Friday, July 11, 2008

Souvenir Friday-Jimmy Starr Letters

Here are two interesting letters that were sent to Jimmy Starr from Disneyland. Jimmy was one of the original park lessees, operating Jimmy Starr's Show Business. The store specialized in Movie Memorabilia such as photographs and postcards of stars. He also had a small display of movie wardrobes and props. Jimmy was also the Hollywood entertainment reporter for the Los Angeles Herald Express. The first letter is a letter of appreciation for the positive review of Disneyland from opening day.

The second letter introduces Jimmy as a lessee at Disneyland. The letter would have been used by manufacturers to verify that he was legitimate and credit worthy.

3 comments:

Major Pepperidge said...

Wow, rare papers related to a forgotten store on Main Street.

I'm sure "Jimmy Starr" was his real name!

Katella Gate said...

I met Ed Ettinger many years ago when I was running the exhibits department on the Queen Mary. Jack and Bonita Wrather had just taken over the ship's lease and consulted with him on improvements that could be made.

If I had known he was with Disney at the opening of the park, I would have tried to talk to him at greater length... Oh well, that was over 30 years ago.

outsidetheberm said...

Great stuff!