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.
SO as a later posthumous GIFT to a great Lady, I will be sending her things, including the portrait “back Home”. SO many of these artifacts, people collect, and stuff in a closet and on a shelf, or in a drawer, and I think its important to remember the history that comes with each personal object that once belonged to this famous person or that one. Ultimately that’s my hope for everything that’s out there, that hopefully are being well taken care of, by the fans.
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!
8 Responses to To Rose, With Love: “The Ranch” Carole Lombard Portrait
Leave a Reply
WELCOME TO CAROLELOMBARD.ORG
Welcome to the online home of everything Carole Lombard. This website is created by Carla Valderrama, a cinema lover in her twenties who lives in Los Angeles. Come explore and contribute.Carole Lombard Photo Archives
Carole Lombard Events
Find out about Carole Lombard film screenings and events near you.NEW CAROLE LOMBARD BIOGRAPHY
Carole Lombard .org Awards
The portrait is beautiful…so is the story!
Tally: what an amazing story! I am glad you are doing well. Hang in there, girl. We are all rooting for you. Your idea to donate everything is cool. Now, of course, I am curious about the clothes, furs and jewels and how you obtained them.
Carla: I am so touched you dedicated this post to me! You are truly one lovely young lady. With love back at ya.
P.S. This explains the portrait of Kay that hung at the Palm Springs home. BTW, does anyone know if this was painted while Carole was living or after her death.
I guess we’ll have to do a PART 2 for you if Tally is willing.
As for the painting, I think it was done during her lifetime. Correct me if I am wrong Tally.
Part 2 would be nice! I hope Tally is willing. I’m all ears, er, eyes!
Please do a part 2! This information is priceless for us little people. Congratulations to you Tally. Keep on fighting. Like Rose said “we are all rooting for you”.
The picture was done during Carole’s lifetime. The seller’s information dates it to the late 1930s; which is on the COA information I have here.
I’d be glad to send you any pictures of what is here. There are aside from the portrait, dresses, gowns,slips, all handmade like the dresses, handbags, jewelry, blouses(One of which came in a sealed bag, when I oopened it, it reeked of cigarette smoke, which somebody identified as LUCKY STRIKE. It is a white islet dressing gown. Fascinating that her cigarette smoke was still there!), also some lovely hats. One particular hat you will immediately know, it is a black lambswool w/the original treble clef pin attached thats pictured with her wearing it in several photos, ANother item are the top 2 double strands of pearls pictured in a photo where she is “dripping” in pearls and looking very sultry!.(ALso another strand of pearls, accompanied by a photo of her wearing it.) another one is a black beaver full length fur coat from the PETERS family , I suppose its a nephews family, with paperwork. Included with it was a photo of Carole wearing it accompanying Clark to a formal occasion. There is a mink fur collared sweater w/ her initials “C L” embroidered on the inside lapel. Also a dress, brown velour dated late 1939 of Caroles. It came from ebay and the story goes she was razzing Clark one night over “You havent given me flowers lately Pa”, and he surprised her by drving back to MGM and having the prop dept make up a corsage of silk flowers and when he got home he attached it himself to the dress.Accompanied by this dress , was a COA, and a letter from KAY GABLE on her stationary describing the dress and the story behind it and how she “pinned the corsage to the dress so you wont lose it”, forthe woman who bought it in 1964 from another “Estate sale” at the ranch.
Those are just a few of the very interesting “stories behind” some of what is here. I’ve every piece of COA and authentication stored safely for when FT WAYNE gets them. (Some others date into the 20s, including a lovely beaded purse and a locket from the 1920s. I assume she carried each when she was first starting out in pictures). There are pieces from the estate of Helen Rose, the makeup artist, Gordon Bau, and others re items given by Carole to each, with letters signed by the recipient in question.
I have been collecting a long time, and on some occasions people ask, “Are you sure its authentic?” And I am happy to report each IS: the person signing the COA,the history, the source I received it from; including a pair of earringsI wore to my first checkup
following Cancer #1, the seller of some earrings Id purchased
was a niece of Carole’s hairdresser at PAramount. ANother woman in California sent me a few dresses and also a tuxedo of Fred Ataire’s, because she knew I was a legitimate archivist and I had told her of my plans for the Museum. She was a wardrobe assistant at PAramount and I have been the recipient of at least 1/2 doz articles including the tuxedo (because Id confessed I was a long time (42 yr) Fred devotee and that my son was named for him..).
She is 87 years old now, and I imagine wanted each item in the hands of somebody she trusted.Again, it is a RESPONSIBILITY a fan has to take seriously, and take care of these things because its history.
I have not taken the FAITH people have placed in me for granted re proper archiving of these wonderful pieces. NOTHING willbe lost and the destination of each is mentioned in my will even now. AGain given the current roller-coaster state of my health, its a Good IDea to have a PLAN. I am merely a “temporary pit stop” until their final destination.
Id be happy to send pictures and also include any I have of her wearing the items. I am always on the hunt and its exciting when you DO find a photo with Carole wearing this item or that.
I thank you guys too for the GOOD WISHES re keeping feeling better. I go one day at a time, and I figured this or that fails eventually,
so why give it more time than it deserves?
Thanks deeply..
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
Love, Tally
Thanks for the added information, Tally, regarding the items and your health. I am thankful you share your archives with Carla and us. Thank goodness someone had the foresight to save these treasures, whether they belonged to Carole or other greats of that era.
God bless you for your generosity in sharing your treasures with us! I agree with your philosophy; why have it if you can’t share it with those it means something to. You are very special and I wish you all the best!!!