Cat. #0015412223: RALPH "RAFE" HOLMES

Absolutely impossible to find vintage inscribed blue fountain pen signature on a 4x6-inch pale green autograph album page, acquired in-person at New York's Majestic Theater in 1939. In good condition and just the second example we have encountered in over 30 years. Note that the image of the star shown here alongside the scan of the signed piece is not included. Athletic, good-looking Hollywood hopeful Ralph "Rafe" Holmes was the brother of Phillips Holmes, memorable in the role of Martos in the sci-fi serial Undersea Kingdom (1936). Serving in the military alongside his more celebrated brother, who was killed in combat, he suffered tremendous grief, as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and did not return home to a hero's welcome from his wife, troubled torch singer Libby Holman. Sinking into alcoholism and drug abuse, he became Holman's second husband to commit suicide, taking his life by barbiturate overdose at the age of 30. AN IMPOSSIBLE autograph to find!