Pair of items for noted newspaperman and writer. After a notable failure in trying to organize a Colorado minor baseball league, Runyon moved to New York City in 1910. For the first ten years he covered the New York Giants and professional boxing for the New York American. He was best known for his short stories celebrating the world of Broadway in New York City that grew out of the Prohibition Era. The musical Guys and Dolls was based on 2 Runyon stories. First and foremost is the signed photo which comes in 18x22.5” wood frame with mat opening of 12x16”. High quality studio portrait boldly signed at lower left in brown ink “To Harry M. Strauss-Words Fail Me! Damon Runyon.” Signed to the photographer in reference to Runyon's extreme pleasure at the image himself. Lower right margin has penciled signature of studio “Strauss-Peyton K.C. 1917.” This studio which was founded in 1910 is the second oldest portrait studio in the country and still in business to this day. Some minor wear to the frame but overall Exc. and as nice as any Runyon signed photo you will find, further enhanced by the connection to the photographer. Included as a bonus is 7.5x9.5” original vintage glossy photo mounted to a slightly larger cardboard sheet with ink notation “Illustrator Paul Frehm Presents Portrait To Damon Runyon/Mirror Editor Jack Lart Looks On.” Fine. A superb pair for this literary legend. From the Richard Merkin Collection and comes with Hake's COA.