One of Warner Bros. first employees, A. M. “Doc” Salomon joined the Burbank studio in 1918, working his way from janitor to general manager, eventually taking over the Teddington, England studio. Doc, who was considered a loyal friend and family member by co-owner Jack Warner, played a pivotal role in integrating sound effects into film, and in a terrible twist of fate, was recording the sounds of robot bombs on July 5, 1944, when the Teddington studio was targeted by one of these weapons, leveling the studio with Doc inside. His sizable collection of signed photos miraculously survived the bombing. Collection of letters between Jack Warner and Doc Salomon’s family, a letter from Salomon himself, a newspaper clipping, a 1944 Warner Bros. newsletter, and photos of Salomon with Warner, James Cagney, and the Duchess of Kent. Two particularly stand-out letters from the collection come from Doc and Jack Warner; on July 5, 1944, the same day the robot bomb hit the studio, Doc write his last letter to his “Mother and Sis,” catching them up on his successes, his recent divorce, and closed the letter with, “I really don’t think it will be long before this war is over and let’s hope we can all get together again. What a day that will be!” In a letter dated the following day, Jack Warner writes his grieving condolences to Doc’s family, remembering him as one of the “best friends I had...It is impossible for me to describe how keenly I feel the loss of your son, Doc.” In fine condition, despite some intersecting folds, creasing, light toning, and a few small tears, this memorabilia remains clean, clear and intact, surviving to tell the story of one of Warner Bros.’ biggest behind-the-scenes stars. RRAuction COA.
