Signed Broadside

WILLARD, Clarence E. (?-?)

About this Item

In the "Just Plain Weird" category, consider the man who from about 1925 on baffled the medical and scientific community with his ability to GROW. That's right, this famed sideshow performer appeared to grow inches taller on stage -- hence his nickname, "The Man Who Grows Before Your Eyes." Through the 1950s, Willard continued to amaze and confound, appearing on shows such as "The Ed Sullivan Show" (6 April 1958). What he signs here is as off-the-wall as what he did: a folded-down promotional broadside, single sheet (printed recto and verso), 27" X 18¼" (folds down to 9" X 6 3/4"), Grand Rapids, MI, n.y. [ca. 1934 or earlier]. Near fine. The front panel, which reads "The / Complete / Refrigerator / LEONARD / a name with more than a half / century of / REFRIGERATION BACKGROUND" in bold orange and black, bears his handsome large inscription in a blank area: "Clarence E. Willard / 'The Man Who Grows' / 1934." Unfolded, the broadside features numerous illustrations with captions front and back touting this product. Superb, clean condition with no edgewear whatsoever and no weakness along the original fold lines. Scarce and unusual -- as weird as it gets.

Seller Inventory # 14267

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Signed Broadside
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Odds & Ends
  • Autographs