The present lot comes from the collection of Louis Alter, a famous American pianist, composer, and songwriter. Interested in music from a young age, he was playing piano for silent films by age 13. He went on to study at the New England Conservatory of Music, and later wrote hit songs for Broadway musicals. His first song to gain notoriety was "Hugs and Kisses", written in 1926. In 1941, Alter performed for the United States Air Force troops at various bases. He collaborated with many artists, and was a piano soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Listen here