WILLIAM E. OVERALL - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/18/1980 - HFSID 314998

WILLIAM E. OVERALL
Dance World fan sends editor John Willis a letter expressing his delight in the book and wishing for an autograph
Autograph letter signed: "William E. Overall" in blue ink. 1 page, 8½x11. April 18, 1980. Louisville, Kentucky. In full: "Dear Sir: I admire your work very much. "Dance World" is indeed a most valuable current dance reference book. I would be happy to have your autograph to merit in my copy. Thank you. Yours truly". No further information on this signer has been found. Theatre World, founded in 1945 by Daniel Blum, is America's oldest annual record of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre, referenced by industry professionals, historians, students and theatre fans worldwide. Until 1998, when a separate nonprofit corporation was established, Theatre World's editorial staff bestowed the prestigious Theatre World Awards for outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway debuts. Screen World (from 1950) and Dance World (from 1966), administered from the same office, also furnished comprehensive information on those entertainment genres. John A. Willis (1916-2010), active in Theatre World from the beginning, became its chief editor in 1965, holding that position until 2008. Willis is regarded as one of the foremost theatre and film historians of the 20th century. While producing (and presenting) the annual Theatre World Awards, Willis also served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. Theatre World, which received its own Tony for Excellence in Theatre in 2001, continues under chief editor Ben Hodges. Normal mailing folds. Light toning. Corners rounded. Otherwise, fine condition.