Based on the earliest dated personal correspondence
in the collection, Neil began writing to literary figures,
politicians, and noted celebrities who had written a book
as early as 1939. In later years, Neil expanded his autograph
collection to embrace all the performing arts, of which
he was so fond, and the authors, actors, and famous Americans
who captured his attention and were, in his mind, destined
for celebrity.
When it came to the theatre, symphony, opera,
and ballet, Neil left every show he attended with several
copies of the program, which he would then mail out to
the various featured performers for their autograph, along
with a personal letter filled with praise for their performance.
Often, the signed program would be returned with a personal
note thanking him for the kind words, and often making
reference to something in particular that was in his letter.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the value of the
collection was raised with the acquisition of more historic
autographs, most purchased through dealers such as B.
Altman & Co., Parke-Bernet, and Goodspeed. These include
signatures and letters from Enrico Caruso, Giuseppe Verdi,
Giacomo Puccini, Charles Dickens, Emile Zola, Camille
Saint-Saens, etc.
Neil admired accomplishment and coveted
the names of countless writers, composers, athletes and
performers in all arts disciplines. He was indiscriminant,
in both categories and who should be included. In the
end, legends live on side-by-side with names long since
passed their 15 minutes of fame. Through a signed photo,
signature, or thank you note, their existence, and by
association, his, remains immortalized.
The Neil Carter Collection is being managed
by his son and granddaughter, Maxine Carter-Lome, as a
labor of love. Our goal is to find new homes among fans
and collectors alike for these timeless reminders of personal
achievement, history, and our popular culture.
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