Inscribed Photograph Signed by WADE-SMITH, Catherine (?-?)

Popular American violinist of the 1920 and the 1925 Naumburg award winner. IPS, 8" X 10", n.p., n.y. [dated 1927 on verso in another hand]. Near fine. A superb, dramatic, dark sepia-tone head-and-shoulders portrait (G. Maillard Kesslere). A stunning portrait by the great Broadway portrait photographer (1894-1979), showing a young Wade-Smith in a simple dark dress with left hand clutching the neck of her violin, gazing strangely off to the viewer's left. At lower right, mostly in a light portion, she boldly inscribes and signs in black fountain pen: "To John Leiser / with best wishes / Catherine Wade-Smith." Several letters are on darker areas, but overall the contrast is quite good. Leiser was a Chicago musician who founded a music school. An uncommon autograph accomplished at the height of her fame on a smashing portrait.