Q4011

Black Heritage

Hattie McDaniel - Actress

Collins Cover Announcement 

Hattie McDaniel

This gifted performer was the first ever black entertainer to win an Academy Award. She won the Oscar in 1940 for being 1939's Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Gone with the Wind " In that monumental motion picture, she played opposite Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh as the outspoken and opinionated but lovable and loyal maid, Mammy. My individually hand painted cachet shows McDaniel and Gable in a scene from the film. As most collectors are aware, any First Day Cover having to do with this classic movie has the potential to become a prized cover, so I would highly recommend that you obtain this Collins cachet.

McDaniel was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1895. Her family moved to Colorado where she eventually decided that she wanted to be an entertainer. Hattie left high school after her sophomore season and traveled with a minstrel show started by her father. She wrote and sang her own songs, and in 1925, she began to perform on Denver radio station KOA.

In 1931 she made her way to Hollywood where she obtained small roles but supported herself by working as a cook or maid. In 1934 she got a big break landing a major role in "Judge Priest

" It was directed by John Ford and starred Will Rogers with whom she sang a duet and afterward became friends. Her next important role was that of Malena in "Alice Adams" opposite Katharine Hepburn. During this period, she became friends with many stars including Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, and Clark Gable. It was Gable who supported her getting her role in "Gone with the Wind "

I'm pleased to present this cover that honors an actress who, through her talents on the screen, helped to transition the country during the difficult period of overt racism and discrimination. Hattie McDaniel — Collins #Q4001 — $13.25.