?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 300 - $ 400
BERLIN, IRVING. Autograph Letter Signed, "Love, Irving," to his wife Ellin ("Darling"), remarking on his performances and the weather, and noting that the "boys" [performers?] are upset about [Ezra?] Stone's book [Coming, Major! (1944)?]. 2 pages, square 12mo, written on separate sheets; horizontal fold. With the original envelope, additionally signed twice and with cancelled 6-cent "air mail" stamp. New Guinea, [23 January 1945: from postmark]
". . . We played our 4th show to about 7,000 troops. So far, we've shown at 3 different theatres--outdoors of course. It's beautiful where we are billeted but very hot and plenty of rain. I play a hospital every day and along with other appearances and social handshakes I'm kept pretty busy. By the way the boys are furious about Stone's book. He has written some vicious letters to one of the boys about me and Ben [Washer?]." Beginning in 1941, Berlin began work on creating a patriotic musical inspired by the play he produced during the first World War, Yip Yip Yaphank. The new musical, entitled This Is the Army, premiered at the Broadway Theatre on July 4, 1942, under the direction of Ezra Stone. Beginning in 1943, This Is the Army was redesigned into a travelling show which toured the world, including Africa, Italy, Egypt, Iran, India, the Philippines, Guam, and Papua New Guinea.
