Description :

Mae West's Diamond Lil and Sextette Legacy Trio Set

This exquisite auction set includes three rare and original Playbill Inserts and Program and gala premiere artifacts chronicling Mae West’s theatrical and cinematic brilliance, each rooted in a historically specific production distinct from revival or touring versions.

The first Playbill Insert is from the Plymouth Theatre, featuring Mae West in her legendary role as Diamond Lil, presented by Lee and J.J. Shubert. The production was directed by Charles K. Freeman, with scenic design by William De Forest and Ben Edwards, and sumptuous period costuming by Paul du Pont. The full credited cast includes Charles G. Martin as Jim, Walter Petrie as Bill, James Courtney as Porter, Dan Matthews as Ragtime, Val Gould as Spik, Billy Van as Jerry, Nancy R. Pollock as Kitty, Sheila Trent as Sally, Sylvia Syms as Rita, Mike Keene as Pete the Duke, Jack Howard as Chick Clark, Louis Nussbaum and Frances Arons as Society figures. Each performer contributed to the vivid dramatization of the Bowery underworld that defined Mae West’s unique voice in American theater.

The second Playbill Insert spotlights a Warfield Theatre gala premiere program for Sextette, dated November 16, 1978—a definitive moment in West’s film career. The movie was directed by Ken Hughes and written by Herbert Baker, based on Mae West’s original play. Produced by Warner G. Toub under the Briggs and Sullivan banner and distributed by Crown International, the program lauds Mae West alongside a cast of cultural heavyweights including Timothy Dalton, George Hamilton, Ringo Starr, Tony Curtis (as special guest star), Alice Cooper, Dom DeLuise, and cameo appearances by Rona Barrett, Van McCoy, Keith Moon, Regis Philbin, Walter Pidgeon, George Raft, Gil Stratton, and Harry Weiss. Casting was handled by Marvin Paige. This premiere document frames West as a timeless auteur of glamour and subversion, in full control of her legacy as she closed her cinematic career.

The third Program Book captures Diamond Lil as staged by Albert H. Rosen and Herbert J. Freezer, again directed by Charles K. Freeman, with costuming by Paul du Pont. This iteration also presents a robust ensemble including Gus Jordan, Captain Cummings, Pete the Duke, Sally, Rita, Juarez, Chick Clark, Ragtime, Kane, Polly, Violet, Flynn, Maggie, alongside atmospheric players—Cyclists, Customers, Bowery characters, Policemen, and Society figures—that populated the Bowery Saloon and Lil’s bedroom across its three acts. This playbill reflects staging that defined early American melodrama through Mae West’s singular lens.

Each piece in this set represents an authentic historical document—professionally printed and distributed at the time of the original performance or premiere. These are not reproductions or revivals but genuine production-issued ephemera showcasing Mae West’s cultural impact through three distinct moments in her theatrical and cinematic journey. Ideal for collectors, historians, and curators of American theater and film, this set offers not only an archive but a tribute to the audacity, humor, and brilliance of Mae West.

Measurements:

Plymouth Theatre Playbill Insert:

Length: 11 Inches;

Width: 8 1/2 Inches;

Sextette Playbill Insert:

Length: 14 Inches;

Width: 8 Inches;

Diamond Lil Program:

Length: 9 Inches;

Width: 6 Inches;

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