Eugene O'Neill (1888–1953), the only American playwright to win the Nobel Prize for Literature and four-time Pulitzer Prize winner, signed this large sepia-toned photograph "Sincerely, Eugene O'Neill" in black ink at the lower right. The photograph shows a young, vigorous O'Neill leaning against a railing outdoors, dressed casually in white trousers and a dark sweater, his characteristic dark good looks and direct gaze fully evident. The image dates stylistically to the 1920s, the period of his early triumphs including Anna Christie, Desire Under the Elms, and Strange Interlude.
O'Neill is the towering figure of American drama, and signed photographs from his active years are considerably scarcer than those of his theatrical contemporaries. This informal outdoor portrait, signed with a full name inscription, is an attractive and characterful example.
Estimate: $1,500–$2,500
This item will be accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from One of a Kind Collectibles.