Choice antique 4.25 x 6.5-inch sepia-tone cabinet photo by Morrison Studios, boldly signed and inscribed in violet nibbed pen ink in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1900, during his pre-Hollywood stage career, making this the earliest autographed image of the star we have ever encountered. In fine condition for its age, with a few minor flecks of soiling along the edges. Veteran stage and early film actor Hobart Bosworth, who was also a noteworthy director and producer, was the very first screen actor to portray Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, in the1908 horror film of the same name. Two years later, he starred as The Wizard of Oz in the first film adaptation of Frank L. Baum's beloved fantasy series. In 1913, Bosworth founded his own company, Bosworth, Inc., where he directed and starred in a seven-reel adaptation of The Sea Wolf (1913), later headlining in John Barleycorn (1913), The Valley of the Moon (1914) and Martin Eden (1914). During this period, he was active in silent comedy shorts and full-length features.  Eventually, the company merged with Paramount, and Bosworth drifted into supporting roles. He appeared in scores of B-westerns and serials, typically cast as kind, fatherly types, both occasionally as a heartless Boss Villain. His other contributions to the horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery genres include The Leopard Queen (1909), The Polo Substitute (1912), A Messenger to Kearney (1912), Joan the Woman (1916), The Devil-Stone (1916), The Chinese Parrot (1927), Just Imagine (1930), The Phantom Express (1932), The Dark Hour (1936), The Secret of Treasure Island (1938), and Rollin' Plains (1938).

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