"HELEN MORGAN" POPULAR TORCH SINGER BUTTON WITH "TOOTSIE TOY" PIANO ACCENT.
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Starting Bid:
$86.25 (Includes 15% Buyer's Premium)
Bids:
0
Bidding Ended:
Thursday, June 23, 2011 1:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Thursday, June 23, 2011 1:00:00 PM)
Time Left:
Ended
Auction:
Auction #203 - Part II
Item numbers 1429 through 3205 in auction 203
Value Code:
F/G - $75 to $200 Help Icon
Item Description
1.75" shows her with her name below caption "A Night at the Moulin Rouge." Spring pin of reverse holds rwb ribbon which loops through a white metal miniature piano finished in cream color. The lower back panel of the piano has 3/16" long spot with a casting flaw where there is both an absence of a thin layer of metal as well as the cream paint. Rest of the piano has NM paint and the button itself is essentially Mint. In the 1920s she was immensely popular and famous for her 'draped-over-the-piano' look which became her signature image while performing at Billy Rose's Backstage Club in 1925. In spite of Prohibition, she was a reputed heavy drinker and it was remarked that her trade mark of performing while perched atop the piano was often because she was too intoxicated to stand up. She performed in many Broadway productions as well as numerous movies. The title on this button comes from a 1939 stage production and this item was likely sold as a souvenir at the theater. Rare.
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