19TH/20TH CENTURY

Dr. Jules C. Stein (1896-1981), co-founded the Music Corporation of America (MCA) in 1924 and by 1937 had opened an office in Hollywood. Stein became a legendary agent to major stars of the time including Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman and Frank Sinatra. MCA went on to acquire Decca Records and Universal Pictures. Stein was a passionate collector of English furniture and counted such renowned collectors as Hearst among his friends. His Hollywood Hills home 'Misty Mountain' was decorated in considerable style and was the scene of much entertaining in Hollywood during the period. The present lot, with a plaque 'Universal Studios 57523854', is likely to have been used as a prop in a film.