PATRICE MUNSEL - ORIGINAL ART SIGNED 02/21/1948 CO-SIGNED BY: DOROTHY A. AHRENS - HFSID 155456

PATRICE MUNSEL and DOROTHY AHRENS
Three original pencil drawings by Dorothy Ahrens of Patrice Munsel
Original Art Signed: "Patrice Munsel/Feb. 21, 1948". Three pencil drawings, 10¾x14 overall, images 1¾x2, 3x3¾, and 3¼x3½ (one surface). Also signed by the artist, Dorothy Ahrens: "D.A. Ahrens./1948" at the middle image. Beneath the upper left image, Ahrens has written and signed: "D.A.A./Gilda in 'Rigoletto'" and beneath the upper right image:"D.A.A./Lucia in ''Lucia Di Lammermoor'". Patrice Munsel (1925-2016) was an operatic soprano who, at age 18, was the youngest singer (and, by extension, the youngest soprano) accepted at the Metropolitan Opera of New York. By the age of 27, she had starred in more than 12 roles with the Metropolitan Opera. Affectionately known as "Princess Pat", she was admired for her many talents, which include singing, ballet, tap-dancing and even rhythmic whistling. She eventually married Robert Schuler and the couple had four children. The gifted singer also made a foray into acting: She appeared as Nellie Melba in 1953's film version of Melba and with Alfred Drake in Naughty Marietta (1955). She and her husband went on to write a book about their shared experiences: The Diva and I. DOROTHY AHRENS sketched many popular musical talents of the 1940s, including Ted Lewis and Kate Smith, then invited them to autograph her art. Minor crease at upper edge. Lightly soiled at left edge. Otherwise, fine condition.