2AQU 1922 Newark, New Jersey

QSL from January 21st, 1922 belonging to 2AQU who was Sydney Irving Rusinow. Sydney was born in 1907 and became a famous Bridge (card) player. He is credited with devising the "Rusinow Lead". The Rusinow Lead is a bridge convention used as part of defensive carding. Rusinow leads are commonly used only on the opening lead against a suit contract; nevertheless, some experts use Rusinow leads only against notrump. They were devised by Sydney Rusinow and used by him, Philip Abramsohn and Simon Rossant in the 1930s, but were banned until 1964 by the American Contract Bridge League. Sydney won the Vanderbilt Cup in 1933 with his team mates Phil Abramsohn, Benjamin Feuer & Francis Rendon.
Sydney also placed as a runner-up for the Von Zedwitz Gold Cup in 1934 with his partner Walter Malowan.
In 1936 Sydney journeyed out west to set up bridge clubs for people in the motion picture industry. Sometime after arriving in California he met Evelyn Viola Richard. Viola starred in six Laurel and Hardy silent films. She was also featured most notably in the 1928 Charley Chase silent film "Limousine Love".Viola had bought into a cosmetics company that became known as the Viola Richard Corporation, which Sydney managed in 1939. The couple lived on Londonderry View Drive in Los Angeles just two-doors down from Ronald Reagan and his first wife Jane Wyman.
Sydney & Viola were married on May 4th, 1942 in Las Vegas. 
In 1951 the couple, who were no longer living in California (possibly Florida) had a fire at their house.
Sydney died in the fire as he was unable to escape due to his confinement to a wheelchair.
Very tragic story for sure!

Viola Richards

N2BTD Collection