Highly rare and uncommonly early 8.6 x 7.5-inch black and white Triple H publicity portrait by Schafer, boldly signed and inscribed in-person in black fountain pen around 1942, during a World War II U.S.O. tour, for U.S. Army Major Stallop, who had pasted it into his scrapbook. Probably trimmed down from 8x10 inches, as there is no border. In good condition, with heavy mounting remnants on the verso from where it had been affixed to the scrapbook page. Upon removal, it was discovered that the Major had pasted to the back of the Lake a torn photo of himself with a beautiful actress-- I believe it is Joan Leslie. Excellent for display. Gorgeous World War II-era leading lady, singer and pin-up started out in bit roles in forgettable films of the late 1930s and early 1940s, billed as Constance Keane. In 1941, she landed a speaking role in I Wanted Wings, for which Paramount changed her name to Veronica Lake and contrived her trademark peekaboo hairdo. Audiences adored everything about her-- her acting, her smoky voice, her unique style-- and a star was born. She went on to star in Hold Back the Dawn (1941), Sullivan's Travels (1941), This Gun for Hire (1942), the horror-themed comedy I Married a Witch (1942), The Glass Key (1942), So Proudly We Hail! (1943), and The Blue Dahlia (1946), after which her career inexplicably fizzled. In 1973, the blonde beauty died tragically of hepatitis, aged only 50. Her autograph is highly sought and rather elusive in authentic format.

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