Margaret Hamiltom (aka "Wicked Witch of the West")
Rare Signed character photo

Great 8 x 10" Black and White Photo of the WICKED WITCH herself, MARGARET HAMILTON, in a publicity photo from MGM classic motion picture, THE WIZARD OF OZ, where this photo shows her as MISS GULCH, although it may be Margaret in character for MY LITTLE CHICKADEE with W.C. Fields. It's a great shot of the actress, which she personally inscribed "Well -Well-Ron-Who'd ever think I-an old maid would meet you--far from old-De-licious! and ever fun Maggie Hamilton". This autograph piece is from the estate of noted San Francisco collector Ron Weinberg who obtained all of his autographs in person. Imagine owning an authentic autograph of Margaret Hamilton, as MISS GULCH, which is unusual and an AUTOGRAPH, on a GREAT Photo like this one!

Jack Haley & Ray Bolger
DUAL SIGNED "Wizard of OZ" vintage photo

Here is a very RARE "Wizard of OZ" photo SIGNED by BOTH the "Tinman" Jack Haley and the "Scarecrow" Ray Bolger. This may be the most beautiful Signed OZ Photo we have ever acquired. It is also a photo rarely appearing on the market. It is a vintage photo from around the 50's. Also, AUTEHNTIC Multi-Signed photos from the OZ character stars RARELY become available (although forgeries are quite common on Ebay).

We have been collecting and selling autographs for over 20 years and we Guarantee Authenticity for Life.

"The Wizard of OZ"
Frank Morgan
Extraordinary LARGE 10x13" Vintage Signed Photo

Other then the "Wizard" Signed photo that sold a few years ago for $11,000, this is the most exquisite Frank Morgan Autographed photo we have ever seen! It is simply amazing! And, the signature is a large 5" signature! You won't find a better Frank Morgan vintage signed photo. It took us 20 years to find this exceptional one!

Character actor best remembered as Professor Marvel/The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz. Excellent vintage matte-finish 10 x 13 Clarence Sinclair Bull MGM portrait of Morgan in three-quarter profile looking very dignified in a suit and tie, signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint “To Fred, Frank Morgan.” In fine condition, with minor creasing to two corner tips and a trivial spot near signature. The quality and detail is so amazing it feels as though he is sitting next to you! Comes with TWO COA's from Conway's Vintage Treasures and the leading PSA Authenticator (and highly regarded UACC Registered Dealer) for Vintage Hollywood Autographs.

BIO:

Frank Morgan (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949) was an American character actor best known for his portrayal of the title character in the film The Wizard of Oz.

Born Francis Phillip Wuppermann in New York City to the wealthy family which distributed Angostura bitters, he attended Cornell University where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He then followed his older brother Ralph Morgan into show business, first on the Broadway stage and then into movies. His first film was The Suspect in 1916. His career expanded when talkies began, his most stereotypical role being that of a befuddled but good-hearted middle-aged man. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1934's The Affairs of Cellini, where he played the cuckolded Duke of Florence and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1942's Tortilla Flat, where he played a simple Hispanic man.

Morgan's most famous performance was in The Wizard of Oz (1939), in which he played the carnival huckster "Professor Marvel", the gatekeeper of the Emerald City, the driver of the carriage drawn by "The Horse of a Different Color", the armed guard leading to the wizard's hall, and the Wizard himself. Like Margaret Hamilton's Wicked Witch of the West, his characters only appear on-screen for a few minutes in total, but they are show-stoppers. He was so popular that MGM gave him a lifetime contract. Other movies of note include The Shop Around the Corner, The Human Comedy, The Mortal Storm, The White Cliffs of Dover and his last movie, Key to the City, which was released after his death, in Beverly Hills, California. He also recorded a number of children's records, including the popular Gossamer Wump, released in 1949 by Capitol Records.

