?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900
HILDEGARDE (HILDEGARDE LORETTA SELL, 1906-2005)
Three items Signed, or Inscribed and Signed, "Hildegarde": Typed Letter * Complete April 17 1939 issue of Life * Autograph Letter. The typed letter, to Chaw Mank, apologizing that she was unable to do a radio spot for him, promising to send a photograph of herself holding his book, agreeing to write a foreword for his new book, and giving travel plans. 1 page, 4to, "Palmer House" stationery; some soiling along horizontal folds, faint scattered foxing. The magazine, inscribed on the front cover: "Bless you / Judi dear / Love, Hildegarde." 84 pages. Folio, pictorial wrappers, staple binding; minor smudge to date in inscription. The autograph letter, to "Judi dear," thanking for gifts, asking about her Flordia adventure, expressing excitement about a show she is performing in, and sending a program for the show [not present]. 2 pages, 8vo, written on the recto and verso of a single sheet, personal stationery; horizontal folds. Chicago, 2 September 1957; Np, 20 November 1982; 3 January 1983.Chicago, 2 September 1957; Np, 20 November 1982; 3 January 1983
"The Incomparable Hildegarde" was a glamorous cabaret singer renowned around the world. Her image appeared on ads for various products and Revlon named a shade of lipstick and nail polish after her. And her fame was cemented with her 1939 appearance on the cover of Life magazine. Liberace cited her as one of his inspirations. Never married, Hildegarde had a 26 year long working relationship with Anna Sosenko.
1957: ". . . I will be opening at the Radisson Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 12th for three weeks, and will try to help in any way I can when I appear on radio and television. . . ." 1983: ". . . I love being in this show & Praise the Lord--it is . . . Hot--& so am I!! . . . ."
