Description:

ROBERT CARPENTER
(1915-1990) Owner of the Phillies whose family oversaw the club from 1943-1981. Fine association T.L.S. 'Bob', 1p. 8vo., Philadelphia, May 18, 1957. On official Philadelphia National League Club letterhead to legendary actress Grace Kelly. In part: '...I want to thank you so much again for your time and gracious effort on making the charity event a huge success. Nothing but the best on your up an [sic] coming film...". Kelly was born in Philadelphia and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Moving to Hollywood, she earned acclaim for her performance in the 1953 film 'Mogambo', for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The next year, Kelly won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the drama, 'The Country Girl'. Having achieved stardom as an actress, the 26-year-old Kelly walked away from Hollywood to marry Rainier III, Prince of Monaco in 1956. Grace Kelly's father was John Kelly, a multimillionaire Philadelphian, avid sportsman, and Olympic Gold Medalist. He won gold in the single-scull and double-scull events at the 1920 Olympics, and the double-scull race at the 1924 Olympics. Kelly was also a baseball enthusiast, and he led a group that bid to buy the Phillies in the early 1940s. Of most importance for this narrative, John Kelly was a close friend of Bob Carpenter, which almost certainly factored into Grace's decision to return to the United States in 1957 and attend Carpenter's charity affair. Her presence ensured a huge turnout. Handsomely matted in black with a PBS publicity photograph of Kelly, and set into a 14" x 20" black frame. Very good condition, not examined out of frame.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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