Bing Crosby Original Artwork from "The Brown Derby" in Hollywood - By Nicholas Volpes

Offered is the Nicholas Volpe original pastel artwork of Bing Crosby that hung in the famous Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood, California. The list of other artists whose renderings that were displayed at The Brown Derby includes a Who's Who of the recording industry of the era: Elvis Presley, Petula Clark, Ella Fitzgerald, Glenn Miller, Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, Pat Boone, Patti Page, Jerry Lewis, Sam Cooke, Dave Brubeck, Hank Williams, Lena Horne and many more. Tens of thousands competed to gain reservations to the restaurants over the decades to catch sight of personalities and to view the portraits that adorned the walls. The restaurant deaccessioned the collection some years ago, and two other examples are available in this auction. The artwork is still in the original frame that graced the walls of The Brown Derby, complete with its small "Gold Record" disc attached to the matte. Volpe has signed boldly in the lower left and "Bing Crosby" is written on the matte area. The framed display measures 15 x 17 inches. Near Mint condition.