GERSHWIN, IRA
Photograph depicting Ira and George Gershwin composing, inscribed to Harold Arlen in 1938. A large format vintage gelatin silver print depicting Ira and George Gershwin composing at the piano in about 1935, inscribed at lower right "For Harold-/From Ira/Beverly Hills/June 1, 1938." 10 x 12 inches (25 x 30 cm). Crease to the lower corner just touching the inscription, a few stray marks.

Provenance: A Portion of the Harold Arlen Archives, Property of Mrs. Rita Arlen

A remarkable memorial photograph inscribed for Harold Arlen from Ira Gershwin within a year of his brother George's untimely death in July 1937. In the few years preceding his death, George Gershwin lived in Beverly Hills and Arlen was a frequent visitor and can be seen in many photographs enjoying the pool and tennis courts. As George's condition deteriorated, he moved into E.Y. Harburg's vacant home nearby died there after an unsuccessful surgery. George Gershwin and Harold Arlen were quite close, in fact Gershwin said that Arlen was "the most original of all of us", and the death of his friend was quite a blow. The present photograph must be considered a memorial keepsake of their fond relationship and was presented to Arlen within a year of George's death, in a period of great mourning for his brother Ira. We do not trace another example of a photograph inscribed by Ira Gershwin in this dark period.