PFAS72a  A rare opportunity to secure this vintage early 5.5" x 3" hand signed souvenir of Albert Sandler whose fame was largely due to his BBC broadcasts, taken from an antique autograph book where his autograph rests perfectly accompanying his picture in very good condition & with great character (see scan). (also has autograph from another BBC musician on reverse as a bonus extra who I cant identify - please see image 2)

Sandler spent more than two years studying at the Guildhall School of Music before climbing the ladder in a series of engagements around England. He was first hired by the food conglomerate of Sir Joseph Lyons, whose company operated multiple fashionable locations about London including the Maison Lyons and the Lyons Corner Houses. Sandler drew sufficient attention in these locations to merit promotion to orchestra leader at Lyons most prestigious restaurant, the Trocadero. He remained there until Arthur Beckwith vacated the musical directorship of the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne. Management of the Grand Hotel opted to hire Sandler away from Lyons as their musical director following an introduction from Dutch violinist David de Groot, at that time himself a popular restaurant band leader and leader of the Picadilly Orchestra. This gig Sandlers first as bandleader in a landmark establishment boosted his profile dramatically, thanks especially to regular BBC Radio broadcasts of his concerts there. Indeed, Sandler later admitted no doubt that had there been no wireless, few people would have been aware of the existence of Albert Sandler.