Sherlock Holmes [Farewell Appearances of William Gillette] 1929–1932

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Title

Sherlock Holmes [Farewell Appearances of William Gillette] 1929–1932

Coverage

New York

Publisher

R. H. Russell

Date

1929

Subject

Front and back cover artwork by Frederic Dorr Steele

Description

This profile of Gillette’s detective appears on the back cover of the souvenir programs for the play’s long-running Farewell Tour, 1929–1932. A prolific and versatile actor, Burford Hampden (1898–1986) played the page boy Billy in a 1915 revival of Sherlock Holmes, in the 1916 silent movie, and in the Farewell Tour. He received the drawing from the artist, then sent it to Gillette for his signature.