I purchased this signed / autographed Jeannette MacDonald framed photo from the estate of a serious elderly film collector.  She had hundreds of signatures of Golden Age Film Stars which she obtained, usually in person.  This particular piece had a place of honor on the living room mantle.  Based on seeing all of those personalized autographs, as well as the period frame in which this item came, I am very comfortable that this signature is authentic.

Jeanette Anna MacDonald was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier and Nelson Eddy. During the 1930s and 1940s she starred in 29 feature films, four nominated for Best Picture Oscars, and recorded extensively, earning three gold records.  I have provided further biographical data at the end of this description, copied directly from Turner Classic Movies website.  

Photograph is 5" x 7", signed "Sincerely Jeannette MacDonald".  Period frame is silvered with reverse painted white art deco botanical motif.  Silvering on the glass reverse is deteriorating in a few spots, commiserate with age.  Pie crust edge is rough in spots (I can't tell if that is the way manufactured, or just chipped from moving around).  Frame outer dimensions are 7" x 9". 

Always happy to pass through discounts on combined shipping.  Please ask me for specific quote if you feel shipping cost is too high.  On certain large / heavy packages, I see EBAY's calculator grossly overcalculates actual shipping costs.  I find an item EBAY estimated at >$40 can be shipped for under $20 (not always, but I will verify!)    I only charge actual postage, and always use recycled packing materials.                   

Weight prior to packing is 1 pound 4 ounces.

Note some photos appear redundant because I take photos from all possible angles.  On symmetrical items, these photos may appear redundant when there are no distinguishing differences or condition issues between side views.

The item listed is being sold as is, as pictured and as described to the best of my knowledge.  If you have a question on an item prior to purchase, please ask. Remember, when buying vintage expect imperfections as these items have a history and have been in the possession of others. I try to list EVERY flaw which would be commented on something in an antique or vintage condition – this does not mean all imperfections resulting from normal wear & use require comment. My goal is to have no rude surprises upon receipt.

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A gifted, vivacious Broadway soprano, the red-haired Jeanette MacDonald entered films in 1929 under the auspices of Ernst Lubitsch at Paramount and showed a flair for sophisticated comedy in a number of his spicy Continental musicals, especially opposite Maurice Chevalier. In such films as "The Love Parade" (1929), "Oh, For a Man" (1930) and "One Hour With You" (1932), MacDonald was typically cast as girlish but aristocratic types who display a surprising aptitude for risque banter when the occasion demands. Her best film from this early period was Rouben Mamoulian's superb "Love Me Tonight" (1932), opposite Chevalier.

Moving to MGM in 1934, MacDonald reached a personal zenith in the title role of Lubitsch's saucy "The Merry Widow" (1934), but soon began playing more genteel if similarly princessy roles, in accordance with the stricter enforcement of Hollywood's self-imposed Production Code. She enjoyed considerable popular and critical acclaim with the delightful "Naughty Marietta" (1935), the first in a series of romantic operettas co-starring the handsome baritone Nelson Eddy. Mostly directed by W.S. Van Dyke, these films turned the couple into Hollywood's most popular singing team ever. Their best films together include the romantic valentine "Maytime" (1937) and the robust "Rose Marie" (1936), which featured the famous "Indian Love Call" so often parodied in later years. Later films, however, suffered from being overly schmaltzy or overproduced, and the team's popularity declined abruptly in the early 40s.

MacDonald also played in a number of enjoyable films sans Eddy while at MGM, including the lilting musical melodrama "The Firefly" (1937) with Allan Jones, and the memorable recreation of the Barbary Coast days of "San Francisco" (1936) just before the legendary 1906 earthquake. Famous for her powerful "high C," MacDonald turned to a successful concert hall career during the WWII years as her screen stardom waned but made occasional screen appearances through the late 40s. She married actor Gene Raymond in 1937 and the two later acted together onscreen in the third version of "Smilin' Through" in 1941. MacDonald's sister was character actress Marie Blake, who played the switchboard operator in the famous "Dr. Kildare" series of the 30s and 40s and later resurfaced under the name of Blossom Rock as the grandmother on the TV sitcom, "The Addams Family" (1964-66).