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A magazine that became a memorial

It's near the end of 1941, not long after the attack on Pearl Harbor plunged the U.S. into World War II, The Rexall drug store chain issues its complimentary monthly magazine for January 1942, and the editors decide to put Carole Lombard on the cover:



Lombard, the cover notes, "is soon to be seen in the Alexander Korda picture 'To Be Or Not To Be,' released through United Artists." (Korda was the film's producer.) Anyway, Carole headlined a one-page spread inside showing winter sports clothing; other actresses included Ann Rutherford, Olivia DeHavilland, Anne Gwynne, Mary Martin and Paulette Goddard. There was also a story about the American Red Cross and how it would aid the wartime effort, as well as beauty tips and recipes.

Of course, on Jan. 16, Lombard left us, and if any copies of this magazine were left at Rexall pharmacies, they became de facto memorials to her.

It's an interesting artifact from the last weeks of Carole's life, in very good condition, and it's being auctioned at eBay. You don't have much time -- bidding closes at just after 8:20 p.m. (Eastern) tonight -- but as of this writing no one has bid on it, and bidding starts at a reasonable $4. If interested, go to http://cgi.ebay.com/1942-The-Rexall-Magazine-Carole-Lombard-on-Cover-WW-II_W0QQitemZ380160934420QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMagazines?hash=item58835b8214&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14