Clara Blandick (1880-1962)
Wizard of OZ - 'Auntie Em'
Extremely Rare Autograph
PSA Certified
RAREST of all OZ autographs! To say her genuine autograph is RARE is an understatement. Considered by many collectors to be the "HOLY GRAIL" of OZ autographs. Even the major autograph dealers only come across a Clara Blandick every five years or so. 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 its on a vintage album page signed in bold vintage fountain pen ink. . Signed “To Momma Vanna, Best wishes, Clara Blandick,” . And this historical autograph has been PSA Certified Genuine Authentic.
American character actress (1880–1962). In 1939, after a well-regarded
stage career and a string of small, often uncredited movie parts,
Blandick landed her most memorable role—Auntie Em in MGM’s The Wizard of
Oz. After Oz, Blandick returned to supporting and bit roles and
committed suicide by suffocation at the age of 81. Vintage ink signature
and inscription, “To Momma Vanna, Best wishes, Clara Blandick,” on an
off-white 4 x 6.5 album page. In fine condition.
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.
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Guaranteed Authentic for Life
Conway's Vintage Treausres
UACC Registered Dealer No 307
Note: Conway's stamp NOT on original
