RARE VINTAGE Autograph Book

This wonderful autograph book belonged to the twin daughters of nightclub owner Eddy Ramshaw, Betty Jane and Joanne (Ramsahai), who were born in 1946. It is made of red leatherette and measures 6 1/8 inches by 5 1/8 inches. The binding on the front is separated but not torn away from the book. Each of the autographs are on separate pages as shown in the photographs. Eddy Ramshaw owned many nightclubs and restaurants during the 40’s and 50’s two of which were the West Side Show Spot at 48th Street in the Theatre District and The Mabel Mercer ByLine Room at 56th Street and 5th Avenue. Mabel Mercer was a legendary cabaret singer Mabel Mercer was born in 1900 in Staffordshire, England. By the 1930s she was the toast of Paris, introducing her style of singing to audiences and admirers as Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cole Porter, and the Prince of Wales. She came to the United States with the advent of  World War II where she began a series of engagements at New York’s finest supper clubs and she enjoyed brilliant concert triumphs and record-breaking appearances across the United States. The West Side Show Spot was mentioned numerous times in Walter Winchell’s column. The entertainers who autographed this book would use the ByLine Room as a meeting place. Frank Sinatra came to hear and learn from her. It is said that the phraseology he used in his songs, he learned from her. He also romanticized Ava Gardner in this nightclub. This book contains autographs by the following luminaries:

• Frank Sinatra

For Betty Jane, Chris and Joane ~

Love and XXXXXX

Frank Sinatra

• Sammy Davis

To Joann and Betty

My Best Always-

Sammy Davis Jr.

•  Dorothy Collins

Born Marjorie Chandler in Windsor, Ontario on November 18, 1926, she began her professional singing career at age 14. She is known primarily as the lead singer on the long-running 1950s NBC television show "Your Hit Parade." Her first Top-20 single charted in 1955. She and first husband, Raymond Scott, had their own record label; she surprised her fans with a number of critically well-received jazz performances. She was also very successful with night club engagements.

To Betty Jane and Joanne~

With Love and best wishes Always

Dorothy Collins and Raymond Scott

•  Sylvia Syms

Sylvia Syms was born Sylvia Blagman on December 2, 1917, in Brooklyn. She was one of America's most distinguished cabaret and jazz singers with an appreciation of lyrics. Sylvia discovered the wonders of jazz in the clubs of New York's 52nd Street while still in her teens and was inspired and informally trained by Billie Holiday. Frank Sinatra called her the "Buddha" on account of her short stature, but he was one of her greatest admirers, hailing her as "the best saloon singer in the world". He also produced her 1982 album Syms By Sinatra. She died of a heart attack while performing a tribute program to Frank Sinatra in the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan.

To the daughters of my devine ex-employers~With best wishes and lots of love

Sylvia Syms

 

• Cy Coleman

Cy Coleman was one of the all-time great composers of Broadway musicals. Among Coleman's many standards are "If My Friends Could See Me Now," "Big Spender," "The Best Is Yet to Come," "Witchcraft," "Pass Me By," "Hey, Look Me Over," "Real Live Girl," "I've Got Your Number," and "The Colors of My Life." He was born Seymour Kaufman on June 14, 1929 in the Bronx to East European Jewish immigrant parents.Over the years, Coleman collaborated with many great lyricists, including Dorothy Fields, Carolyn Leigh, Michael Stewart, David Zippel, A.E. Hotchner, Betty Comden & Adolph Green. His first lyric-writing partner was Joseph A. McCarthy, with whom he wrote "Why Try to Change Me Now," recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1952. Upon teaming with Carolyn Leigh and scoring a major hit for Sinatra with "Witchcraft" in 1958, Coleman turned his full attention to writing.

For Betty Jane, Chris and Joanne,

Very Best,

Cy Coleman 

 This is a wonderful collection of autographs all in one outstanding book.  You will be hard pressed to ever find an authentic piece like this again.

$1900