her rare, handwritten letter to family members, discussing her health and family finances. signed as "Missie." ALS: "Affect Missie/xxx/xxx", 2¼ pages, 6x9½. Cambridge, Maryland, no year October 11. On letterhead of The Dixon to "Dear Fern And Sister". In full, with original spelling and grammar: "Yours rec. Jimmie is here with me. Will forclose the Mortgage on the Mag[illegible] farm. Will turn it all over to Calvin Harrington for I am to much in to bother & I would love to have A Lawyer to make out the necessary papers so I will just turn it all over to him. But I will stay here & rest for A while. We have hot & cold water, plenty clean linen & food not bad here. Want to visit the Andrews before leaving. Jimmie brought my breakfast up this morning my heart is bad, but I will rest more after he goes south, And maby he will also. She has climbed the stairs 10 times to day & it is 11 Am now. He loves you. Bonnie, Irene, and Bessie, far more then his own flesh & blood, and would do more for either of you, of this I am sure. read more...

W. C. FIELDS Three-page autograph letter to his mistress Carlotta Monti, signed by Fields as "Continental Claude", calling Hitler "full of mierda" and confiding, "like the three monkeys I see nothing, know nothing, and won't drink anything 'cept Beer." Autograph Letter signed: "Continental Claude", 3 pages, 8½x11. Bel Air, Labor Day. To "Katrinka & Claudia". ["Katrinka" was Fields' pet name for Carlotta Monti.] In full: "I suppose you are wondering why you have not received your packard as yet. And telling your friends I am not a man of my word. Give me time and I can explain anything. Practically all nations will be in the war by the time this missive arrives. But you, unfortunately for yourself contended the whole world would be at war. It was then I accepted your wager 'I'll bet you the whole world will be at war by 1940. If not you give me a packard.' It was a bet made in all fairness. I forget what I was to receive had you lost. However all is fair in something or other and war. I will pay off if it becomes real serious. I firmly believe it will be of short duration, in which case you will receive a small packard. read more...

WILLIAM F. 'BUFFALO BILL' CODY The man known for his showmanship and scouting skills signed this handwritten letter concerning his financial issues. Various close associates liquidate Cody's assets so that he can pay his creditors. Autograph Letter Signed: "W. C. Cody" one page both sides, 8.5 x 11, Chicago Shan-Kive and Round-Up letterhead. Dated September 18, 1916. Letter to his attorney Henry Hersey regarding his grim financial situation. In Part: “They can explain this situation to you better than I care for they have not kept me well footed. But if you do not hear from them, I'll write you all I know. First Link got judgement for about $11,800. And sold the Irma hotel and four lots and bid it in him self. I have until Jan. 15th 1917. In which to reclaim the property. There separately he sold the fixtures, paintings, etc - I furnished the money and had W.L. Walls bid them in for me. Then Link advertised and sold a hotel of mine called Pahaska Tepee. I furnished the money and had Walls bid that in for me.” read more...

ANNIE OAKLEY Check signed with her married name, Annie Butler, filled out by her to her grand-daughter (by adoption), with an additional note in Annie's hand on verso. Check signed: "Annie Butler", 6½x2¾. Newark, New Jersey, 1923 June 15. Check #135, drawn on the Newark & Essex Banking Co. payable to Elizabeth Hall for $50. Endorsed ""Elizabeth Hall". Handwritten note in Oakley's hand on verso: "Board to F. E. Butlers Grand Daughter. 22 Weikel Ave. Merchantville, N. J. Known as Niece". Annie Oakley (1860-1926, born Phoebe Anne Moses in Darke County, Ohio), was born to a Quaker family and began to shoot rabbits and quail at age nine. Within five years, she was a breadwinner for her family as a markswoman, and, at age 15, she saved her family's farm with income she had earned from shooting game. On August 23, 1876, at age 16, Annie married Frank Butler, a vaudeville performer who became her partner. Annie's self-effacing personality (on and off stage) made her a popular performer. In 1885, the Butlers joined Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, where Annie was a star for 17 years. read more...

