Beschreibung:

Archive of material related to New York mayor James J. Walker including: 1. An engraved 14k gold ticket by Tiffany & Co., 106 x 68 mm, issued by the Shubert Theatre Corporation to "Hon. James J. Walker and Friends" granting admittance for a "Box Party to All Shubert Theatres," marked "No 1," small oval portrait photograph of Walker inset, scratched and scuffed. 2. An engraved white metal (likely silver, but unmarked) ticket, 94 x 53 mm, 1926, issued by the Publix Theatre Corporation to "Honorable James J. Walker and Guests" granting admittance to the Rivoli–Rialto Theatres, faint scratching. 3. An engraved 14k gold cigarette case of rectangular outline, 125 x 80 mm, with engraved initials "J.J.W." on lid and "Mayor James J. Walker / From / Bobby Jones and Your Atlanta Friends / July 2nd 1930" on inside of upper lid, light scratching. Apparently presented to Walker by champion Atlanta golfer Bobby Jones 4. An English silver cigarette case by Asprey, London, 1928, fashioned in the form of an envelope, 135 x 90 mm, engraved address "Hon. James J. Walker / Mayor of the City of New York / City Hall / New York N.Y. / U.S.A. / Very personal" on upper lid, with engraved post mark "London W 1 / Aug 12 / 1 PM / 1928 A" on upper lid and with enamel three halfpence stamp inset to upper right corner, engraved post mark "New York / 11 AM / Aug 19 / 28" on lower lid, faint scratching, loss to upper corner of enamel stamp. 5. A gold St. Christopher medal, diameter 30 mm, edges cut and opening to reveal portraits of Walker's young daughter and son on either side, engraved on reverse "To a / nice / person," and impressed "2106" at edge of reverse. 6. Two swagger sticks, 32 inches and 34 inches, one ebonized with gilt bronze knop handle, unscrewing to convert to a pool cue, the other a fruitwood with a repouseé decorated brass handle, scratched, ebonized stick lacking tip, tip split on fruitwood stick. 7. A group of approximately 55 large silver print photographs, 7 by 9 to 10 x 13 inches, 1930s-40s, of Walker at ceremonies, parades, and other public events; with second wife Betty Compton and their adopted children, Mary Ann and James, Jr., at home and on vacation; overall very good condition. WITH: Approximately 15 smaller photographs of Walker and family, including a few photographic postcards. AND WITH: A large folio of contemporary press clippings related to Walker, likely assembled by the family; letters to Mary Ann Walker from Betty Compton and several promotional photographs of Compton documenting her acting career; and miscellaneous papers, photographs, and effects. A COLLECTION OF PERSONAL EFFECTS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND OTHER MATERIAL RELATED TO ICONIC NEW YORK CITY MAYOR, JIMMY WALKER. Following an early career as a tin-pan alley songwriter (his biggest hit was 1908's "Will You Love Me in December as You Do in May?"), Walker turned his attention to politics, serving as a state assemblyman then senator before being elected to the first of two terms as New York City's mayor in 1925. Though he was already a well-known and well-liked public figure, as mayor Walker's popularity soared to great heights. "The insouciant Walker was master of ceremonies for New York in the Jazz Age. Rarely rising before ten in the morning, he could be found at Broadway openings, ringsides, parades, or casinos— almost any place but city hall. He took seven vacations during his first two years in office. A notorious womanizer, he also began a widely publicized affair with Betty Compton, an actress, twenty-three years his junior. Local newspapers fueled his popularity by celebrating his exploits while ignoring his indiscretions ... More than anything Walker symbolized a time and place. Newspaper columnist Ed Sullivan declared that 'Jimmy Walker somehow or other seemed to be New York brought to life in one person'" (ANB).