Lot #1236

Groucho Marx

Description

In an amusing letter to the man who discovered him, Groucho recalls his embarrassing performance at a San Francisco earthquake benefit: “Nothing came out but a froglike croaking that would have been fine in a mud puddle, but was slightly out of place before those grim opera lovers at the Metropolitan”

TLS signed “Groucho,” one page, 7.5 x 10, no date. Letter to “Gus,” most likely vaudevillian Gus Edwards, recalling a benefit after the San Francisco Earthquake. In part: “When the news came that the San Francisco Earthquake (West of the Rockies you had better call this a fire) had blown and shaken up most of the Golden Gate, I was in your employ. I was fifteen years old with a beautiful juvenile tenor voice that was just beginning to lose its choir boy quality, for something more manly and baritone. Its called puberty or adolescence, or barmitzvah, I’m not familiar with these medical terms, pick one out that appeals to you. For the survivors of the catastrophe a benefit was immediately arranged…How we got in was a mystery, certainly not on talent. Either our extreme youth, or Gus’s eloquence was the magic wedge…This night however, I was slightly nervous, and my voice…suddenly decided to leave its tenor quality behind…So when I got near the finish of the chorus where I always wowed them with the high note, instead of the usual golden flood pouring forth from my throat, nothing came out but a froglike croaking that would have been fine in a mud puddle, but was slightly out of place before those grim opera lovers at the Metropolitan. The benefit should have been held for me that night, I suffered much more than the survivors of the Earthquake.” Letter has been professionally deacidified and encapsulated in Mylar, and has archivally been matted and framed in raw silk, to an overall size of 16 x 24. Trimmed right edge, intersecting folds, a few light creases, and slight show-through from mounting remnants on reverse, otherwise fine condition. At the benefit concert on May 3, 1906, in the New York Metropolitan Opera House for the victims of the San Francisco earthquake, Groucho sang to 3000 delighted spectators in front of a 70-piece orchestra. A very amusing and well-written anecdote. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

Auction Info

• Auction Title:
• Dates: #375 - Ended September 14, 2011

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This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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