I have a photograph signed by Humphrey Bogart that I wish to sell but I thought it might be a good item for a Blog in Autograph Magazine.
 
During the 1939/45 war American soldiers were stationed in a camp near to our home in the U.K., as a young boy I vividly remember tanks rolling down our street and me vowing that one day I would own my own ‘jeep’, which all British kids thought were terrific ~ unfortunately this never came to pass and I think I am a little too old now.

Somehow, we gradually became friends with a Captain in the camp and it was suggested by my mother that ‘limey’ families within the area might open their doors once a week to say four (4) U.S. servicemen to hold afternoon tea for them to make them feel more ‘at home’ so to speak. i.e. ‘apple pie’ instead ‘blueberry’!

It came to pass and once a week we warmly received into our home servicemen from all walks of life.   On one such occasion during the conversation turned to the world of Hollywood and my mother stated that her favourite film star was Humphrey Bogart, one of the men present stated that his father was a movie director or someone high up the scale in Hollywood and that he had been around MGM etc many times with his dad.     According to my mother the conversation eventually turned to other things and in the fullness of time the American forces went back to the US.

Within about two or three months from the end of the war a framed photograph appeared in the post of H.B. together with a 'thank you letter' from this particular soldier stating that H.B. had signed it and that the photograph had been taken in his own home - the signature is fully readable but faded in part and states 'To my English friends with every good wish - Humphrey Bogart'  I have no reason to believe that this is anything but totally authentic - however, the letter that accompanied it has been lost over the years.

I have looked in many areas of autograph collecting and asked many people about this photo and like myself, they have never seen one like it or seen one anywhere for sale.

The picture including the frame is 10' x 8' which was standard size at that time and is in a contemporary style frame.

Many thanks for reading my story I hope you found it interesting ~ my Email address is ~ kenwal147@hotmail.com  ~ should anyone wish to contact me.

Ken Walton ~ in the UK.