Basil Rathbone Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
BASIL RATHBONE
Born: June 13, 1892 in Johannesburg, South Africa
Died: July 21, 1967 in New York City, New York
Basil Rathbone was born on June 13, 1892, in Johannesburg, Transvaal, South African Republic and he was a British actor widely known for his portrayals of Sherlock Holmes in a series of films during the 1930s and 1940s.
Rathbone moved to England with his family during childhood and was educated at Repton School. He began his acting career on the British stage in 1911. During World War I, he served in the British Army with the Liverpool Scottish and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery.
He made his film debut in silent cinema in the 1920s and transitioned to sound films in the early 1930s. His films would include, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), David Copperfield (1935). He was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his roles in Romeo and Juliet (1936) and If I Were King (1938). Rathbone is best known for portraying Sherlock Holmes in 14 films produced between 1939 and 1946, beginning with The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. He also portrayed Holmes in numerous radio adaptations during this period.
Rathbone moved to England with his family during childhood and was educated at Repton School. He began his acting career on the British stage in 1911. During World War I, he served in the British Army with the Liverpool Scottish and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery.
He made his film debut in silent cinema in the 1920s and transitioned to sound films in the early 1930s. His films would include, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), David Copperfield (1935). He was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his roles in Romeo and Juliet (1936) and If I Were King (1938). Rathbone is best known for portraying Sherlock Holmes in 14 films produced between 1939 and 1946, beginning with The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. He also portrayed Holmes in numerous radio adaptations during this period.
1968-Autopsia-de-un-fantasma (Performer), 1966-Summer-Fun (Performer), 1963-The-Comedy-of-Terrors (Performer), 1962-Tales-of-Terror (Performer), 1961-Victoria-Regina (Performer), 1961-The-Black-Cat (Performer), 1961-Mystic-Prophecies-and-Nostradamus (Performer), 1949-1950-The-Chevrolet-Tele-Theatre (Performer), 1949-The-Wind-in-the-Willows (Performer), 1949-The-Adventures-of-Ichabod-and-Mr.-Toad (Performer), 1944-Bathing-Beauty (Performer), 1943-Crazy-House (Performer), 1943-Sherlock-Holmes-Faces-Death (Performer), 1942-Crossroads (Performer), 1942-Fingers-at-the-Window (Performer), 1939-Tower-of-London (Performer), 1939-The-Sun-Never-Sets (Performer), 1938-If-I-Were-King (Performer), 1938-The-Adventures-of-Marco-Polo (Performer), 1937-Make-a-Wish (Performer), 1937-A-Night-of-Terror (Performer), 1936-Private-Number (Performer), 1935-Kind-Lady (Performer), 1926-The-Great-Deception (Performer), 1986-The-Rose-King (Other), 1965-The-Celebrity-Game (in person), 1959-Time-to-Remember (in person), 1958-Make-Me-Laugh (in person), 1954-The-Name's-the-Same (in person), 1952-Your-Lucky-Clue (in person), 1940-Screen-Snapshots-Series-19,-No-10 (in person), 1945-Screen-Snapshots-Series-25,-No.