W. C. FIELDS 11x14 sepia photo of Fields in the stage version of his skit, "The Caledonian Express," signed and inscribed to author and publisher Arthur Samuels. Field's inscription includes one of his famous lines from the stage and screen skit: "You'll ha to git oot/o' the compartment." Oversized Photograph inscribed and signed: "To My friend/Arthur -you'll ha to git oot/o' the compartment,/from his friend/Bill Fields/Oct 11 - 1928." Sepia, 11x14. Remarkable studio portrait inscribed to Arthur Samuels, who was involved with the publishing of "Ladies Home Journal" and authored Poppy. Half-view left profile by Hal Phype. Fields has quoted one of his lines from the Earl Carroll's Vanities sketch "The Caledonian Express" (1928), in which the legendary comedian played four Scottish characters trying to remove an uninvited guest from a train compartment. Fields repeated the skit in the film Follow the Boys (1945), but that time played the intruder. Samuels' Poppy made Fields a Broadway star in 1923, and he reprised the role in two film versions. Surface creases at upper right corner with fraying at that corner, else fine, handsome and rare. read more...

W. C. FIELDS Very youthful 4½x6½ image in bow tie and stiff collar Photograph signed: "W. C. Fields" B/w, 4½x6½. W. C. Fields (1879-1946) began entertaining as an amusement park juggler at the age of fourteen. He was a vaudeville headliner before he was twenty and toured Europe in 1901, giving a command performance at Buckingham Palace. His Broadway debut in The Ham Tree (1905) was followed by appearances in the Ziegfeld Follies (1915-1921) and in George White's Scandals (1922). Fields starred in Poppy on Broadway (1923) and the next year made his first film, Janice Meredith (1924). Fields' style, verbal rather than visual, and his irascible con-man philosophy made him a favorite, especially with the advent of sound, where his raspy voice provided the final touch to his comedy. He starred in movies including My Little Chickadee (1940) and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941). Nobody contributed more wry quotations ("Anyone who hates children and animals can't be all bad.") to American folklore. Signature in poor contrast but legible. Light silvering. Surface creases. Corners worn and chipped. Ink stamp on verso. Multiple pencil marks (unknown hand) on verso. read more...

RUDOLPH VALENTINO The foremost sex symbol of the 1920s pens a letter to a fan to express his admiration for a story told by her, signed in green ink Autograph Letter Signed: “Rudolph Valentino” in green ink. 7¼x10½. One page. Written on personal letterhead. In full: “Dear Mrs. Lindsay, Please permit me to express my appreciation of your splendid story in Monday's 'Express'. In looking forward to review our acquaintance at an early date permit me to present you my kindest regards”. Rudolph Valentino (1895-1926) was the great romantic screen idol of the 1920s, the epitome of the "Latin lover." The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse had opened on March 5, 1921, followed by Uncharted Seas on April 21, 1921, and The Conquering Power on July 8, 1921. Camille opened on September 11, 1921 and The Sheik opened on October 30, 1921. He was a very busy actor in 1921. read more...

W. C. FIELDS Signing as "The great man/Continental Claude", he pens a letter to his mistress Carlotta in New York Autograph Letter signed: "The great man/Continental Claude", 1p, 8½x10¼. On lightweight airmail paper. No place, no date, but with original envelope postmarked Los Angeles, Hollywood, December 27, 1939. Addressed by Fields to Miss C. Douglas [Carlotta Monti], Hotel Marie Antoinette, Broadway at 66 St., New York City. Torn flap. Creased, soiled and worn. Unrelated notes on verso (unknown hand). In full: "Something or other was at ah La Cava's Morales you know her and she enquired about you. I told her you were making the grade in N.Y. That you had been on here to attend your case but returned. She expressed regrets she had not seen you. She made La Cava a sweater. I think I admired the sweater and she suggested making me one. Being continental and never forgetting the days of chivalry I accepted graciously. She evidently knows Margo and they are coming some afternoon to measure me. Do you think I should order a pair if drawers too? This thing is running into a book, so will saw off. Keep well- and think for pastime. Always my best and most important wishes. M.M. sends Love." Creased, folds, lightly nicked edges. W.C. read more...