Vintage leather bound hardcover autograph album, 7.5 x 10.25, dating from 1927 to approximately 1947, signed inside by over 450 people, with all pages multi-signed, and back-to-back. Front of book is embossed with the name of Howard Greer, a Hollywood costume designer, as well as the Chief Costume Designer at Paramount from 1924–1927. Signers include: Greta Garbo, Thelma Todd, Harold Lloyd, Mary Pickford, Katharine Hepburn, Basil Rathbone, Vivien Leigh, Charles Laughton, Rita Hayworth, Salvador Dali, Ingrid Bergman, Shirley Temple, Greer Garson, George Bernard Shaw, Billie Burke Ziegfield, Marlene Dietrich, Al Jolson, Frank Capra, Walter Plunkett, Edith Head, Louise Brooks, W[illiam] Randolph Hearst, Marion Davies, Carl Van Vechten, James Montgomery Flagg, Carl Laemmle, Jr., Vilma Banky, Joseph Schildkraut, Paul Bern, Barbara Stanwyck Fay, Helen Kane, Helen Hayes, Norma Shearer, Kay Francis, Cecil Beaton, Fay Wray, Jeanette MacDonald, Anna May Wong, Noel Coward, Gwili Andre, Irene Dunne, Helen Twelvetrees, Elizabeth Arden, Clara Bow, Adrian (Wizard of Oz costumer), Zita Johann, Gracie Allen, Theda Bara, Margaret Sullivan, Doris Duke, Myrna Loy, Claudette Colbert, Tallulah Bankhead, Ginger Rogers, Leni Riefenstahl, Jennifer Jones, Susan Hayward, and Pola Negri. Uniform toning to inside pages, red pencil underlines to beginning of some of the signatures, and light rubbing and wear, including a bit of scattered light surface loss to covers and spine, otherwise fine condition. A more complete list is available for download in PDF format by clicking here.
This astonishing album starts in 1927, the same year that Greer, one of Hollywood’s premier costume designers, left Paramount Pictures and the constraints of black-and-white film to work in custom clothing. After opening a couture operation in Hollywood in December 1927, Greer happily provided his celebrity designs for women as disparate as Shirley Temple and Theda Bara. He famously provided a full wardrobe for Greta Garbo and wedding dresses for both Temple and Gloria Vanderbilt. His style had long lived appeal as he created both personal and film wardrobes for stars including Mary Pickford, Gloria Swanson, Ginger Rogers, and Katherine Hepburn. In admiration and appreciation of his creations, nearly every starlet and star he encountered was more than happy to agree to an autograph request—the result being the amazing assemblage now offered. RRAuction COA.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
