Here it is. From the collection of Miss-y Tally we present to you the portrait of Carole Lombard that hung in the Encino ranch home:

Aint she a beauty? I am sure the actual painting is much more rich than this scanned photo can allow but it’s still so lovely and it really captures Carole.

As for a little background information and history of the item its owner Tally says: “Immediately off the top of my head I know it was sold during one of the first sales /parting of her things likely Jean G, had in the early 40s. Apparently it could be the one from his bedroom,as from that article you sent.”

The article I sent Tally described an identical portrait that hung above Clark’s bed and the owner at the time said he had received the item from Kay Gable herself. I guess she wasn’t too comfortable looking up to the love of her husband’s life every night. Who could blame her?

Anyways, below is a Q&A love fest I had with Tally to learn more about this fascinating piece of Hollywood history. Read on.

Where did you get this portrait from?

Well, the crazy thing was that for a day it was up on ebay under “CAROL Lombard”.. That’s when I first saw it. The party was from California; I wrote to them immediately said I’d DEFINITELY buy it and they liked me I guess and took it off the same day..They let me buy it from them. . . it was amazing because during that time I was in between the radiation and chemotherapy for the second cancer, so it helped HUGELY to have something great to look forward to.

It was after I received it, and was told that it had hung at the ranch in Encino; the outer frame could use a careful cleaning, it looks like an oil painting, very delicate, even down to her fingertips and the delicate outlines of her face.

I also knew anything I had, the actual items of hers, had to be willed to just ONE PLACE and that was to FT WAYNE and the Historical society; Caroles clothes, furs, jewels I have and hats, that are here(They know too I have this painting, and are very interested indeed!)

Why did you get this portrait?

Because of her great inspiration, her “living every day to the fullest”, her sense of humor, her happiness, her kindness towards others, love of animals, it played a major part in me fighting these cancers; and its why, given also brittle diabetes for 35 years, I needed a PLAN.

Anyway, It being Carole in the picture, yes I wanted it, and looking at it, esp on my “down days” of the therapy, helped me get up again.

Where do you hang this beautiful masterpiece?

I knew after I got it, and also unfortunately the ONLY place it is SAFE and protected is in my bedroom on a wall near my marble top dresser.

There are no holes or worn places on the actual portrait, again the only place that could use some attention is the outer frame, yet I ‘d not take it to just anybody, and think I’ll leave that to the experts in Indiana.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Have been free of Cancer 5 years now, and so I HOPE I can continue to do some significant GOOD things for another year and make some people proud.Yes Its been a FIGHT, and I feel “inspired” to have had “help” getting through with Carole’s “inspiration” through that portrait.

Thank you so much Tally for sharing your love and Lombardilia with us. A gallant lady indeed.

So there you go. That’s all we know. How about you? Have any FYI’s to share? Probably lots of questions!