Sunday, November 23, 2008

Booker T. Washington Signed Card


Booker T. Washington was born into slavery on April 5, 1856 in Franklin County, Virginia. His mother was a plantation cook and his father was an unknown white man. In those times, some white fathers of black children sometimes provided an education and some type of vocational training for their black children. Some even freed their children. Little is known about Washington's father except that he did not provide anything more than any slave could expect, and it is believed that he never publicly acknowledged his child. Read more about Booker T. Washington, including autographs.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" Signed Book

Nelle Harper Lee was born on April 26, 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama, a small town near Montgomery, Alabama. She was the youngest of three children. Like Atticus Finch, her father was a lawyer. Truman Capote, who later became famous for his short stories and novels, was one of her childhood friends. Some believe that Capote was the inspiration for the character Dill in "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Read more about Harper Lee and her autographs here.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Walter Lantz Signed Payroll Check and Greeting Card

Walter Lantz was born on April 27, 1900 in New Rochelle, New York. As a child, Lantz studied art at home through correspondence courses. At sixteen, Lantz moved to New York City and landed a directing position at the John R. Bray Studios. In 1924, he showcased his first cartoon creation, "Dinky Doodle."

Read more about Walter Lantz and his autographs here.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

J. Paul Getty Signed Check

Jean Paul Getty was born on December 15, 1892, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He worked for his father's oil business, Minnehoma Oil Company, during summer breaks from college (University of Southern California and the University of California at Berkeley). He finished his degree at Oxford in Britain in 1912. In 1914 he struck out on his own with loans from his father, trading in oil leases in Oklahoma.

Read more about J. Paul Getty and his autographs here.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Alan Ladd

Alan Ladd was born on September 3, 1913 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His family moved to California, and as a teen he worked odd jobs for the Hollywood movie studios. In the early 1930's he began landing small parts on local radio, in theater and in the movies. By the early 1930's he was getting bigger roles in B movies.

Read more about Alan Ladd, including autographs here.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Gorgeous George

Gorgeous George was the greatest professional wrestling attraction of his time. His first wrestling match was in 1939 as the capable but bland George Wagner. By 1948, he was a major entertainment attraction and Gorgeous George was a household name.


Read more about Gorgeous George, including autographs here.

More Gorgeous George Photos Here

Monday, November 3, 2008

Cecil B. DeMille

Cecil B. DeMille was born in Ashfield, Massachusetts on August 12. 1881. His father died in 1893. To help support the family, his mother opened a girl's school in the family home.

Read more about Cecil B. DeMille, including autographs here.