-4:-Hollywood-Celebrations (in person), 1998-Universal-Horror (Other), 1997-Un-siecle-d'ecrivains (Other), 1966-The-Son-of-Frankenstein (Other), 1954-1956-Shower-of-Stars (Performer), 1986-The-Great-Mouse-Detective (Other), 1976-That's-Hollywood (Other), 1964-Suspense (Performer), 1962-The-Magic-Sword (Performer), 1962-Pontius-Pilate (Performer), 1960-The-Christophers (Performer), 1958-Fredric-March-Presents-Tales-from-Dickens (Performer), 1956-1957-Kraft-Theatre (Performer), 1957-The-Lark (Performer), 1956-Screen-Directors-Playhouse (Performer), 1955-The-Court-Jester (Performer), 1955-Star-Tonight (Performer), 1955-Science-Fiction-Theatre (Performer), 1953-The-Motorola-Television-Hour (Performer), 1951-1953-Suspense (Performer), 1946-Heartbeat (Performer), 1945-Pursuit-to-Algiers (Performer), 1944-Frenchman's-Creek (Performer), 1944-The-Pearl-of-Death (Performer), 1941-International-Lady (Performer), 1941-The-Black-Cat (Performer), 1941-The-Mad-Doctor (Performer), 1939-The-Adventures-of-Sherlock-Holmes (Performer), 1938-The-Adventures-of-Robin-Hood (Performer), 1936-The-Garden-of-Allah (Performer), 1935-Captain-Blood (Performer), 1935-A-Tale-of-Two-Cities (Performer), 1933-Loyalties (Performer), 1933-One-Precious-Year (Performer), 1930-A-Lady-Surrenders (Performer), 1930-The-Flirting-Widow (Performer), 1930-A-Notorious-Affair (Performer), 1930-The-Bishop-Murder-Case (Performer), 1923/II-The-School-for-Scandal (Performer), 1921-The-Fruitful-Vine (Performer), 1963-1965-The-Merv-Griffin-Show (in person), 1958-The-Betty-White-Show (in person), 1957-Person-to-Person (in person), 1951-Penthouse-Party (in person), 1951-What's-My-Line (in person), 1950-Ford-Star-Revue (in person), 1942-Hedda-Hopper's-Hollywood-No.-6 (in person), 2011-Leslie-Howard:-The-Man-Who-Gave-a-Damn (Other), 1962-Hollywood-Hist-o-Rama (Other), 2013-Ninja-the-Mission-Force (Other), 1942-Sherlock-Holmes-and-the-Secret-Weapon (Performer), 1940-Screen-Snapshots-Series-19,-No.-5:-Art-and-Artists (in person), 1957-1960-The-Arthur-Murray-Party (in person), 1995-Biography (Other), 2010-The-Naked-Archaeologist (Other), 1966-The-Ghost-in-the-Invisible-Bikini (Performer), 1966-Queen-of-Blood (Performer), 1965-Dr.-Kildare (Performer), 1965-Voyage-to-the-Prehistoric-Planet (Performer), 1965-Burke's-Law (Performer), 1958-The-Last-Hurrah (Performer), 1958-The-DuPont-Show-of-the-Month (Performer), 1957-The-United-States-Steel-Hour (Performer), 1956-The-Alcoa-Hour (Performer), 1956-The-Black-Sleep (Performer), 1955-We're-No-Angels (Performer), 1954-Love-Story (Performer), 1954-The-Philip-Morris-Playhouse (Performer), 1953-Season's-Greetings (Performer), 1953-Danger (Performer), 1953-Broadway-Television-Theatre (Performer), 1951-1953-Lux-Video-Theatre (Performer), 1951-Lights-Out (Performer), 1950-Nash-Airflyte-Theatre (Performer), 1945-The-Woman-in-Green (Performer), 1944-The-Scarlet-Claw (Performer), 1944-The-Spider-Woman (Performer), 1943-Above-Suspicion (Performer), 1943-Sherlock-Holmes-in-Washington (Performer), 1941-Paris-Calling (Performer), 1940-The-Mark-of-Zorro (Performer), 1940-Rhythm-on-the-River (Performer), 1939-Son-of-Frankenstein (Performer), 1938-The-Dawn-Patrol (Performer), 1937-Tovarich (Performer), 1937-Confession (Performer), 1935-The-Last-Days-of-Pompeii (Performer), 1930-The-Lady-of-Scandal (Performer), 1925-The-Masked-Bride (Performer), 1924-Trouping-with-Ellen (Performer), 1921-Innocent (Performer), 1951-The-Frank-Sinatra-Show (in person), 1950-Vienna-Art-Treasures (in person), 1939-Screen-Snapshots-Series-18,-No.-10 (in person), 1938-For-Auld-Lang-Syne (in person), 1938-Breakdowns-of-1938 (in person), 1997-20th-Century-Fox:-The-First-50-Years (Other), 1991-Frankenstein:-A-Cinematic-Scrapbook (Other), 2005-Captain-Blood:-A-Swashbuckler-Is-Born (Other), 2010-Time-to-Remember (Other), 1964-Hollywood-and-the-Stars (Other), 1961-Here's-Hollywood (in person), 1967-Hillbillys-in-a-Haunted-House (Performer), 1967-Soldier-in-Love (Performer), 1962-Two-Before-Zero (Performer), 1956-1960-The-Red-Skelton-Hour (Performer), 1958-Hans-Brinker-and-the-Silver-Skates (Performer), 1955-The-Eddie-Cantor-Comedy-Theater (Performer), 1955-Encounter (Performer), 1954-Schlitz-Playhouse (Performer), 1954-Studio-One-in-Hollywood (Performer), 1954-Casanova's-Big-Night (Performer), 