Like most character actors of the studio era Frank Morgan had numerous roles in many motion pictures. One of his last roles was as a key supporting player in The Stratton Story, a true story about a ballplayer (played by James Stewart) who makes a comeback after losing a leg in a hunting accident.

Having died of a heart attack in 1949 (while filming Annie Get Your Gun), Morgan was the one major player from The Wizard of Oz who did not live to see the film become both a television fixture and an American institution. He was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1708 Vine Street.

]]> Site Admin (Kevin MC) http://www.cvtreasures.com/authentic-celebrity-autographs-wizard-of-oz-memorabilia-c-67_86/frank-morgan-extraordinary-vintage-autographed-photo-p-1153 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:00:07 -0400 USD 1153 http://www.cvtreasures.com/images/large/Morgan_Frank_SP_best-inset_LRG.jpg http://www.cvtreasures.com/authentic-celebrity-autographs-wizard-of-oz-memorabilia-c-67_86/bert-lahr-autographed-8x10-vintage-photo-gorgeous-p-1357 http://www.cvtreasures.com/product_reviews/bert-lahr-autographed-8x10-vintage-photo-gorgeous-p-1357

Bert Lahr
Vintage Autographed 8x10 Photo

An extraordinary, stunning vintage autographed 8x10” photo from Wizard of OZ star Bert Lahr. Aside from an in-character "Cowardly Lion" signed photo (which sold for over $10,000) this is one of the nicest we have seen in 25 years of collecting!

Bert Lahr vintage sepia 8x10 signed portrait inscribed to Joe Tipman. Joe Tipman was a well known boxer and restaurant owner in Baltimore, Maryland. This photo once was displayed in Tipman's restaurant. Photo has some light soiling, but is in overall decent condition. Some slight warping of photo just above Lahr's hat and at the bottom margin, but would be fine when framed. Vintage signed photos of Lahr are uncommon and highly desirable

One of the leading burlesque and vaudeville stars who went on to Broadway musical comedies, Bert Lahr had a fitful and rather unremarkable film career highlighted by his delightful and critically acclaimed role as the Cowardly Lion in the now classic 1939 version of "The Wizard of Oz"

Clara Blandick (1880-1962)
Wizard of OZ - 'Auntie Em'
Extremely Rare Autograph

The RAREST of all OZ autographs! To say her genuine autograph is RARE is an understatement. Considerd by many collectors to be the "HOLY GRAIL" of OZ autographs. Even the major autograph dealers only come across a Clara Blandick every few years. Her autograph is highly sought after, in particular by Oz collectors. This is the FIRST we have acquired in over 20 years.

What makes this vintage treasure even more desirable is that authenticity is unquestionable. Here is a court petition filled out in her hand and autographed by Clara Blandick. It is from state of California and dated June 29, 1936. Signed in fountain pen. Document is 8.5 x 3.5, with a bold signature. As far as we know this is the first document from Ms Blandick to appear on the market.

Clara Blandick was a character actress who was born aboard an American ship off the coast of Hong Kong on June 4, 1880. Little is known about her early life until she became an actress. Although she appeared in 118 films, she was primarily a stage actress. Clara actually began her film career at a late age. She was 33 when she was picked for the role as Emily Mason in Mrs. Black Is Back (1914). Her next film was The Stolen Triumph (1916), after which she returned to the stage, where she seemed more comfortable. She did not make another film until the age of 48, when she appeared in Poor Aubrey (1929). By now the studios knew her to be an outstanding character actress who was adept at filling minor roles. She had only three films under her belt at this time but would appear in more than 100 over the next 20 years. Nine films in 1930 and 13 the following year showed what a talent Clara really was.

The role that was to immortalize her, however, was the part as Auntie Em in the classic The Wizard of Oz (1939). Clara continued in films until 1950, when she appeared on the screen for the final time in Key to the City (1950). By this time Clara had been suffering from poor health for years, and retired from the screen. On Palm Sunday, April 15, 1962, Clara went to church in Hollywood, California. When she returned she wrote a note stating she could no longer endure the pain of her illness and was about to take the greatest adventure of her life. She took an overdose of sleeping tablets and pulled a plastic bag over her head, thus ending her life. She was 81 years old.

