{"value"=>"<p>39 boxes. Item is a photograph unless otherwise noted.</p> <p>The largest group in the collection, this series contains approximately 858 portraits in half-length, bust, or head only, formats. Included are approximately 589 black and white photographs, approximately 30 original pastel or charcoal drawings, and some 239 black and white photomechanical reproductions of original drawings. Most of these photographs, reproductions, and drawings measure at least 9 1/2 × 12 in., 10 × 13 in., and 10 1/2 × 13 1/2 in. respectively. Most of the images are mounted on board to approximately 11 1/2 × 15 in.</p> <p>Depicted in this series are individuals involved in almost every aspect of the entertainment and performing arts. These include theater critics, composers, directors, producers, opera singers, writers, designers and actors and actresses for the stage, film, radio and television. Well over half of the subjects - some 520 - are identified, and many of these are well-known personalities. Among the notable personalities photographed or drawn by Kesslère are: Brooks Atkinson, Fred Astaire, Tallulah Bankhead, Clark Gable, Carol Channing, Russell Crouse, Alfred Drake, Wilbur Evans, Frank Fay, Andre Kostenlanetz, Anita Loos, Queena Mario, Lauritz Melchior, Adolph Menjou, Patrice Munsel, Jarmila Novotná, Sono Osato, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Will Rogers, Babe Ruth, Tito Schipa, Phil Silvers, Simone Simon, Kate Smith, K. T. Stevens, Julia Sze, Arturo Toscanini, Virgil Thomson, Clifton Webb, Mae West, and Paul Whiteman. The series also includes a self portrait of G. Maillard Kesslère.</p>"}