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Oblong small folio. 13x20". Black cloth boards with metal bolt binding. This collection is comprised of an album of mounted photos as well as loose photographs and other ephemera. The collection contains more that 150 original photographs, and an additional 6 original camera negatives. The photo album has the photographs mounted onto heavy black cardstock, one or two images per pages (often a pair of 8x10"s), with single-sided leaves. A group of 17 full leaves as well as 6 half-leaves have come loose or been cutout from the photo album, but are present. Images in the collection are in a number of different sizes ranging, from 3.75x4.75" to 10x13" (most are an average of 8x10"), types including sepia-toned and silver gelatin prints, and include matte, glossy and textured paper stocks. Among the figures photographs are countless Hollywood actors, movie stars, singers, and other celebrities including: William Powell, Donald Crisp, Robert Young, Olivia de Havilland, James Cagney, Walt Disney, Rita Haywoth, Judy Garland, Boris Karloff, Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, Dorothea Wieck, Gene Autry, John Boles, Jeanette MacDonald, Errol Flynn and Bob Hope. Numerous other currently unidentified Hollywood actors and industry figures are shown, including quite a number of film studio executives and members of the press/media. Of the photographs, 38 are signed and/or inscribed, including: Norma Shearer, Bette Davis (x2), Maurice Chevalier, Shirley Temple, Spencer Tracy, June Marlowe, Joan Crawford, Loretta Young, director Frank Borzage, Lupe Velez, Myrna Loy, Gladys George, El Brendel, House Jameson (radio actor), Douglas Fairbanks, Marguerite De La Motte, Nelson Eddy, May Robson, Freddie Bartholomew, Eleanor Powell, Margaret Sullavan, Irene Dunne and Ginger Rogers. The many of the photos in the collection show Merle Potter, or are inscribed to him, often catching him in casual or relaxed moments, socializing with the various celebrity figures, and/or actors on Hollywood film sets or Midwestern promotional events. Many photos, credited to quite a number of different photographers, display a similar style to that of the acclaimed Hollywood photographer Murray Garrett and his mater-of-fact style, with the images capturing these cultural figures in candid and unaffected moments. Some photos in the collection are however, traditional glamour portrait shots. A number of later photos in the collection show Potter with his wife Edith. A large group of photos and ephemera deal with the relationship between Potter and actress/singer Susanna Foster (aka "Suzanne" or "Suzan Larsen"), and his efforts to promote her career in Hollywood (Jan-Mar 1937). Foster is most know for her leading role as as the young soprano, Christine, in the 1943 film version of Phantom of the Opera. Potter, who like the young prospective star was from Minneapolis, seems to have acted as a mentor/guardian figure to her, and accompanied her as she made her way in Hollywood. Photographs (including an inscribed photo), show Foster accompanied by Potter, traveling, meeting Hollywood celebrities and having fun. Included are a number of portraits as well. Documents include 3 copies of invitations to a recital by "Suzanne" at the Nicollet Hotel in Minneapolis, "presented by Carl J. Johnson and Merle Potter", a letter from the Hotel management concerning her performances, copies of bills from the hotel, a handwritten note from Carl Johnson concerning the performances, and two typed letter from the law offices of Safford, Puttnam & Campbell concerning her contract with MGM. Also included is a telegram to Potter from production manager William "Bill" Koenig, also formerly a fellow resident of Minneapolis, thanking him for bringing Foster to the studio's attention (there are photos in the collection showing Potter and Koenig talking), and finally an 8-page letter to Potter from Susanna Foster thanking him for his support, discussing her new life in Hollywood, and her experience going to groom.
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