]]> Site Admin (Kevin MC) http://www.cvtreasures.com/authentic-celebrity-autographs-wizard-of-oz-memorabilia-c-67_86/clara-blandick-auntie-em-autograph-xx-rare-p-1276 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:58:30 -0400 USD 1276 http://www.cvtreasures.com/images/large/Blandick_doc_w_photo_LRG.jpg http://www.cvtreasures.com/authentic-celebrity-autographs-wizard-of-oz-memorabilia-c-67_86/frank-morgan-stunning-vintage-autographed-8x10-signed-photo-p-1416 http://www.cvtreasures.com/product_reviews/frank-morgan-stunning-vintage-autographed-8x10-signed-photo-p-1416

Frank Morgan (1890-1949)
Vintage Autographed 8x10 Signed Photo

Frank Morgan Signed Photo. A b&w 8" x10" spectacular publicity still of actor Frank Morgan (the titular Wizard of Oz), inscribed and signed by him in black fountain ink. In Fine condition.

This is one of the nicest vintage Frank Morgan photos you will ever come across. One of the nicest Frank Morgan photo we are offering this is about the best we have ever seen! Just a beauty! (Comes also with color photo as seen, but unframed. Can include framed as seen for $125 extra).

Guaranteed Authentic for Life and PSA Certified.

Frank Morgan (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949) was an American character actor best known for his portrayal of the title character in the film The Wizard of Oz.

Born Francis Phillip Wuppermann in New York City to the wealthy family which distributed Angostura bitters, he attended Cornell University where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He then followed his older brother Ralph Morgan into show business, first on the Broadway stage and then into movies. His first film was The Suspect in 1916. His career expanded when talkies began, his most stereotypical role being that of a befuddled but good-hearted middle-aged man. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1934's The Affairs of Cellini, where he played the cuckolded Duke of Florence and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1942's Tortilla Flat, where he played a simple Hispanic man.

Morgan's most famous performance was in The Wizard of Oz (1939), in which he played the carnival huckster "Professor Marvel", the gatekeeper of the Emerald City, the driver of the carriage drawn by "The Horse of a Different Color", the armed guard leading to the wizard's hall, and the Wizard himself. Like Margaret Hamilton's Wicked Witch of the West, his characters only appear on-screen for a few minutes in total, but they are show-stoppers. He was so popular that MGM gave him a lifetime contract. Other movies of note include The Shop Around the Corner, The Human Comedy, The Mortal Storm, The White Cliffs of Dover and his last movie, Key to the City, which was released after his death, in Beverly Hills, California. He also recorded a number of children's records, including the popular Gossamer Wump, released in 1949 by Capitol Records.

Like most character actors of the studio era Frank Morgan had numerous roles in many motion pictures. One of his last roles was as a key supporting player in The Stratton Story, a true story about a ballplayer (played by James Stewart) who makes a comeback after losing a leg in a hunting accident.

Having died of a heart attack in 1949 (while filming Annie Get Your Gun), Morgan was the one major player from The Wizard of Oz who did not live to see the film become both a television fixture and an American institution. He was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1708 Vine Street.

Judy Garland
Autographed 8x10" Photo
PSA Certified

Gorgeous PSA Certified photo of Judy Garland.  SIgned in upper right.

