FREDDIE BARTHOLOMEW
The famed 1930s actor, considered one of Hollywood's biggest child stars ever, signs his name for a fan in black ink
Autograph sentiment signed: "from/ Freddie Bartholomew" in black ink. 5x3 index card. Sentiment appears to have been originally inscribed, toned stains reading: "To/ Bob Bowing's friend/ with best wishes" in Bartholomew's hand. Actor Freddie Bartholomew (1924-1992), was one of the most popular child actors in the history of film. Bartholomew, who made his film debut in Toyland in 1930, made become a star when he appeared as "David Copperfield as a child" in the 1935 film, The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, and Observation of David Copperfield, the Younger (popularly known simply as David Copperfield). Bartholomew would go on to appear in such films as Anna Karenina (1935), Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936), Captains Courageous (1937), Kidnapped (1938) and Swiss Family Robinson (1940). When his salary soared to $2,500 a week, Bartholomew as second only to Shirley Temple as the highest-paid child actor. Last seen in the 1951 film, St. Benny the Dip, Bartholomew also made three appearances on television (1949-1950). He was also known for the 1937 court case in which his parents and his aunt, who had raised him, battled for his custody. That and other legal actions took the major portion of the salaries Bartholomew had earned, and, after a stint in the Air Force during WWII, he went to work for an advertising agency. Toned and soiled. Stains throughout. Corners rounded. Mounting residue on verso. Otherwise, fine condition.