miscellaneous productions, Bob Hope WWII Era Pins

original film-crew items

A custom made case containing 12 pins given to Bob Hope during his service and travels during the 1940s sold at his 2008 Estate sale. The case was included in the Sept 1953 inventory and kept in his office in a shelving unit behind his desk. The ATW pin is from the American Theater Wing, the creators of the famed Hollywood Canteen as well as the TONY awards. Bob often perfromed at these venues. This pin predates the WWII issues, in that those had wings added. This one from his early 30s Broadway days. The patriotic name plate shows his true name as Lester (changed from his birth name Leslie) although he called himself Bob since 1928. The gold lion is the 1941 British Relief Fund pin; the Fight Infantile Paraylsis is also a 1941 issue before the name was changed to THE MARCH OF DIMES. Bob first became involved with it attending FDR's birthday in 1939. He later became Chairman for both FDR and Truman. The mechanical pencil, with Presidential seal, is most likely a gift from Ike, possibly during a golf match for Bob to keep score with. It does not have an eraser. The device is the Truman variation on the eagle (head facing away from the arrows) and is not like the normal White House gift pens that were the Parker barrel type. The V device is for Victory in the Pacific. The microphone pin has the letters RBA on the sides and front and should refer to Radio Broadcasters Of America.