Lovely crystal-clear vintage matte-finish 8 x 10 photo , signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint “To Farley—All love, Judy.” In fine condition, with tack hole to top border, and some mild edge rippling.  Certificate of Authenticty from PSA and Conway's Vintage Treasures

Guaranteed Authentic for Life

Judy Garland
Original Autographed John Engstead Photo SIGNED

An exceptionally beautiful, high contrast and high quality John Engstead signed photo. He was an incredibly talented and famous photographer. This exquisite original photo of Judy Garland is an example why he was so highly sought after by the most rich and famous

Signed "To Buddy , With My Love, Judy Garland". An exceptional find for the Judy Garland or Selective Autograph Collector. Stamped on back “Photograph by John Engstead Beverly Hills”

Excellent condition, size 8x10”

John Engstead's Bio:

John Engstead (1912–1984) was an American photographer. Engstead began his career in 1926, when he was hired as an office boy by Paramount Pictures' head of studio publicity, Harold Harley

In 1927, Engstead pleased his boss by arranging a photo session for actress Clara Bow with photographer Otto Dyer using an outdoor setting which was unusual at that time. Engstead's creative direction of photographs of actress Louise Brooks led to a promotion to art supervisor, where he oversaw the production of Paramount's publicity stills.

In 1932, due to a strike by photographers, Engstead assumed the position of studio portrait photographer, despite having never previously photographed anyone. Actor Cary Grant posed for his practice shots. He returned to his job as art supervisor after the strike was resolved.

In 1941, Paramount Pictures fired Engstead, and Harper's Bazaar hired him for freelance advertising and portrait photography assignments. From 1941 to 1949, he took fashion photography assignments from numerous other magazines, including Collier's, Esquire, House Beautiful, Ladies Home Journal, Life, Look, Mademoiselle, McCall's, Vogue, and Women's Home Companion.

In the 1940s, Engstead photographed many celebrities, including Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Maureen O'Hara, and Shirley Temple. Unlike other photographers, he often shot his subjects at home or outdoors, and his portraits of a young Judy Garland in Carmel, California were particularly successful. During this decade, he built a studio in Los Angeles that became a gathering place for celebrities.

Engstead continued to photograph movie stars and other celebrities through the 1950s and 1960s. He produced promotional material for many television personalities, including Pat Boone, Carmel Quinn, Donna Reed, Ozzie and Harriet, Eve Arden, and Lucille Ball. He also shot cover photos for albums recorded by singers such as Peggy Lee and Connie Francis, as well as society portraits. Engstead closed his studio in 1970 but continued to accept special portrait and television assignments until his death in 1984 at age 72

Dorothy and the Wizard sign together, probably at the Wizard of Oz premiere

Vintage fountain pen signatures, “To Diana from Judy Garland” and “To Diana, Frank Morgan,” on opposite sides of a pink 5.5 x 4.25 album page. The style of Garland’s signature dates to circa 1939, and this, together with the identical inscribee, suggests that she and Morgan signed together at an Oz-related event, perhaps even the film’s premiere. In any case, items signed by both of these principal cast members are of the greatest scarcity. In fine condition, with mild toning, a few spots of subtle soiling, and small pencil collector’s notations. Comes with THREE COA's from PSA/DNA COA, Conway's Autographs and HIGHLY regarded UACC Registered Dealer.

In over 30 years of collecting we have NEVER seen an AUTHENTIC set of Garland and Morgan autographs signed together like this. (although you will see forgeries on Ebay).

Beware of online auction forgeries. Invest from someone with over 20 years of expertise, who knows the difference AND Guarantees the Authenticity for Life.

Judy Garland
Early 1940's Autograph

In the early 1940's a young woman was entertaining the troops in Indiana and Judy Garland was a special guest in one of the shows. This autograph was obtained by that young woman around 1941-42 while working with Judy Garland. The signature is on a USO "Naval Aid Auxiliary" card. Great early Garland vintage fountain pen signature as her handwriting was evolving from her adolescence style to her eventual adult style that developed a dramatic tight right slant.

