Between the Covers

Hardcover. Oblong quarto. Measuring 13" x 10". String-tied tan cloth over stiff paper boards. Contains 382 sepia-toned or black and white gelatin silver photographs measuring between 1" x 1" and 5" x 7", with captions. Good only album with loose pages, short tears, and small chips with near fine photographs. Additionally included are four Typed Letters Signed from Gene Autry with envelopes.

An extensive photo album compiled by Harriet Norman, head of the Gene Autry fan club in the 1940s. This album shows Norman and other fans as they follow Autry between 1940 and 1945 at his public appearances and other events. Autry is seen throughout the album as Norman and her friends find him after shows on the street and during shows themselves. Many of the images are candids of Autry and his entourage usually entering or exiting hotels, cars, and event spaces with every photo extensively captioned. A few of the images are Signed by Autry either on site or, according to a letter featured here, on photographs sent by Norman to Autry for his signature. Autry was serving with the Army during this period and many of the images feature him in uniform. Additionally included are photos of Autry’s Hollywood home, his wife Ina Mae, professional headshots, putting his hands in the cement in the walk of fame, and stills from Autry films taken by Norman in the audience including *Gaucho Serenade* and *South of the Border*. Sections of the album are from rodeos at Soldier’s Field and Madison Square Garden showing Gene on his horse Champ and with other performers. Norman also received four letters from Autry all typed on his personal stationary including one from the U.S. Air Corps. The letters are friendly, thanking Harriet for her kindness, gifts, and recent visits with the fan club. On January 12, 1944 he writes, “It was mighty nice of you to think of me.” Another from July of that year reads, “I like it very much in Dallas and am on flying duty in the 5th Ferrying Group.”

Gene Autry, also known as “The Singing Cowboy,” was an actor, singer, and rodeo star beginning in the 1930s. Autry was discovered by Will Rogers while working as a telegraph operator in Oklahoma in the late 1920s and began his career as a “Yodeling Cowboy” on the radio. Throughout his decades as an entertainer he made 93 films, starred in over 90 television productions, wrote 300 songs, and recorded over 600. He had a fervent fan base due to successful tours and was the first artist to sell out Madison Square Garden. This album shows the support from his fan base who were willing to follow him throughout the country to attend events. At the outbreak of World War II Autry joined the Army Air Forces as a Technical Sergeant. He earned his wings and worked his way up to the position of Flight Officer for a Ferrying Squadron. Later he headed a USO troupe on a tour of the South Pacific before being honorably discharged in 1946.

A voluminous collection of photographs assembled by a loyal Gene Autry fan in the 1940s.

Item #467292