1951-The-Colgate-Comedy-Hour (Performer), 1949-The-Ford-Theatre-Hour (Performer), 1946-Dressed-to-Kill (Performer), 1946-Terror-by-Night (Performer), 1945-The-House-of-Fear (Performer), 1942-Sherlock-Holmes-and-the-Voice-of-Terror (Performer), 1939-Rio (Performer), 1939-The-Hound-of-the-Baskervilles (Performer), 1936-Romeo-and-Juliet (Performer), 1935-A-Feather-in-Her-Hat (Performer), 1935-Anna-Karenina (Performer), 1935-David-Copperfield (Performer), 1932-After-the-Ball (Performer), 1932-A-Woman-Commands (Performer), 1930-Sin-Takes-a-Holiday (Performer), 1930-This-Mad-World (Performer), 1929-The-Last-of-Mrs.-Cheyney (Performer), 1923-The-Loves-of-Mary,-Queen-of-Scots (Performer), 1955-Captain-Lightfoot (Other), 1958-The-Arlene-Francis-Show (in person), 1956-The-Amazing-Dunninger (in person), 1952-1956-I've-Got-a-Secret (in person), 1954-Schlitz-Playhouse (in person), 1951-The-Jack-Benny-Program (in person), 1950-Showtime,-U.S.A. (in person), 1950-Your-Show-of-Shows (in person), 1950-Inside-U.S.A.-with-Chevrolet (in person), 1950-The-Ken-Murray-Show (in person), 1948-Tonight-on-Broadway (in person), 2005-Baker-Street-Babylon:-The-Bizarre-Afterlife-of-Sherlock-Holmes (Other), 2005-The-Adventures-of-Errol-Flynn (Other), 1985-The-Many-Faces-of-Sherlock-Holmes (Other), 1971-The-Jarvis-Collection:-Scotland-Yard (Other), 2010-A-History-of-Horror-with-Mark-Gatiss (Other), 1987-Reginald-LeBorg---Man-nannte-mich-den-Alleskonner (Other), 1979-The-Horror-Show (Other), 1994-It's-Alive:-The-True-Story-of-Frankenstein (Other), 1939-Land-of-Liberty (Other), 1954-The-Milton-Berle-Show (Performer), 1949-1952-The-Milton-Berle-Show (in person), 1974-Madhouse (Other), 1964-Tri-plyus-dva (Other), 1955-Walt-Disney's-Wonderful-World-of-Color (Other)
J.B. - Performer (December 11, 1958 - October 24, 1959), Hide-and-Seek - Performer (April 2, 1957 - April 6, 1957), Sherlock-Holmes - Performer (October 30, 1953 - October 31, 1953), Jane - Performer (March 1, 1952 - April 26, 1952), The-Gioconda-Smile - Performer (October 7, 1950 - November 11, 1950), Julius-Caesar - Performer (June 20, 1950 - July 15, 1950), The-Heiress - Performer (March 8, 1950 - March 19, 1950), The-Heiress - Performer (September 29, 1947 - September 18, 1948), Obsession - Performer (October 1, 1946 - October 26, 1946), Romeo-and-Juliet - Performer (December 20, 1934 - March 1935), The-Devil-Passes - Performer (January 4, 1932 - March 1932), Melo - Performer (April 16, 1931 - June 1931), Heat-Wave - Performer (March 17, 1931 - March 1931), A-Kiss-of-Importance - Performer (December 1, 1930 - December 1930), Judas - Performer (January 24, 1929 - March 1929), The-Command-to-Love - Performer (September 20, 1927 - April 1928), Julius-Caesar - Performer (June 6, 1927 - June 1927), Love-Is-Like-That - Performer (April 18, 1927 - May 1927), The-Captive - Performer (September 29, 1926 - March 1927), Port-O'-London - Performer (March 9, 1926 - March 1926), The-Grand-Duchess-and-the-Waiter - Performer (October 13, 1925 - November 1925), The-Assumption-of-Hannele - Performer (March 15, 1924 - March 1924), The-Swan - Performer (October 23, 1923 - June 1924), The-Czarina - Performer (January 31, 1922 - May 1922)
Style
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 486Autograph letter signed by Basil Rathbone, inviting Miss Andreyeff to meet. Dated circa early 1932, it expresses his willingness to see her any evening at 6 pm. The letter is associated with Rathbone's Broadway performance in The Devil Passes.Price: $450.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/15/1945 - HFSID 254173Autograph letter signed by Basil Rathbone dated August 15, 1945, addressing an admirer and discussing a returned war bond intended for charity. Accompanied by an original envelope addressed by Rathbone, postmarked in Los Angeles.
