GENE AUTRY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 257332

GENE AUTRY
Signed b/w Republic Pictures publicity photo of Gene Autry sitting on a hitching post with his horse Champion, Jr.
Inscribed photograph signed "To/Howard/Gene Autry". B/w, 10x8, 9¼x7 image, one surface. Republic Pictures publicity photograph, captioned at lower margin. ©Republic Pictures Corporation. Based on the horse's blaze, this horse is named either Champion, Jr. or Lindy, who was also billed as Champion, Jr. Autry's first horse was named Champion and can be distinguished from his later horses by a white blaze that stretches out over both eyes. Autry (1907-1998, born Orvon Grover Autry in Tioga, Texas), the original singing cowboy, appeared in his first western in 1934. He was the only western star to be listed among the top ten moneymakers from 1938 to 1942. In 1942, Autry was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song for Be Honest With Me from his film Ridin' on a Rainbow. The Gene Autry Show was televised on CBS from 1950 to 1956, and The Adventures of Champion, which starred Autry's horse, also ran on CBS from 1955 to 1956. Scheduled opposite the popular series, Rin Tin Tin, it was cancelled in mid-season. Autry's business interests included a radio and TV chain, ranches, oil wells, a flying school, a music publishing company (he wrote 200 songs including "Here Comes Santa Claus") and the California Angels baseball team. Lightly toned, soiled, creased and bowed, otherwise in fine condition.