Muray, Nicholas. FANIA MARINOFF VAN VECHTEN. Original photograph of the actress in costume. Inscribed and signed by Marinoff "For my Bejamey/Fania" in ink, upper left, and with Muray's blindstamp, lower right. 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches, 242 x 190 mm. In excellent condition. Fania Marinoff (American, born Russia, 1890-1971) had her first role as an actres at the age of 10, and went on to play lead and supporting parts as an actress and dancer, on stage and in film for the next 50 years. She was active in the Yiddish theater in New York, and With her husband Carl Van Vechten, was also a leading figure in promoting the Harlem Renaissance in New York. The Van Vechtens were good friends with Gertrude Steing and Alice Toklas. Fania maintained the freindship with Alice after Gertrude's death, and she and Carl provided needed financial support to Alice, who was left in straitened circustances in Paris after Gertrude died.
