The Finest Compendium of Hollywood Signed Photographs Ever Assembled Set For Auction

RR Auction is proud to present The Tom Gregory Collection of Hollywood signed photographs during its December specialty auction that runs through Thursday, December 15, 2016. The collection features over 250 rare and spectacular items from The Silent Film Era through The Golden Age of Hollywood, spanning four decades that Hollywood has yet to replicate.

From the silent age to the sixties, this entirely photographic assortment of silver screen and television legends features a who's who of dapper leading men, glamorous starlets, and offbeat character actors. The spotlight shines behind-the-scenes as well, featuring no shortage of influential producers, infamous directors, and ingenious screenwriters.

With nearly seventy percent of all silent era films destroyed or missing, the significance of surviving material, namely the performer portrait and production scene still, cannot be understated. Highlighted by silent film stars such as; Barbara La Marr, Mabel Normand, and Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle. Also featured trailblazing filmmakers, like a D. W. Griffith, who directed a number of important early classics, including Intolerance and the iconic Birth of a Nation.

Although the stars of that Golden Age have long since signed their final contracts, the collection offers a brilliant opportunity to recapture these celebrities at the peak of their prowess. Highlights include such rarities as an amazing vintage matte finish portrait of Greta Garbo inscribed to Eva von Berne, an Austrian actress brought to Hollywood as a 'another Garbo.' Before sadly leaving, she was able to meet Garbo, her idol, and receive this photograph.

Also featured, a fabulous oversized James Dean East of Eden portrait. In early 1954 Dean received his first major role, cast to play the loner Cal Trask in Elia Kazan's screen adaptation of Steinbeck's East of Eden. Leaving New York for the bright lights of Hollywood, Dean embraced the part and turned in one of cinema's great emotional performances to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

A Hollywood collection would not be complete without reference to the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz, and, as usual, Tom's taste is impeccable. His collection boasts the incredible rarities of portraits of both Glinda and The Wizard signed in character.

The Horror genre is represented by choice examples that include: Lugosi as Dracula and Karloff and Clive in character from Frankenstein.

Far from Hollywood, Tom Gregory found his first stars in an old house in the rural marshland community of Dividing Creek, New Jersey. Searching for a peaceful life, his grandmother had just moved downstate from the Urban Blight of Camden to 'the Creek.' Four-year-old Tom was excitedly exploring the cavernous house when he discovered a small box that had been left behind in a utility closet by the former owner. It was filled with early Hollywood glamour portraits. While not all were signed, one particular photo autographed by actress Dorothy Lamour seared an indelible impression on the wide-eyed little boy.

Twenty years later, starstruck from a lifetime of afternoon films and late-night movies, Tom made his way west in his '72 Impala. By the time he reached LA-with cars whizzing by like a classic film noir flick-Tom knew he was home. Working on the periphery of the entertainment business, he saved for, honed, and built his collection. Through trial, error, and patience, he identified reputable dealers, pouncing upon only the very best example of each star.

A bit of a celebrity in his own right, Gregory debuted as a Broadway producer on the 2009 Tony Award-nominated revival of Guys and Dolls at the Nederlander Theatre.

"Tom Gregory has amassed a collection that can accurately be deemed world class," said Robert Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction.

Bidding for this exclusive online offering of the Tom Gregory Collection from RR Auction began on Thursday, December 8th and conclude on Thursday, December 15, 2016. For information, visit the RR Auction web site at www.rrauction.com.

About RR Auction:

Headquartered in Boston's North End, RR Auction is a globally recognized and trusted source for rare documents, manuscripts, autographs, and historic artifacts. Since its inception in 1980, RR has achieved countless record-setting prices in over 425 successful sales, including Truman Capote's hand-notated manuscript for Breakfast at Tiffany's for over $300,000, President Kennedy's 1963 convertible for $318,000, and a pair of Bonnie and Clyde's guns for over $500,000. Internationally known and frequently featured in all media outlets-with appearances on NBC's Today Show, CBS This Morning, Fox News, the New York Times Sunday Magazine, and the London Times-RR Auction prides itself on selling authentic material, thoroughly examined by in-house experts and third-party authenticators, to uphold the guarantee of authenticity. With a stunning full-color print catalog and a massive online presence, RR Auction's nearly four decades of business continue to grow, achieving record prices for clients around the world.

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