Awesome collection of 12 autographs of authors, actors, and other entertainers originally collected by an employee of a major Washington Hotel in the late 1890's. All are on 2 5/8" by 3 1/2" white cards. The vintage mostly black or blue ink signatures all rate a beautiful 9-10/10. A copy of a 1928 newspaper article about the collection is also included.
"Viola Allen 1900" (1869-1948) - Famous 19th century American actress of the stage who later starred in silent pictures.
"John Kendrick Bangs April 7, 1899" (1862-1922) - American author and satirist. Creator of modern Bangsian fantasy - the school of fantasy that sets the plot wholly or partially in the afterlife.
"Charles Dana Gibson" (1867-1944) - Famous American graphic artist, noted for his creation of the "Gibson Girl", an iconic representation of the beautiful and independent American woman at the turn of the 20th century.
"I am glad to do what you wish. Edw. E. Hale Aug. 23, 1898" (1822-1909) - American author, popular reformer and Unitarian minister. He had a deep interest in the anti-slavery movement, as well as popular education, and the working-man's plight. His most famous quote - "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something I can do."
"J[oseph] Jefferson" (1829-1905) - Actor and one of the most famous of all American comedians. Probably his most famous quote came in his reply to another actor who was complaining about the size of his role in a play. "There are no small parts, only small actors"
"Yours respectfully, Whitelaw Reid, New York 17 May 1899" (1837-1912) - Famous American journalist and diplomat. Was a well known war correspondent during the American Civil War. After the war he followed Horace Greely and became managing editor and later owner of the New York Tribune, America's premier newspaper at the time. In later years he would be minister to France, Republican vice-presidential candidate in 1892, and ambassador to England until his death in 1950.
"'The Golden Age' of NOW Very Truly Yours, James Whitecomb Riley" (1849-1916) - Popular American writer and Poet. Called the "Children's Poet".
"Very Truly Sol Smith Russell 1898" (1848-1902) - Famous American stage actor. Was a drummer boy in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Became a regular star of the New York stage beginning in 1880.
"John Philip Sousa" (Signed below a line of music) (1854-1832) - American composer and conductor known particularly for American military and patriotic marches. Because of his mastery of march composition and the resultant prominence, he is widely known as "The March King". Among his over 130 marches some of his most famous are - "Semper Fidelis" (1888) (Official March of the United States Marine Corps), "The Stars and Stripes Forever" (1896) (National March of the United States) , "U.S. Field Artillery" (1917) (Modified version The Army Goes Rolling Along is the official song of the U.S. Army) , and "The Liberty Bell" (1893) (credits theme for Monty Python's Flying Circus). The marching brass bass, or sousaphone, is named after him.
"Frank R. Stockton" (1834-1902) - One of 19th century America's foremost story-tellers and humorists. Was especially known for his children's fairy tales.
"John Townsend Trowbridge Apr. 1, 1898" (1827-1916) - Very popular American author. Good friend of Mark Twain and Walt Whitman.
"Lew Wallace" (1827-1905) - American lawyer, governor, Union general during the Civil War, statesman, and author. His most famous and well known work - Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.
LOA from PSA/DNA.