Between the Covers

Unbound. Sepia-tone gelatin silver photograph. Approximately 10" x 13". Stamp of "Ruth Harriet Louise Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Photographer" and another stating "Cecil B. DeMille / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Producer - Director," both on the verso. DeMille is posed in suit and fedora, with his hands on his hips, and staring to his right. Tiny crease in lower right corner, else about fine.

Inscribed by DeMille in purple ink across the lower right portion of his dark suit, and thus a little difficult to read: "To Jane, an A1 Assistant Director. Love, Cecil." Our source for the photograph noted the recipient as Jane Runyan, although we could find no reference to an assistant director of that name. Ruth Harriet Louise was the first woman photographer active in Hollywood. The sister of film director Mark Sandrich, she ran Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's portrait studio from 1925 to 1930, when she was succeeded by George Hurrell.

A large and impressive vintage image taken by a noted female photographed and gifted to a female director. DeMille had a long and successful career in Hollywood, and his later signatures are not rare. However, an oversize image taken early in his career and with an obviously personal inscription is uncommon.

Item #501606