Sale Price $725.00
$850.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 10/09/1956 - HFSID 257225Letter signed "Basil Rathbone", handwritten and dated 1956, discusses his daughter Cynthia seeking a job and his upcoming "Dec. 28th T. V Spectacular". Accompanied by the original mailing envelope postmarked from Beverly Hills.
Price: $500.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 10/18 - HFSID 257219Letter signed "Basil Rathbone", handwritten to Mary Sandman in 1947, discussing his "very big hit" and busy Mondays. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope postmarked New York City. Contains personal remarks and expresses gratitude.
Price: $500.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED 07/03/1947 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 2675Clipped page signed by Basil Rathbone, Percy Orthwein, and Clara Orthwein in 1947. Rathbone's autograph note reads, "Dear Hildy, You are not only a very fine artist..." with additional signatures by the Orthweins on the verso.
Price: $400.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 257423Photograph of Basil Rathbone, inscribed and signed "To Mr Abell/Basil Rathbone". The item includes pencil notations on the verso. Rathbone is known for his role as Sherlock Holmes and won a Tony Award for The Heiress.
Price: $450.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 276600Portrait of British actor Basil Rathbone, best known for portraying Sherlock Holmes, inscribed and signed: “To Jess Hoaglin -/Sincerely/Basil Rathbone/Thank you so much for/your kind letter of good wishes.” Photograph by Irving Childnoff.
Sale Price $795.00
$950.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 279125Photograph signed by Basil Rathbone, inscribed "To Pete/with Sincere/appreciation/Basil Rathbone". Rathbone, known for his role as Sherlock Holmes, also received Academy Award nominations for his performances in Romeo and Juliet and If I Were King.
Sale Price $425.00
$500.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 76484Picture post card features a young Basil Rathbone holding two dogs, signed "Basil Rathbone". Rathbone, known for his role as Sherlock Holmes, achieved acclaim on Broadway and received a Tony Award for The Heiress.
Price: $650.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 137395Photograph of Basil Rathbone, showing him from the shoulders up in a striped suit-and-tie, signed "Basil Rathbone". It is a black and white, sepia-toned image with a caption and notable for Rathbone’s extensive Broadway and film career.
Price: $650.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 166995Photograph signed: "Basil Rathbone", featuring Rathbone with George Brent in a publicity still for the film International Lady. Signed in 1941, Rathbone is known for his roles as Sherlock Holmes and in various period dramas.
Price: $700.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 172116Photograph signed: "Cordially/Basil Rathbone" features a handwritten note on the verso by Rathbone's secretary expressing gratitude. Rathbone, known for his roles in period dramas, famously portrayed Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles and other adaptations.
Sale Price $545.00
$650.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH CIRCA 1936 - HFSID 49863Photograph signed: "Yours sincerely/Basil/Rathbone", depicting Basil Rathbone as Alexei Karenin in the film Anna Karenina. Rathbone is known for his extensive Broadway career and notable film roles, including Sherlock Holmes.
Sale Price $545.00
$650.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - CONTRACT SIGNED 03/04/1953 - HFSID 67655Contract signed by Basil Rathbone, dated March 4, 1953, detailing his services for "An Evening with Will Shakespeare", countersigned by an American Shakespeare Festival representative. Initialed BR in ink, it includes financial terms related to the performance.
Price: $600.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - CONTRACT SIGNED 03/25/1964 - HFSID 250925Typed document signed by Basil Rathbone on March 25, 1964, regarding a contract with Caedmon Records. Initialed by Rathbone with "B.R." and signed by Barbara Holdridge and Marianne Mantell. Agreement includes recording works by Edgar Allan Poe.
Price: $750.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - CONTRACT SIGNED 12/09/1963 - HFSID 165608Contract signed by Basil Rathbone in blue ink in 1963 for narrating 12 commercials for Getz Company, receiving $2,500. Addressed to Rathbone in New York City, the contract outlines terms for airing in Atlanta until December 31, 1964.
Price: $750.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - DOCUMENT SIGNED 04/06/1944 - HFSID 265866Document signed by Basil Rathbone, stating "Approved and Accepted," circa July 1943. The agreement restricts his services to the signing party. Also signed by an Assistant Treasurer of Loew's Incorporated. Rathbone was actively portraying Sherlock Holmes during this time.
