Description:

Good lot of four relics from the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, the scene of one of the deadliest building fires in United States history. The lot includes: a b/w souvenir photo of a group dining at the club, mounted in a 8 1/2" x 6 1/2" paper folder advertising the club and its "Melody Lounge"; a matchbook advertising the club, illustrated with images of monkeys, dancers and performers on the card match holder and on the matches themselves; a tiny songbook in the shape of a violin advertising bourbon produced by the Bard's Town distillery, as well as advertising the club on the verso; and a wood and spring metal "clapper" advertising Vaudeville performers Gilda Gray and Joe Frisco, as well as the nightclub. Each piece bears the name and address of the club, 17 Piedmont Street, and all are in very good to fine condition. The souvenir photo and matchbook are especially evocative of the tragedy that would befall the nightclub: on November 28, 1942, a busboy in the downstairs Melody Lounge lit a match to help him screw in a lightbulb. It is believed that this ignited the paper palm fronds used to decorate the room. The fire quickly spread, resulting in the deaths of 492 people, many of whom were unable to escape though locked or hidden exits. It remains the deadliest nightclub fire in history and the second-deadliest building fire in U.S. history, and prompted numerous building safety and fire prevention regulations.

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February 19, 2019 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$1,000 $1,999 $100
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$5,000 $9,999 $500
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$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
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