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BELA LUGOSI signed First Day Cover envelope - 1944

Looking for a nice (and authentic) Bela Lugosi, I was offered this 1944 first day cover. The stamp commemorates' Hollywood's anniversary and someone attached a small photo of Lugosi and the signature is underneath. The cancellation is also on Halloween of that year. Would certainly appreciate thoughts either way on how this looks...

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on February 5, 2021 at 1:30pm

This look very nice - bold, strong and the date is Halloween! For me, I would go for an SP - FDC might turn some off.

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Permalink Reply by Mikex on February 5, 2021 at 1:45pm

i have this one I might be tempted to sell

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Permalink Reply by JXE on February 7, 2021 at 7:40am

He signed a couple like this. I have one and you can see it in my avatar image.

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on February 7, 2021 at 8:12am

That's very nice, JXE. Do you happen to know the backstory on why he was signing these Halloween 1944 envelopes? Seeing these, I'm curious.

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Permalink Reply by JXE on February 7, 2021 at 9:42am

I'm not sure of the backstory. Some clever collector must have put together the date and the location and figured they'd make a great item. I've seen a small handful over the years. You can't go wrong with the great contrast of the ink on the envelope, the image, and the postmark.

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on February 7, 2021 at 11:13am

I agree, it's a fine presentation all the way around. Plus the actual postal stamp commemorating 50 years of movies has a great WWII period feel to it. Luckily the collector supplied Bela with a fountain pen that was ready to go with thick ink.

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on February 7, 2021 at 11:50am

Great item. It would look very nice matted with a photo.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on February 7, 2021 at 12:12pm

Yes, it would. I have a photo from the Lugosi family of the type and pose in the other thread with the Beckett signatures I would be willing to part with. Likely a left over from what Bela had printed. It was sent in 1975 or '76 by Bela Jr - letter included which refers to "a photo of Dad". You can email me if interested at magikbilly@yahoo.com. It is the ideal size that won't overpower the FDC.

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on February 7, 2021 at 1:14pm

I was told that the signed envelope came from an estate of an old-time collector. I asked for a better scan and it appears like the address of the original recipient was erased. The one or two others of these I have seen also were postally used and had recipients' addresses on them. Is that the case with yours, JXE?

I know that Bela was a stamp collecting enthusiast. I wonder if these weren't sent out by him....

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Permalink Reply by JXE on February 7, 2021 at 1:38pm

Mine still has the address, and it appears to be the same, or similar, as the address that was erased from the image you posted (based on what's still there).