Any photo, magazine article, or movie poster featuring Sally Rand certainly qualifies as a "collectible."  Many such images are found on the main Sally Rand page.  Here, we take a look at some items which were specifically produced as collectibles, as well as some miscellaneous items that didn't fit elsewhere.

The only figurines I have seen so far are those that relate to Miss Rand's appearance at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago.  This really nice little "bust" stands close to 5 inches high and has a little ribbon on it with the words "Century of Progress Chicago 1933."  It sold for $80 in February 1998 to a collector in Florida who is very pleased with himself for having found it.

There is also a 12-inch-tall "chalkware" Sally which comes in two varieties -- one with a red base and feathers, the other with a blue base and feathers.

This statuette has the words "Fan Dancer" on the front of the base and a 1934 copyright on the back.  These great figures were offered as prizes in association with a punch card.

The punch card proclaims "Take Home A Fan Dancer!"  Fair goers could take a chance for a mere 10 cents -- brother can you spare a dime.  For those who were flush, despite the depression, the whole card could be bought for $4, the buyer assuring that he would be taking Sally home.  Nowadays, you may expect to pay something like $150-$200 for one of them.  You are one click away from a better look at the top of this card.

Items autographed by Sally Rand are relatively easy to find.  "Relatively," that is.  This is because she made it a practice to freely offer her autograph as part of her public appearances.  I have identified several different cards, each of which have a similar format.  Typically, the front of the card has a picture of Miss Rand and the reverse has a printed message, advertising the venue at which she is appearing and words to the effect that "Miss Rand will gladly autograph this photograph for you during intermission."

An example, from the Florentine Gardens in Hollywood, California ("Sophisticated Entertainment for Sophisticated People") is shown here.  This is the most explicit of the several I have seen, with Sally holding her arms above her head.  Incidentally, I realize this is a family web site, but since this image is presented in the context of innocent academic scholarship, I shall present it in its uncensored form as long as there are no complaints.  This autographed card sold for $41 in April 1998.

Another example of an autographed card, this one featuring the famous Sally-with-the-Bubble image is only a click away.

During her time on the carnival circuit, Miss Rand appeared in Carl J. Sedlmayr's "Royal American Shows."

This 10-page program contains many photos, mostly of the other girls in Sally's "star studded revue."  This copy, with an autograph on the cover, sold for $50 in February 1998.

A portion of the wildly overblown text inside is quite charming:

A name with which to conjure!  One of the most discussed personalities of the day!  The girl who fanned a breeze into a tornado and made four worlds's fairs famous!  ...dancer ... lecturer ... poet ... barefoot girl from the Ozarks whose dance interpretations have fascinated, charmed, hypnotized and bemused the sophisticates of two continents ...

At some point, after 1939, Miss Rand had some special Christmas cards prepared.  Hard to see in this reduced image, but she has one foot near symbols of the New York World's Fair and the other at the Golden Gate Bridge.  The printed greeting reads: "Merry Xmas I Always Say."

One further item that was probably inspired by Miss Rand is the so-called Fan Dancer Lamp, an oddly painted version of which sold at auction in 1998.

I am often asked "Where can I buy an autographed picture of Miss Rand?" or some other rare collectible.  The answer is -- the eBay auctions!  Click the eBay icon and become a registered member today.  Yes, it's free to use and there are always several Sally Rand items up for bid.

Go back to the Sally Rand page.