(Progressive Citizens of America) Scarce broadside advertising a “Mass Meeting” of the Progressive Citizens of America, 10 July [c. 1948[?]] at Park View Manor in Los Angeles, 303 x 230 mm. (12 x 9 in.), featuring images of Hollywood party advocates John Garfield, Lena Horne, Edward G. Robinson, Anne Revere, George Coulouris, Richard Conte, Gene Kelly, Paul Henreid, Betty Garrett and Larry Parks, proclaiming “YES! We’re Actors… but we’re citizens too! That’s why we joined P.C.A[,] to fight for a prosperous and free country in a peaceful world! Join your neighbors in this ‘Stop Depression’ MASS MEETING!” The verso explores the issues at hand: “Are you worried? No wonder! Last Year! the N.A.M. spent millions of dollars for ads which promised you ‘if OPA is permanently discontinued… prices will quickly adjust themselves to levels that consumers are willing to pay.’ Today! YOU check your budget and find that expenses have gone up 30% since Congress killed O.P.A. (meanwhile corporation profits are 33% higher, although small business failures and unemployment are increasing.) Tomorrow! DESPRESSION. But… you CAN do something about it! Join the P.C.A. ‘Stop Depression’ Drive!” Speakers and entertainers were Albert Dekker, Marie Bryant, Sam Levine, Stanley Prager, Raphael Konigsberg, chaired by Edward Mosk with “Skits & Songs by Actors Division PCA“.
The Progressive Citizens of America, spearheaded by an outspoken Gene Kelly, was extremely active in the campaign to end Hollywood blacklisting and ideological persecution by abolishing the House of unAmerican Activities Committee.
Toning, creasing, usual folds with some separation at folds, edge wear and some marginal tearing, else very good condition.
(EXA 5913) $300
(Cinema) An original one sheet poster, 28 x 41 in. for Martin Scorsese’s 1975 film, Taxi Driver printed to promote its American theatrical release.
Linen backed, some creasing and other minor surface abrasions and marginal wear.
(EXA 4063) $950
(Cinema) An excellent Australian day bill (30 x 13 in.) for the 1962 Columbia film, Lawrence of Arabia. Printer’s credit at bottom: “ROBERT BURTON BTY LTD SYDNEY.”
Usual folds, just a hint of toning, else very fine condition.
(EXA 4058) $350
(Theatrical History: Billie BURKE) A very bright and clean poster, 26 1/2 x 17 in. (on a 30 x 20 in. sheet), for Billie Burke’s appearance in Charles Frohman’s 1914 production of Catherine Chisholm Cushing’s comedy, Jerry. The poster features a lovely profile image of Burke after a photograph by Harold Genthe. A wonderful Burke piece printed the same year she married Florenz Ziegfeld. Print by Strobridge Litho. Co., (Cincinnati & New York).
Very minor wear in blank margins, else very fine condition.
(EXA 4141) $400
(Theatrical History) Hand colored print, 7 1/2 x 10 1/4 in. [c. 1853] captioned “CLOSING SCENE FROM THE PLAY OF ‘THE JEWESS,’ AS PERFORMED AT THE BOSTON MUSEUM.” This was the first Boston production of William Thomas Moncrieff’s adaptation of Sir Walter Scott’s 1820 novel, Ivanhoe, which premiered at the Boston Museum on 7 March 1853.1 The Boston Courier raved, “It would be difficult to conceive any thing more gorgeous and magnificent in the way of stage display and scenic arrangement than is presented in the spectacle of the Jewess, which is now attracting so much attention at the Boston Museum. Unlike most of the so called show pieces, the Jewess combines to an opportunity for brilliant appointments the merit of a strong plot and great dramatic effect, which, in the hands of Mr. Smith as Eleazer, and Mrs. Barrett as the Jewess, are most admirably developed. We very much doubt if any equally interesting and beautiful dramatic entertainment was ever before offered in Boston.”2 Light creases, some minor marginal wear, else fine.
(EXA 3866) $125
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1 Boston Atlas, 7 March 1853, 2. Charles Dickens mercilessly lampooned Moncrieff as the “literary gentleman” in Nicholas Nickelby, as a cultural thief or a literary pickpocket. See Ibn Warraq, “Sir Walter Scott’s Treatment of Jews in Ivanhoe”, New English Review. (July 2009).
2 Boston Courier, 14 March 1853, 2.
