Large collection originally obtained directly from Lamour’s estate, consisting of signed and unsigned items, including playbill, programs, correspondence to Lamour, photos, telegrams, sheet music and much more. Among the included items are: 47 signed playbill and programs, almost all from performances of Hello, Dolly; two steel engravings for advertisements for the Milwaukee, Wisconsin engagements of Hello, Dolly; a collection of 10 albums (including several sleeved collections), five of which are signed on the front by Lamour; a draft ALS signed “D. L.,” to Bob Hope, ending regrets that she is unable to attend an award ceremony for Hope, but adds “I will see that your garbage cans are out for Monday morning pickup. Your neighbor and greatest admirer.”
A large collection of draft letters, itineraries, guest lists, a program, reservation cards, stationery, and other papers related to an evening dedicated to Bob Hope entitled, “Thanks for the memories,” sponsored by the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce to benefit the USO, held in 1971. Items relating to the event include several pages of handwritten notes by Lamour, including guests to invite through calls or letters, including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Lana Turner, Glenn Ford, and Phyllis Diller, as well as people who have accepted or declined invitations. Among those accepting are Irving Berlin, George Burns, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, and astronaut Frank Borman, with Joan Collins being the only decline so far; a small folder labeled “Road to Hong Kong, London ‘Hong Kong File,’” with several carbons, draft letters, and telegrams inside, including a copy of a telegram from Lamour declining a role in the film; a photo of Lamour and Bob Hope during a telethon, signed and inscribed by Hope; a one-page TLS from Hope to Lamour; two candid photos of Lamour, one with Robert Preston and Alan Ladd, and the other of Lamour and Ladd presenting a card to their director; two scripts for a program entitled “The Arthur Murray Party for Bob Hope,” one signed on the cover by Lamour; unsigned production and promotional photos; a small bracelet with a rectangular charm engraved “To Dottie for your ‘Place in the Sun’”; various magazine and newspaper articles, an envelope labeled “Typewritten lyrics to night club act songs,” with pages of typed lyrics, and several pages of notes, including two pages in Lamour’s hand; and Lamour’s script for a tribute to Stephen Sondheim. In overall very good condition. An impressive collection which spans over two decades, highlighting the actress’s career and private life. Provenance: Sotheby’s, New York. RR Auction COA.
