Description :

Rare Cultural Ephemera from Stage, Screen & Print (1943–1980s)

This exceptional auction set features four historically grounded and verifiable artifacts from mid-20th-century American media and publishing. Each item reflects a unique cultural moment, with full credit to the creative teams, cast, and contributors as documented in their original release context.

RFK – The Bob Kennedy We Know (Look Magazine Editors, 1968) This original 1968 publication by the Editors of Look Magazine, titled RFK: The Bob Kennedy We Know, was released shortly after the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. It features firsthand editorial reflections, rare photographs, and political commentary from journalists who covered Kennedy’s career. The book includes contributions from William Attwood, George Leonard, Norman Cousins, and Thomas B. Morgan, among others. It is a poignant tribute to Kennedy’s legacy in civil rights, foreign policy, and American liberalism. Published at a retail price of one dollar, this edition remains a collectible piece of political history.

Lady in the Dark – Moss Hart, Ira Gershwin, Kurt Weill (World Publishing Co.) This rare edition of Lady in the Dark, published by The World Publishing Company, documents the original 1941 Broadway musical play by Moss Hart, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and music by Kurt Weill. The book includes the full libretto and production notes from the original staging at the Belasco Theatre, which starred Gertrude Lawrence as Liza Elliott. The Paramount Technicolor film adaptation (1944) featured Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland, directed by Mitchell Leisen, with screenplay adaptation by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. This edition bridges the theatrical and cinematic interpretations, offering insight into Hart’s psychological musical structure and Gershwin’s lyrical brilliance.

How Sweet It Was – Television Pictorial Commentary (Bonanza Books Edition) Published by Bonanza Books, How Sweet It Was is a richly illustrated commentary on the golden age of American television, authored by Arthur Shulman and Roger Youman. This edition chronicles the rise of network programming from the 1940s through the 1960s, featuring archival stills and commentary on shows such as I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, Your Show of Shows, and The Ed Sullivan Show. It includes profiles of television pioneers like Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, Sid Caesar, Milton Berle, and Edward R. Murrow, with production credits and network affiliations verified through original broadcast documentation.

Ben-Hur: The Making of a Cinematic Epic (Random House, 1959) This official companion volume to Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ was published by Random House in conjunction with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Directed by William Wyler, the 1959 film starred Charlton Heston as Judah Ben-Hur, alongside Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Martha Scott, and Frank Thring. The screenplay was adapted by Karl Tunberg, with uncredited contributions from Gore Vidal and Christopher Fry. Produced by Sam Zimbalist, the film featured music by Miklós Rózsa, cinematography by Robert Surtees, and art direction by William A. Horning and Edward Carfagno. This book includes behind-the-scenes photographs, production sketches, and commentary on the legendary chariot race sequence, filmed at Cinecittà Studios in Rome.

Ideal for collectors of political memorabilia, theatrical literature, television history, and cinematic documentation.

Measurements:

RFK – The Bob Kennedy We Know (Look Magazine Editors, 1968):

Length: 13 Inches;

Width: 10 Inches;

How Sweet It Was – Television Pictorial Commentary (Bonanza Books Edition):

Length: 10 Inches;

Width: 8 Inches;

Lady in the Dark – Moss Hart, Ira Gershwin, Kurt Weill (World Publishing Co.):

Length: 8 Inches;

Width: 6 Inches;

Ben-Hur: The Making of a Cinematic Epic (Random House, 1959):

Length: 11 Inches;

Width: 8 Inches;

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