Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 88

The Manuscripts, Collectibles and Space Auction

Celebrity Documents and Letters

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 290		Sean Connery, Signed Contract, Terms for GOLDFINGER Billing (1930-) Academy Award winning actor. Document signed, one page, partially printed, accomplished in ink, 14 x 18½", n.p., 1964. A Billing Guaranty Agreement for a theatrical motion picture entitled "Untitled James Bond Project" between Filmcentre Overseas Corp. and Inforex Corporation, N.V., regarding the size and position of Connery's name in relation to the title and all printed material. This agreement is most likely for "Goldfinger", being the third James Bond film to star Sean Connery. Boldly signed on the right lower portion of the document. Across the left top margin someone has written, in pencil, "File Goldfinger." Excellent condition. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,620
Lot 291		Alfred Hitchcock Signed Contract, Peter Lorre Signed Contract and Photo. Alfred Hitchcock and Peter Lorre enjoyed a history of collaboration that began in the UK in 1934 with the original THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, Lorre's first English language film then in 1936 for SECRET AGENT. Skip 20 years and Lorre and Hitchcock worked together again in 1957 and 1960 in "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" on television. Offered here are three pieces, unrelated to each other but it was time to bring Hitchcock and Lorre back together. First a rare, 5 page, signed contract by Alfred Hitchcock dated December 7, 1965 for the publication rights of TORN CURTAIN which starred Julie Andrews and Paul Newman. Contract signed both by Alfred Hitchcock and an officer of MCA Inc. Next a signed contract by Peter Lorre and CBS Television for "Playhouse 90" dated February 25, 1957. Contract to co-star has been signed by Mr. Lorre and initialed on 3 addendums. Finally, a signed 8" x 10" photo of Lorre from the late 1950s or early 1960s boldly inscribed and signed in blue fountain pen. All three pieces in excellent condition and quite scarce. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $892
Lot 292		Groucho Marx Signed Original Caricature and CBS Contract Signed by Gummo. Groucho Marx remains one of the most beloved actors and personalities from the 1930s consistently being discovered by new generations of fans. Offered is an original caricature 8" x 11" likely illustrated by the individual Dennis who Groucho Marx has inscribed to and signed. Also included is a legal contract signed by Gummo Marx as agent and attorney for Groucho Marx to appear on the Jack Benny Show on CBS Television dated March 23, 1955. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $394
Lot 293		John Garfield, Rare Signed Contract & Signed Vintage Original Photo. John Garfield, one of Warner Brother Studio's major stars of the 1940s proved an inspiration to the method actors of the 1950s like Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift. Garfield starred in many classic films, studied and enjoyed today including The Postman Always Rings Twice, Gentleman's Agreement, Destination Tokyo, Tortilla Flat, Humoresque, Body and Soul and several more. Garfield's brooding performances and working man ethic made him immensely popular throughout. In the early 1950s, falsely dogged, accused and called to testify at the HUAC trials, a stress that seriously aggravated his heart condition Garfield died of a heart attack at only age 39. Over 12,000 mourners lined the streets in NYC for his funeral, the likes not seen since Rudolph Valentino. Offered here is an original signed contract dated April 6, 1950 for a radio broadcast of Dinner at Eight also signed by Rosalind Russell for the Actors' Company. Also included is a striking and utterly different image of Garfield, a vintage original 7¼" x 9¼" stamped on verso by the photographer Elmer Fryer for Warner Brothers, likely taken as a magazine publicity photo in 1946 for Humoresque, signed in white india ink by Garfield. Photo exhibits minor evidence of handling and tiny scratches but otherwise and exceptional portrait of the star. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $185
Lot 294		Natalie Wood Signed Contract and Photo. Natalie Wood one of the brightest stars in Hollywood started acting in film at age 5, and at 7 enjoyed the first of two memorable roles with MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET and THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR. She then continued a very successful trajectory in roles as a teen and young woman with such hits as REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, THE SEARCHERS, SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS, GYPSY, WEST SIDE STORY, LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER, THE GREAT RACE and many more. Offered here is a signed 23 page joint venture between her company Rona II (signed Natalie Wood) Timothy Hutton and screenwriter, Duffy Bart, for a film based on the novel "Country of the Heart" by Barbara Wersba that never went into production as Natalie Wood tragically died off Catalina only a very few months later. Contract is dated 1981 but as to which month is left blank. Also included is an 8" x 10" restrike photo of her with James Dean in REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE signed boldly against the white shirts of both their bodies, the photo a favorite of collectors. Both pieces in excellent condition. Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $185
