Will Rogers Rare Signed Artwork Custom Framed Display (PA LOA)

Will Rogers Rare Signed Artwork - Signed One Year Before His Passing

Offered here is an original pen and ink sketch portrait of Rogers, accomplished by artist J.K. Hood and dated by the artist. Opposite the artist's signature is a handsome ink signature from the beloved performer himself, and given the date of the artwork, would have been signed by Rogers a year (or less) before his untimely demise. The sketch is housed in a beautiful custom framed display along with a section from a magazine where the sketch has been published. Impressive!

The youngest of eight children, William Penn Adair Rogers was born on November 4, 1879 at Rogers Ranch in Oologah, Indian Territory (what is now Oklahoma). His parents, Clement Vann Rogers and Mary Schrimsher, were partly of Cherokee descent. While growing up on the family ranch, Will worked with cattle and learned to ride and lasso from a young age. He grew so talented with a rope, in fact, that he was placed in the Guiness Book of World Records for throwing three lassos at once. One went around the horse's neck, another circled around the rider, and the third flew under the horse, looping all four legs together. In 1918, Will began acting in several silent films, including Laughing Bill Hyde (1918) and The Ropin' Fool (1921), among others. When "talkies" came in, Will became a national star. His several credits in talking films include such titles as They Had to See Paris (1929) and State Fair (1934). His simple language and country roots appealed to audiences, who saw him as one of their own. Throughout his career, Will starred in 71 films and several Broadway productions. In 1934, he was voted the most popular male actor in Hollywood. Sadly, Will's life was cut short at the age of 55. In 1935, he planned a vacation with aviator Wiley Post, flying to Alaska with some stops along the way. Will had already flown all over the world as a reporter, visiting London, Manchuria, Java, Egypt, South America, Japan, Moscow and destinations all over America. The ill-fated flight to Alaska, however, took the life of America's most beloved celebrity. Tragically, on August 15, 1935, Will and Wiley's flight crashed near Point Barrow, Alaska, taking both of their lives. Will's untimely death shocked and saddened the nation.

The piece includes an LOA and lifetime authenticity guarantee from Pristine Auction.

Authentication: Pristine Auction LOA (details)

Due to the uniqueness of each item, please refer to the photos provided in this auction. We offer high resolution images of each item rather than a written description of condition.

This item is being shipped from an approved vendor's location.