James Willis Sayre (1877–1963) was a Seattle arts critic and journalist who specialized in music and theatre. Impressive collection of items from the collection of J. Willis Sayre, consisting of over 40 signed photos, 50 telegrams, and 20 unsigned photos. Signed photos include: Larry Adler, Licia Albanese, Jack Benny, Billie Burke, Robert Casadesus, Ina Claire, Maurice Evans, Rose Eytinge, Zino Francescatti, Tito Guizar, Josef Hofmann, Maryla Jonas, William Kapell (3), Alexander Kipnis (2), Miliza Korjus, Andre Kostelanetz, Fritz Kreisler (2), Frank La Forge, Pierre Luboshutz and Genia Nemenoff, Kathryn Meisle, James Melton (2), Gaetano Merola, Grace Moore, Patrice Munsel, Conrad Nagel and Irene Hervey, James Neill, Lillian Nordica, Eugene Ormandy, Ezio Pinza, William Primrose, Eleanor Steber, Alfred Wallenstein, and Clara Kimball Young. TLSs are from Lou Smith and Michael Todd. Unsigned photos include Enrico Caruso, Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, Artur Rubinstein, Geraldine Farrar, Rudolph Valentino, Lucrezia Bori, Richard Bonelli, and Claudia Muzio. Concluding the collection is a scrapbook of telegrams to Sayre from many of the biggest stars of the 1950s, including Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Irving Berlin, Rosalind Russell, Rock Hudson, Jane Russell, Susan Hayward, Bette Davis, Ava Gardner, Ginger Rogers, Hedda Hopper, William Holden, Darryl F. Zanuck, Edward G. Robinson, and Barbara Stanwyck, many of whom comment on their work. In overall very good to fine condition. An exceptional collection of autographs and ephemera that traces the entertainment world in America for the entire first half of the 20th century. RR Auction COA.
