Beschreibung:

Lot of 21 photographs, several framed and 2 loose with inscriptions to Lois DeFee, a 6'4 burlesque star who started her career as a bouncer. Items include: A 9 x 11 in. frame of famous comedian and singer, Joe Lewis He personally inscribes on his photograph: "To Lois, My best wishes for you. Sincerely, Joe Lewis " Lewis began his career in cabarets and night clubs in Chicago. Celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin, Sophie Tucker, Eddie Cantor, Texas Guinan, and mob boss Al Capone frequented the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge in Chicago, where Lewis performed. A rival Chicago gang offered him to sing at their club, "The New Rendezvous," but the owner of the Green Mill, (a crony of Capone) slit Lewis' throat before he had the chance to leave. He survived the attack. In recompense for the violent action, Capone gave Lewis $10,000 to help him during his recovery. Years later, he learned how to speak and sing again, but his shaken confidence led to disappointing performances. He retired from his singing career and focused on his comedy act. He appeared in many movies and television shows. His friend, Frank Sinatra, starred in the movie The Joker is Wild, a 1955 biographical film about Joe Lewis' life and encounter with the mob. He died in 1971 of a heart attack. A framed 9 x 7 in. signed photograph of "Billy 'Zoot' Reed," a beloved burlesque comedian, that reads: "To Lois, WHAT-A-GAL-AND-A-PAL-TO-FRIENDS-WE-LOVE-YOU. Billy 'Zoot" Reed, 3/4/59." 10 x 8 in framed portrait of three comedic performers. The signature in in black in and is unreadable near the suits. It reads, "To Lois, Best W[ishes]? Sincerely, Ritz Bros." The Ritz brothers starred in several comedic films at the time. 9 x 10.75 in framed photo of "Nous Anne." He writes, "To Lois: Sincere compliments to one who has it all, embodied indeed greekings, George Sivo (Givo?) 'Nous Anne.'" 9 x 11 in framed photograph of a man performing on the radio. He writes, "To Lois, Real swell people I says, best always to, Jack Green" A 9 x 11 in. framed photo where Burt Frohman scrawls, "To 'Tex"- A choice piece if ever there was one. Sincerely, Burt Frohman." Framed 9 x 11 in silver gelatin of an older man and young girl sleeping in a tree. One performer writes, "Hello Lois Wally and Rural Ann." A 6 x 9.5 in photograph of a performer in ragged clothes, possibly attempting to resemble a "tramp" or hobo. He writes, "With Love, To Lois from the man you love Geo Benny 'Wop' Lewis." 10.5 x 13.5 signed photograph from "Lccucey" Louis, "To Lois a truly savage void of perovacity [sic] with a great deal of flaire(?) Sincerely 'Lccucey' Lewis(?)" 7.25 x 9.25 – "To Lois / With Love/ Betty Hutton.” Betty Hutton (Elizabeth June Thornburg, 1921-2007) actress, comedienne, singer; “Annie Get your Gun." Some water damage at top. 9 in. max. dimension, cut-out around head and shoulders, not framed – “To Lois, one of the grandest persons I ever met. Ann.” Possibly Ann Sothern (even in b-&-w, the hair looks red, and she was originally a redhead before becoming a “bottle blonde”) (1909-2001). 7 x 9 (trimmed margins, not framed) – “To Lois: To one grand person. Best always, your ??? May your success continue always as you find it today Sincerely Marlane TEX.” On verso in pencil – “Coming Dec. 22 Mary Lane (Marlane) the Texas Glamour girl” (with Dayton, Ohio photographer's stamp). Has been written over in ballpoint, underlying ink faded. 9 x 12.5 framed – “Lois – Don’t think it ain’t been charming – Lots of love. Jackie.” 7 x 9in. “To Lois – Friendships are not formed easily – Not to be taken casually. I hope ours will last ! I do like your “Toads” (? Loads) Virginia – 1936?” 7 x 9.25 – “Dear Lois because we love you very much we wish you only the best in life. Love Leon & Danny and even, Vol?[cut off].” Glamor pose with a black & white Borzoi (Russian wolfhound), who does not look amused with the photographic process. 7 x 8.75 – “For ‘Lois DeFee’ The 100% Glamor Girl & Swell person. Success to Happiness Always. Sin