Sale Price $1,895.00
$2,250.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - DOCUMENT SIGNED 04/12/1946 - HFSID 226437Document signed by "Basil Rathbone" in 1946, granting permission to appear on the April 18 episode of Rudy Vallee's radio program. Addressed to Rathbone at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it includes conditions for the broadcast approval by MGM’s publicity department.
Price: $550.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - DOCUMENT SIGNED 07/22/1958 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 101268Typed document signed by Basil Rathbone and Jack Hope, dated July 22, 1958, discussing royalties for Rathbone's appearances on The Bob Hope Show. Rathbone signs under "Agreed to and Accepted," with Hope signing for Hope Enterprises, Inc.
Price: $750.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - DOCUMENT SIGNED 09/22/1947 - HFSID 280782Document signed by Basil Rathbone in 1947 confirming his appearance in a radio play version of The Admirable Crichton for $2,500. Signed "Basil Rathbone" in blue ink, with a representative's signature in black ink.
Price: $550.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - DOCUMENT SIGNED 12/19/1964 - HFSID 271280Typed document signed by Basil Rathbone on December 19, 1964, in New York City, agreeing to terms for television and radio commercials. Also signed by Abe Weinstein for Harris & Weinstein Associates. Document includes contract details and is matted with a photograph.
Price: $550.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - MAGAZINE PHOTOGRAPH SIGNED - HFSID 253658Magazine photograph of Basil Rathbone, signed "Basil Rathbone". Known for his Broadway performances and film roles, he won a Tony Award in 1948. Rathbone also portrayed Sherlock Holmes in 14 films and on radio from 1939 to 1946.
Price: $1,150.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - PROGRAM SIGNED CIRCA 1933 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 112573Program for The Lido Birthday Celebrations signed by Basil Rathbone, Madeleine Carroll, Victor Hudson, Ethel Hudson, Anne Grey, Lester Matthews, Muriel Angelus, Victor Saville, Dorothy Bouchier, Gordon Harker, and Joan Wyndham. Signed by Victor Hudson as Mayor on the third page.
Price: $700.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 11/28/1947 - HFSID 257233Typed letter signed "Basil Rathbone" in blue ink, dated November 28, 1947, addressed to Mary Sandman. Rathbone thanks her for a letter of condolence while mentioning his broken arm and continuing performances. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.
Price: $375.00
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BASIL RATHBONE - TYPED LETTER TWICE SIGNED 03/19/1941 - HFSID 253243Typed letter signed "Basil Rathbone" twice, dated March 19, 1941, expresses Rathbone's excitement about working with conductor Pierre Monteux on Peter and the Wolf. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope postmarked April 5, 1941.
Sale Price $350.00
$425.00
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A DATE WITH DESTINY MOVIE CAST (THE MAD DOCTOR) - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 226698Photograph from the film A Date with Destiny, signed by Basil Rathbone, inscribed “To Harold/Sincerely/John Howard,” and “To Harold/Vera/Vague.” This movie still is from the 1940 Paramount Pictures film, also known as The Mad Doctor.
Price: $700.00
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GEORGE BURNS - PROGRAM SIGNED CIRCA 1940 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 178271Program signed by Basil Rathbone, George Burns, Robert Taylor, Jack Oakie, and Brenda Joyce for the Hollywood premiere of The Ramparts We Watch, a documentary about the American home front during World War I.
Price: $380.00
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INTERNATIONAL LADY MOVIE CAST - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH CIRCA 1941 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 49755Photograph of Basil Rathbone and George Brent examining musical notes at a piano, signed by both actors with "Basil Rathbone" and "George Brent". It is a movie still from the 1941 film International Lady.
Price: $750.00
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IRVING BERLIN - PROGRAM SIGNED CIRCA 1946 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 252084Radio program signed by Irving Berlin, Basil Rathbone, Hildegarde, Tito Guizar, and Dave Apollon from October 1946. Signatures include Sincerely/Basil Rathbone, Irving Berlin, Hildegarde, Sincerely/Tito Guizar, and Dave Apollon.
Price: $600.00
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JACK DEMPSEY - CURRENCY SIGNED WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 175535Strip of currency signed by celebrities including "Jack Dempsey", "Bing Crosby", "Basil Rathbone", "Kay Francis", "Arthur Capper", "Tom Drake", and "Fred Robinson" in various inks, with additional unidentified signatures.
Price: $480.00
