Lot 478
William S. Hart: Rare Signed 8 x 10" Photo plus Three Vintage Original Stills Hollywood's First Western Cowboy Star and a King of Silent Films (1864-1946) Originally a stage actor of some repute, he starred in the landmark original production on stage of Ben-Hur as well as productions of Shakespeare. In 1914 he entered into film and scored a hit in a film called THE BARGAIN. But he had developed a love for the West, acquired a revolver owned by Billy The Kid and was friends with Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp. So with legendary producer Thomas Ince he started shooting Westerns at age 44 with a keen eye for accuracy in sets and costumes and catapulted to being the highest box-office draw at the time. Presently his home is a museum and available to visitors as part of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County housing a trove of his personal effects, props and art.
Rare signed 8 x 10" B&W photo and one of the best images of Hart we have seen. Condition is excellent on the obverse, but the reverse has evidence of being mounted on card stock, which does not impact the image or signature "Sincerely Yours William S. Hart" executed in a bluish purple fountain pen ink. Three excellent stills accompany this lot, productions unknown. Estimated Value $500 - 900
From the Collection of Mark Rofeh.
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