Academy Award–winning actor (1899–1957) best remembered for his performances in Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and Treasure of the Sierra Madre, among other classic films. One of the finest Bogart photos we have ever offered: a vintage glossy Warner Bros. publicity photo by Henry Waxman, most likely for the 1946 film The Big Sleep, of Bogart seated in a pin-stripe suit with a smoldering cigarette, slightly trimmed in size to 7.5 x 9.5, nicely signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Guy, Many thanks and good luck, Humphrey Bogart.” In addition to Waxman’s stamp on the reverse is a “Humphrey Bogart, Warner Brothers Pictures” stamp. The Big Sleep, directed by Howard Hawks, is the first film version of Raymond Chandler’s novel of the same name. It starred Bogart as detective Philip Marlowe and Lauren Bacall as the femme fatale. This version of The Big Sleep is remembered for its convoluted plot. Hollywood lore has it that during filming, neither the director nor the screenwriters knew who killed chauffeur Owen Taylor, or if he had killed himself. Trimming as noted, scattered light surface creases (primarily to background), and a few light spots, otherwise fine condition. The writing is dark and well-contrasted against the background. The increasing scarcity of signed Bogart images and the quality of the signature will impress any vintage Hollywood collector. PSA/DNA Auction LOA and R&R COA.
