News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - Unique Auction Closing means that there are no Time Zones or Sniping to stop bidders from winning. This auction will probably not close completely until late Sunday June 25 in the afternnon or early evening. Don't think you missed out ... check it out.
ItsOnlyRockNRoll.com Pop Culture catalog auction closes Sat. June 24 beginning at 10 p.m. eastern when 5 minutes goes by without a bid on any of the 1200 lots including Harpo Marx's Harp with Photos.
Circa 1929/30. Actually, a Harpette! Nonetheless, this plastic Harpette was once a gift from Harpo Marx to his harp teacher, Mildred Dilling. Mildred inadvertantly met Harpo in a music store in NYC in 1929. While she was practicing on a demonstration harp in the store, Harpo was enchanted enough to say to her, "Lady, learn me that!". The perfectly comical teacher/student relationship developed very quickly.
When Harpo was off to Hollywood, Mildred would give Harpo lessons by telephone. He would play a passage to her on one end and if it was incorrect, she would actually drag her harp to the phone and play Harpo the corrected passage. The plastic Harpette was made by the Victor Salvi Company in New York circa the 1930s. Included in this lot is a 3 x 4" original black & white snapshot of Mildred and Harpo together. There also a photo of Harpo with the actual Harpette as well as a photo of Harpo and Art Linkletter with the instrument. Also included here is a piece of original artwork that pictures Harpo and Mildred's "lessons by phone", quite literally.
This seems to be a gift that Harpo had made for Mildred at some point in their relationship. We have also included a copy of an original trade ad for the Victor Salvi & Company; makers of the Harpette as well as conventional harps of all kinds.
Finally in this lot is a picture of Mildred in transit at the airport with all her luggage, various harps...and the Harpette! The Harpette itself is made of wood and plastic with nylon strings. It measures approximately 6 x 12 x 20". EX. It has some light cracks from age stemming from the pegholes that fasten to the top string pegs. There are a few light blemishes on the wooden frame as well.
This and 1199 other fabulous artifacts of Pop Culture are selling at www.itsonlyrocknroll.com.
