 |  |  |  | 
338 x 450 | 1/2 | 1/4 size
Writing tablets sold to promote “Major Bowes and The Original Amateur Hour” on radio. Circa 1938. |
|
| |  | |
338 x 450 | 1/2 | 1/4 size
Large window poster promoting the appearance of Major Bowes’ Amateurs on stage in September, 1935. The sponsor was Chase & Sandborn coffee. It was on this tour that Frank Sinatra appeared with The Hoboken Four. |
|
| |  | |
338 x 450 | 1/2 | 1/4 size
Major Edward Bowes with his good friend Charlie Chaplin. This photograph was taken at Bowes’ apartment in New York City during the Christmas holidays in 1940. |
|
| |  | |
338 x 450 | 1/2 | 1/4 size
Just a few of the police and fire badges presented to Major Edward Bowes from the amateur hour archives. Bowes was made honorary mayor, fire chief, police chief, etc. by hundreds of cities from across the United States. |
|
| |  | |
338 x 450 | 1/2 | 1/4 size
(top) Envelope commemorating Major Bowes 61st birthday and postmarked on his birthday, June 14, 1936. (right) $6.00 postage stamp from St. Vincent island in the Caribbean saluting Major Bowes as a radio pioneer. (left) Front and back of official Chase & Sandborne coffee ballots used by radio listeners to write in to vote for their favorite performers on “The Original Amateur Hour.” |
|
| |  | |
338 x 450 | 1/2 | 1/4 size
Board game: Major Bowes Amateur Hour Game. Perhaps one of the first board games to be created for a broadcasting program. Came with dice, markers, cups and instructions. The object was to reach stardom without getting the “gong.” Circa 1935. |
|
| |  | |
338 x 450 | 1/2 | 1/4 size
The same night that the photograph of Bowes and Chaplin was taken, Major Bowes autographed this copy of Bowes’ book: “Verses I Like” with the inscription: “To the inimitable Charlie Chaplin, my friend of many years … Major Edward Bowes … Christmas, 1940.” |
|
 |  |  |  | 
450 x 300 | 1/2 | 1/4 size
Metal mantle clock sold as a premium and souvenier from “The Original Amateiur Hour.” It features Major Bowes holding the “gong” as well as a variety of amateur performers including a tuba player with a light bylb glowing in the horn of the tuba. |
|
| |  | |
338 x 450 | 1/2 | 1/4 size
Color magazine ad for DeSoto automobiles. Major Bowes had as a principal sponsor, Chrysler Motors who produced the DeSoto automobile. Circa 1938. |
|
|
|
| |  | |
338 x 450 | 1/2 | 1/4 size
The “gong” symbol was so famous as an association to “The Original Amateur Hour” that they even sold these sterling silver lapel pins, key chains and charm bracelets. |
|