Lot 295		Rare Contracts/Letters by Oscar Winning Greats Including Oscar Hammerstein, Cahn / Van Heusen and Dimitri Tiomkin. Three rare contracts/letters from music greats with career long involvement in film. First a contract for the rights to what ultimately became the winner of the Best Song Oscar in 1959 for the song "High Hopes" memorably sung by Frank Sinatra and featured in the comedy, A HOLE IN THE HEAD starring Sinatra, Edward G. Robinson and Eleanor Parker and directed by the great Frank Capra. Four page contract dated 12/23/58 is signed by composer Jimmy Van Heusen, lyricist Sammy Cahn and by director, Frank Capra, for Frank Capra Productions for the production and use of "High Hopes" in Capra's film. "High Hopes" factored in a year later with Sinatra re-recording the lyrics and was used for John F. Kennedy's Presidential Campaign. In excellent condition. Second a typed letter signed by Oscar Hammerstein to Eddie Cantor dated Feb. 2, 1949 requesting him to accept an honorary committee position to keep the works of Ira Gershwin alive with a concert at Carnegie Hall and is signed "Oscar" typed on personal stationery. Finally, a rare contract agreement by acclaimed Russian-American composer and conductor, know for some of the most memorable scores in motion pictures from the 1930s through the 1960's including IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, John Wayne's THE ALAMO, GUNS OF NAVARONE, DIAL M FOR MURDER, RIO BRAVO, THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA, literally too many to list. Here a 7 page original contract for his work to score William Wyler's classic, acclaimed film about pacifism and conflict within a Quaker family during the Civil War, FRIENDLY PERSUASION, which starred Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire. Tiomkin's work was nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Score and Best Song. In Tiomkin's career he was nominated for an Academy Award 14 times winning 4. Contract is signed by Tiomkin and by an executive with Allied Artists. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $197
Lot 296		2 Original Saturday Night Live Cast Members Gilda Radner, Rare Signed Document and Chevy Chase Signed Photo. Gilda Radner, one of the most talented and beloved comedians of the 1970s and 1980s, an original cast member of Saturday Night Live whose characters as Roseanna Roseannadanna and Baba Wawa are firmly seated in the annals of television history. She was recognized in 1978 with televisions greatest honor, The Emmy for her inspired comedy work. Radner went on to star in several film comedies, and met her second husband, Gene Wilder filming HANKY PANKY. Offered here is a rare signed document dated 1984 executed as President of The Gilda Radner Company, Inc. surrendering its right and authority to transact intrastate business in California. A year later Radner was diagnosed with ovarian cancer which she battled for four years, writing a book about her life and experiences in "It's Always Something" published four months prior to her death. Also included is a 1970s era, black and white 8" x 10" still of Chevy Chase very nicely inscribed and signed. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $120
Lot 297		9 Handwritten Letters by Hollywood Greats Including Katherine Hepburn, Olivia De Havilland, Barbara Stanwyck. Superb collection of letters from wonderful actresses past of Hollywood. First 2 notes with envelopes by Katherine Hepburn on personal stationary. These are indeed typed due to her difficulty in writing but her signatures are true, one dated 1992 the other 1993. The balance of the collection are all handwritten and they include a wonderful letter from Paris by Olivia De Havilland dated 1992, expressing condolences to a dear friend, two letters, with envelopes from Barbara Stanwyck to an aspiring actor in assisting him in being considered for a role both on personal stationary and signed in her very intimate/familiar name, "Missy", two notes on personalized stationary by Alice Faye to a close friend both of thanks and gratitude, and finally two letters with envelopes one a personalized note card by Lizabeth Scott, one an offer to dinner, the second a thank you for that swell dinner. All of these pieces are in excellent condition. Estimated Value $250 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $185
