PFAS194A  This is a vintage 3" x 2.5" WW2 rare hand signed photo for Koba & Kalee who were a historic 1940s tap dancing duo on "globes" (real names husband and wife Dickie & Mathie Pather) and who Kalee made history by being the first Indian performer summoned to the King & Queen at the British Royal Variety Performance in 1946.    This antique autograph was signed a year prior in wartime (the signatures dated 1945) and is excellent condition (undedicated too). Their act was completely unique as they would tap dance on spinning world "globes"

This is the story of Vishnu Pather, known by the stage names of Dickie Pather and Dickie Koba, from his wife, Maisie's perspective.

Dickie hailed from South Africa, born to an immigrant Indian family of jewellers and left the country in 1930 aged 17, knowing that a life of a jeweller was not for him. He joined a circus family in London. He had seen their posters in Durban, which inspired his journey. He learned trapeze, acrobatics and dance by performing with them, which was ironic since the laws and customs of South Africa had prevented him from watching them in Durban. He then moved on to an acrobatic group called the Seven Royal Hindustanis. Dickie was the smallest member of the troupe, his figure gracing the apex of their human pyramid. Eventually, he and Maisie formed Koba & Kalee, a tap-dancing duo, who danced on 'globes'

Their lives were full with a bumper itinerary of theatre commitments. They narrowly escaped Berlin at the start of WW2, and entertained troops during the war. When peace returned, they toured the globe, performing in Hollywood, hobnobbing with stars like Carey Grant, went round the world to a very quiet Australia before settling in the UK once again.