Autograph Seeker: The Estate of Gary Combs

Gary Combs, a Manhattan autograph dealer known for finding manuscripts, documents, and letters for several prominent collectors, started his career in the mid-1970s as a salesman. When his store closed in the late 1980s, Combs bought several autographed items and opened a specialized company. The upcoming auction, presented by Doyle, will feature over 150 items from his estate. Highlighted is an autographed letter by President John Adams to Secretary of War James McHenry. The letter, dated April 14, 1799, was written during the buildup of troops during the XYZ Affair.

The auction also presents various documents from 19th– and 20th-century composers and instrumentalists, including Giacomo Meyerbeer, Giacomo Puccini, Ricard Strauss, Igor Stravinsky, and Vernon Duke. A 1918 letter from a young Talullah Bankhead to her father is also among the featured lots. In the letter, she tells her father about her satisfaction with working in show business. Rounding out the collection are documents and signed photographs from Judy Garland, Rudolf Valentino, Audrey Hepburn, and Douglas Fairbanks. Browse the entire catalog and register to bid online on Invaluable.