Bidspirit auction | Austrian & German Famous Signature

Austrian & German Famous Signature Autograph Guest Book - This auction includes two highly valuable pieces of memorabilia from the estate of Stephen Mayer of MEM Soap & Perfume Co and his son Gay Mayer of English Leather. During the years leading up to WWII, the MEM headquarters and boutique store in Vienna was visited by many famous artists, composers, actors, physicist's and royal family members. This guest book contains hundreds of entries, signatures and drawings of those who visited between 1932 and I believe the 1940's. There are also many many signatures which were obtained by Stephen Mayers son, Gay Mayer. It appears that Gay continued collecting signatures in his father's guest book throughout his career at English Leather. Also included is a beautiful original photo album of the MEM Soap & Perfume Co. It has wonderful photographs of the show room, manufacturing plant, workers and more. Some of the signatures and entries we've identified include those of Franz Lehar (composer - signed on postcard), Helene Salzer Wittgenstein (Ludwig Wittgenstein sister), Adele Kern (actress, singer), Alfred Jerger (opera singer, director), Ludwig Herzer (writer, lyricist), Vera Balser-Eberle (actress), Lili Marberg (actress). Fritz Grunbaum (writer), Alexander Lernet-Holenia (novelist, poet), Dudley F. Wolfe (adventurer), Carmen Weingartner-Studer (author), Kerstin Thorborg (singer), Carl Zuckmayer (writer), Lil Dagover (actress), Princess Alexandra Hohenlohe (russia), Alfred Piccaver (opera tenor), Norman Thomas (political activist). Steve Allen (actor, comedian, tv/radio host), Fritz Werner (composer, conductor), Richard Hughes (NJ Governor 1962-70), Arthur Godfrey (radio/tv broadcaster), Jimmy Durante (actor, comedian, singer), George Marshall (US Secretary of State 1947), Alexander Demetrius Goltz (painter), John A. Burns (Governor Honolulu 1970). Rogers C.B. Morton (US Secretary of Interior 1976), Llei Nastase (world #1 tennis player 1974), Henry Helstoski (NJ Congressman 1965-77), Wendell Ford (Kentucky governor 1971-74), Karen Lynne Kuhn (Miss Pennsylvania 1974), Dolph Briscoe (Texas Governor 1973-79), Henry Kissinger (US Secretary of State 1973-77). Corinne Alphen (Penthouse Pet of the Year 1978/81), Cyrus Vance (US Secretary of State 1977-80), John Y. Brown Jr. (Kentucky Governor 1979-83), Sherrill Milnes (operatic baritone), Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter, George HW Bush, Dean Rusk (US Secretary of State 1961-69), Cheryl Rixon (Penthouse Pet of the Year 1979), Joan Fontaine (actress) and many more. Please keep in mind, there are many signatures we were not able to identify so there may be many other important signatures we have not listed. It is also interesting to note that the property owned by The MEM Soap & Perfume Co was apparently seized by the Nazis during WWII. The family was eventually awarded a sum of money by a tribunal for the confiscation of that land, years after the war when the company relocated to the US. The signature book is approximately 20 3/8” x 13 1/2” and contains about 49 pages of guest book signatures ranging from 1932 to the 1940's, and about 53 pages of signed correspondence and photos which were obtained later on by Stephen Mayer's son, Gay Mayer. The original photo album is approximately 12 1/2” x 9 5/8”. The signature book and photo album have some signs of wear as shown. Provenance: Private Estate SHIPPING $65 Standard (within Continental US) provided In-House. Shipping method is determined by item size, type, fragility and specific characteristics. Shipping costs are calculated based on average carrier rates, delivery distance and packing complexity. INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS: Please email info@taurusauctions.com for shipping quote to your country. Condition: Condition reports are available upon request. Please email info@taurusauctions.com to make a request.