Mar 31, 2011 - Sale 2241

Sale 2241 - Lot 62

Price Realized: $ 1,560
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500
(BURLESQUE.) Corio, Ann. Fascinating archive of a burlesque star's letters to her publicist. 27 Autograph Letters Signed and several other partial letters to Eddie Jaffe * 4 publicity photographs, one of them signed in pen "For Bob, Best wishes, Ann Corio," 1960 and undated * Publicity brochure for Gypsy Rose Lee * 4 pages of humorous typed notes on Hollywood by Eddie Jaffe, circa 1940s. Various sizes and conditions. Vp, 1940-61 and undated
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Ann Corio (1909-1999) was one of the leading burlesque striptease dancers of the 1930s, transitioned into straight acting roles on the film and stage in the 1940s and 1950s, and launched a popular touring production called "This Was Burlesque" in 1961. These letters were written to her friend and publicist Edward Jaffe (1913-2003) of New York, a celebrity in his own right who was said to be the inspiration for the Tony Curtis character in "The Sweet Smell of Success."
The letters are filled with Corio's insightful commentary on the entertainment industry, and constant brainstorming for publicity ideas--gags, gossip, rumors, or anything else that might get her name in the newspapers. Most of the letters are undated, but the bulk appear to be from the 1940s, with 3 of them being on her illustrated letterhead. Corio's philosophy was summed up in this early 1940s letter: "My book agent advised me not to write any more columns--but of course, I'm out for all I can get." Here are some other items she asked Jaffe to leak to the columnists: "I have an idea for a story. . . . 99% of American women would jump at the opportunity to do a strip. They are all strip teasers at heart. . . . Strip teasing is the most mysterious and glamorous of professions" (circa 1942-1950). "I've made a friend in Washington who can open all the doors for me to the European leaders who are here waiting for the war to end. . . . He is easy to handle. He is sooooo in love with me, he doesn't mind that I keep him at a distance with a ten foot pole. His poppy was #1 man of Estonia" (circa 1941). "I play Washington soon. Make up something about me going before Congress and say it will be the 'best motion ever brought before the House.'" On rival Sally Rand, a renowned fan dancer: "Fan dancing is a camouflage--you might as well have on long red flannel underwear." She was somewhat more circumspect when announcing her divorce from Emmett Callahan: "This letter is written to you as a friend, and not my press agent. I want to keep it as quiet as possible. . . . You can give it to Winchell if you want. That is the only release that will be made" (1943).