ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 1937 - HFSID 287130

ROBERT RIPLEY

Inscribed photo in pith helmet, mounted on cardboard, linking "Believe It or Not" to its sponsor, Huskies cereal, source of a famous blooper on his radio program

Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Ed King/With All The Best!/Ripley/Believe It or Not/Huskies Program 1937". B/w, 8x10 image, mounted on 9¾x12 cardboard (2 surfaces). From 1918 to 1949, Robert Leroy Ripley (1890-1949) traveled the globe, visiting 198 countries to collect strange facts and oddities that he featured in his newspaper column and a network radio show, "Believe It or Not!" Ripley produced his feature cartoons for 31 years -- never missing a day! Ripley received many suggestions from his readers; these were always verified by his research assistant before appearing in print. Ripley began a TV show shortly before his death. Ripley Entertainment still prospers today, producing programs and managing museums and other sites. Huskies cereal, Ripley's radio sponsor, was the source of a famous gaffe. Lou Gehrig, hired by General Foods as a spokesman, was asked by Ripley what cereal made him so strong. Gehrig blurted out, "Wheaties." Gehrig, embarrassed, offered to return his fee, but Ripley and General Foods were delighted by the national publicity. Gehrig returned to the show, and got it right this time: "Huskies. And I've tried them all." Corners lightly creased and worn. Mounting residue at bottom edge of image. Otherwise, fine condition.  Cardboard worn and creased. Moisture stains and pencil notes (unknown hand) on verso.