Guaranteed Authentic for Life

]]> Site Admin (Kevin MC) http://www.cvtreasures.com/authentic-celebrity-autographs-wizard-of-oz-memorabilia-c-67_86/judy-garland-autograph-early-1940-s-uso-card-p-1802 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:06:57 -0500 USD 1802 http://www.cvtreasures.com/images/large/Garland-Judy-USO-autographs_LRG.jpg http://www.cvtreasures.com/authentic-celebrity-autographs-wizard-of-oz-memorabilia-c-67_86/frank-morgan-edwardrobinson-nat-dallinger-photo-p-1531 http://www.cvtreasures.com/product_reviews/frank-morgan-edwardrobinson-nat-dallinger-photo-p-1531

Frank Morgan/Edward G. Robinson
Vintage Original Nat Dallinger Photo, 1946

With original 1946 Press release clipping on back. The "WIZARD" and the "Gangster" dancing together.

Size: 8x10"

Charley Grapewin (aka "Uncle Henry")
Highly Scarce Autograph

Jack Haley
Wizard of Oz autographed photo

Nice vintage signed 8x10" as the "Tinman". Excellent condition. Guaranteed Authentic for Life.

The Wizard of Oz, 1939
Original Vintage Lobby Card

This is a 1955 re-release Oz lobby card. A special card as this particular "Back Home" scene was ONLY featured in the 1995 release.

]]> Site Admin (Kevin MC) http://www.cvtreasures.com/authentic-celebrity-autographs-wizard-of-oz-memorabilia-c-67_86/the-wizard-of-oz-lobby-card-dorothy-back-home-p-1613 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:32:28 -0500 USD 1613 http://www.cvtreasures.com/images/large/Garland_OZ_Home_LC_LRG.jpg http://www.cvtreasures.com/authentic-celebrity-autographs-wizard-of-oz-memorabilia-c-67_86/ray-bolger-autograph-vintage-signed-oz-photo-p-1162 http://www.cvtreasures.com/product_reviews/ray-bolger-autograph-vintage-signed-oz-photo-p-1162

Ray Bolger
Vintage Signed OZ Photo

Great "Oz" 8x10" photo with Garland & Haley. One of the nicest Bolger OZ photos we have ever acquired!. Gauranteed Authentic for Life

Bert Lahr (aka Cowardly Lion of OZ) 
Special IN-PERSON autograph

It is on rare occasion that we acquire a great vintage autographed piece with such extraordinary provenance. Back in the late 1950’s a couple walked into the “South of the Border” Motel and Restaurant between North and South Carolina and met Bert Lahr, the “Cowardly Lion Of OZ”.  Mr Lahr signed (Un-inscribed)  a postcard from the gift shop.

The recipient’s son (who I acquired this from many years ago) also wrote a long detailed letter of provenance about when and where his mother met Bert Lahr, which is included with this piece. Also, included is an original vintage brochure from South of the Border.  A collector advised me this alone is a collector’s item and I should sell separately. However, I do not want to break up the package as it is an important part of the provenance.  

This has been in my personal collection for several years and I have just now decided to post it on the web site for other collectors to enjoy. 

We can also frame and matt this with a nice color photo of the "Cowardly Lion" as shown in the images below. We can matt the autograph with the postcard motel heading and text or we can matt out most all the postcard text. See images below. Note: we ship without glass due to high risk of damage.

Guaranteed Authentic for life.

Frank Morgan (aka "The Great Wizard of OZ")
Authentic Autograph

A SPECTACULAR vintage autograph from the "Wizard of OZ" himself Frank Morgan. No inscription reads "Frank Morgan". On an old autograph album page. A real beauty!! Rare in authentic form. Original recipient pasted an old magazine photo of Morgan below autograph. Could easily be removed or matted out but we will let lucky new owner make that decision.

Vintage ink signature, “Frank Morgan,” on a light pink 5 x 4 album page. In fine condition, with affixed magazine photo and star sticker and pencil notations to lower border. Pre-certified PSA/DNA

Guaranteed Authentic for Life

Bert Lahr
Vintage Autographed Photo