Mae West, an extremely rare collection of portraits, publicity photographs and newspaper clippings (72) (ca. 1934-1980). The stills are retrospective of her life as a sex symbol, playwright, business woman, and philanthropist throughout her career, from stage to screen. This collection includes stylized black and white studio photographs of the actress wearing beautiful gowns, diamonds and furs. There are few stills of Mae dressed up as the esteemed siren Diamond Lil. Other photographs capture moments of personal victory such as: her hospital stay in Baltimore then leaving the hospital after receiving treatment, signing an autographs book for India’s royalty Nawab Zaheeruddin Khan and the Princess of Hyderabad, on a silence strike in a deposition hearing with alleged former husband Frank Wallace, meeting with Moral Re-Armament leader Dr. Frank Buchman and posing in front of a jail cell due to the explicit play she wrote and produced called Sex. There are many newpaper clippings from the Philadelphia Bulletin and the Philadelphia Inquirer. There are articles and photos announcing her death.There are photos by esteemed photographer James Hargis Connelly. There are also a collection of stills from notable events such as: The Mr. America pageant, The World’s Most Eligible Bachelors contest, the fights at the Hollywood Legion Stadium, The March of Dimes charity, The Childhood Nephrosis charity, the Hotel Sahara Las Vegas performance and being a consummate musician playing the drums. The movie stills in this collection are from such controversial films as: Belle of the Nineties, Catherine Was Great, Every Day’s A Holiday, It Ain’t No Sin, The Heat’s On, Myra Breckinridge, Pleasure Man and She Done Him Wrong. Celebrities appearing with Cary Grant, Jack West (brother), Beverly West (sister), Mrs. W.C. Soden (the wife of W.C. Fields.Verso some photographs have marks, newspaper clippings authenticating the image, Acme stamps. Some photographs have editorial descriptions, dates, credits and marks. Various Sizes (2.5" X 4.5" - 8” X 10”)