Lot 298		Gregory Peck: Collection of Two Letters with Interesting Content and Two Signed Portraits. Gregory Peck proved one of the great and most popular actors in the history of film. He was also a savvy activist especially as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Art & Sciences frequently looking out for the rights of actors for proper compensation. This is evident in the first typed letter signed and dated 1974 questioning an agent at William Morris whether it is right for a studio to be compensated by a network but not compensating the actors for the work. Further in a long, hand-written post script, he admits he signed onto the agreement but with serious misgivings then forcefully declaring the actors should be paid for their contributions. A second letter is almost humorous with Peck by way of a handwritten letter that included recent stills of himself for director Don Siegel to review because he was worried that it may have been some time since Siegel had seen Peck in a film (therefore older than the director may remember). Finally two signed 8" x 10" portraits from different decades. The first a still from THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM, a very striking portrait from the mid-1940s with a great signature signed in dark fountain pen but the photo does have three notebook binder holes along far left side white border, and with creases and some rippling. Nevertheless a commanding portrait of Peck. A second still from the late 1960s is in quite fine condition with a nice signature. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $148
Lot 299		4 Vintage Signed Contracts by Louis B. Mayer, Maureen O'Sullivan, Frederic March and Donald O'Connor. Collection of 4 signed contracts, certainly the best being a contract for the actress Anita Louise star of 60 films beginning in the silent era (1922) and continuing into the 1940s smoothly transitioning from silent to talkies. Here a three page contract dated September 5, 1930 from Tiffany Pictures agreeing to loan out Ms. Louise for the lead in THE GREAT MEADOW at $750 per week. What is interesting, is part of the terms of the contract is that she provide her own period costumes at her own expense, but that she gets to retain them after the shoot. Contract is signed by MGM's famous mogul, Louis B. Mayer and Phil Goldstein of Tiffany. Also in the collection is a signed contract by acclaimed actor Fredric March (Best Actor Winner for DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE and BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES) dated October 9, 1950 for THE NASH AIRFLYTE THEATRE a telecast sponsored by the Nash Motors Division of Nash-Kelvinator Company with terms that include that he "perform his services in a competent, painstaking and artistic manner to the best of your ability…attend all rehearsals and not deviate from the script." Signed in full by Mr. March and initialed 4 times in his hand. The final two contracts are both with CBS Televison, the first dated March 4, 1955, an agreement between CBS, Chrysler Corporation and celebrated actress, Maureen O'Sullivan for a show called CLIMAX with a rider affixed and initialed by O'Sullivan where she agrees to be third billed. The other dated October 10, 1957 is between CBS and Donald O'Connor for his services in a performance airing on Nov. 14, 1957 for PLAYHOUSE 90 involving various sponsors. All 4 contracts in excellent condition. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $148
Lot 300		Presley, Elvis: Screen Used Sweater from KING CREOLE, Exceptional Provenance. Elvis Presley (1935-1977) one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th Century beloved by millions to this day. Presley made 31 feature films during his lifetime and clearly one of his best was KING CREOLE. Directed by acclaimed director Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA, ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD and scores more classics) this was Presley's fourth film were he more than rose to the occasion co-starring with such actors as Walter Matthau, Carolyn Jones, Dean Jagger and Vic Morrow.This was Presley's last film before leaving for the Army made possible with a deferment of 60 days to complete the film. Clearly visible in the film, Presley wears the sweater in a scene with Carolyn Jones where they back out of a nightclub brandishing a broken bottle as a weapon. The sweater is a brown long sleeve button up with two small pockets and brown leather buttons. A Paramount label is sewn inside the collar with "#10216 E. Presley" written in black ink as well as three "Paramount Pictures Inc. Men's Wardrobe" stamps along the inside of waistline. In extremely fine condition. Presley gave this sweater as a gift to his personal hairdresser, Homer M. Gilleland, and is accompanied by a letter of provenance from Gilleland typed, signed and dated 9/6/90. Also enclosed are four screen grabs of Presley wearing the sweater. Estimated Value $9,000 - 12,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 301		Davis Bette: Screen Used Nightgown Worn In THE BRIDE CAME C.O.D. Starring Bette Davis and James Cagney, comes this lovely, screen used nightgown worn by Bette Davis (1908-1989) in this delightfu 1941 comedy that proved the only pairing of these screen legends. Nightgown is in excellent condition with Western Costume stamped inside, discreet repairs to the top of both lace straps where suspended on hanger, a minor pinhole in the triangle inset, the satin, champagne in color, with no repairs and only two minor smudges toward hem. In the film, nightgown clearly visible under Davis' peignoir in a winning scene. Provenance, Hollywood: A Collectors Ransom 8, Dec. 2000. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold