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559. Marlon Brando Document Signed. DS,
one page, 8.5 x 11, August 20, 1956. Letter from Twentieth Century-Fox Film to Marlon Brando affirming the cancellation and withdrawal of a request for him to report to studio on August 13, 1956 “to commence rendition of your services in connection with the second motion picture to be produced during the term of your Employment Agreement with us dated August 12, 1951.” Signed at the conclusion in blue ballpoint by Brando. In very good to fine condition, with creasing along the right edge, and a faint block of toning over the faded text at the top. Starting Bid $200
hardcover autograph album, 7.25 x 5, signed inside on a single page in fountain pen by Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., with the date of May 21, 1931, added in another hand. Additional signatories in the volume include Prime Minister David Lloyd George, Houdini’s manager Harry Day, illustrator J. F. Horrabin, and several Members of Parliament: Leslie Hore-Belisha, David Lewis Davies, James D. Cassels, Abraham Lyons, Reginald Purbrick, John Roland Robinson, and Adrian Moreing. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
561. Montgomery Clift Signed Photograph. Vintage
glossy 8 x 10 photo of Montgomery Clift with his arms folded as a young actor, signed in red fountain pen. In very good to fine condition, with scattered light creasing, pinholes to the top corners, and poor-to-moderate signature contrast against his dark jacket. Starting Bid $200 562. Judy Garland Signed Album. A Star Is Born album
signed on the back cover in blue ballpoint by Judy Garland. In very good to fine condition, with edge creasing and some delamination to the front cover, and a small rectangular stain to the back cover. The record is included. A delightful signed album related to Garland’s famous Oscar-nominated role. Starting Bid $200
563. Gone With the Wind: Vivien Leigh Signed Photograph.
Vintage matte-finish 3.5 x 5.5 photo of Vivien Leigh in her iconic role as Scarlett O’Hara in the 1939 classic Gone With the Wind, signed nicely in fountain pen. In fine condition, with lightly trimmed borders. Starting Bid $200
564. Audrey Hepburn Signed Photograph. Glossy 8
x 10 close-up photo of Hepburn as Ariane Chavasse for the 1957 film Love in the Afternoon, signed and inscribed in black felt tip, “To Gregory, thank you, Audrey Hepburn.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered creases, pen trouble forcing Audrey to go over the first few letters of the inscription, and a faint bluish discoloration to her neck and chest. The consignor notes that the autograph was obtained in New York City when she was staying at the Pierre Hotel for the filming of one of her last films, They All Laughed, in 1980. Starting Bid $200
565. Katharine Hepburn Signed Photograph. Vintage
glossy 8 x 10 full-length photo of Hepburn in a long black dress, nicely signed in fountain pen. In very good to fine condition, with an area of scuffing to the background. Starting Bid $200
566. Alfred Hitchcock Signed Original Self Portrait
Sketch. Original fountain pen self-portrait sketch by Alfred Hitchcock of his immediately recognizable profile on an offwhite 5 x 6 sheet, signed and inscribed, “To Mike, Alfred J. Hitchcock.” Matted and framed to an overall size of 10.5 x 11.5. In fine condition, with light overall toning. Starting Bid $200
Theatrical distribution contract for Rear Window signed by Hitchcock and Stewart
567. Alfred Hitchcock and James Stewart Document Signed for Rear Window. DS, signed “Alfred J. Hitchcock”
and “James Stewart,” two pages, 8.5 x 11, January 4, 1962. Agreement between Paramount Pictures, Alfred Hitchcock, James Stewart, and MCA Artists, regarding the distribution of Rear Window for theatrical exhibition for a period extending from October 1, 1962 to September 30, 1964, for a joint payment of $250,000. Signed at the conclusion in fountain pen by Hitchcock and in blue ballpoint by Stewart. In fine condition. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from JSA. Starting Bid $200
Houdini approves a SAM card for a founder of the Mystics Circle of Boston
568. Harry Houdini Signed SAM Membership Card. Sought-after
Society of American Magicians (SAM) membership card issued to Edwin Fay Rice for 1918, 4 x 2.5, boldly signed at the bottom in fountain pen by Harry Houdini as president, and countersigned by Oscar Schutte Teale as secretary. Mounted and framed with a photo of Houdini leaving a prison cell to an overall size of 11.5 x 18. In very good condition, with overall soiling, creasing to the upper right corner, and a small area of surface loss to the lower right edge; the accompanying photo is silvered and discolored, but could easily be replaced.
A journalist for the Boston Daily Times, Edwin Fay Rice (1849–1919) had a short but impactful career in the world of magic, and was a key figure in helping found the Mystics Circle of Boston as a member of SAM.
Oscar Schutte Teale was an American architect, magician, and writer (1847–1934) who served as the fourth President of SAM and who worked as Houdini’s private secretary and ghostwriter; when Houdini’s book A Magician Among the Spirits was published, Teale stated that he had written ‘the damnable work.’ Starting Bid $300
Rare handwritten and signed Bruce Lee check from an important early period, graded by PSA MINT 9
569. Bruce Lee Signed Check. Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute business check, 6 x 2.75, filled out and signed by Lee, “Bruce Lee,” payable to John Chorbajian for $135, October 19, 1964, with memo, “For rent Oct. 20th—Nov. 20th ‘64.” In fine condition. Encapsulated and graded by PSA/DNA as “MINT 9.” At the time he wrote this check, Bruce Lee was working on founding martial arts kwoons (clubs) in the Bay Area with his friend, martial artist James Yimm Lee. From August 1964 to February 1965, the newlywed Bruce and Linda Lee lived at the home of James Yimm and Katharine Lee at 3039 Monticello Ave—the address given on this check. During this pivotal period, Lee had a legendary fight with Wong Jack Man, which helped to define his martial arts philosophy; his son Brandon was born; and he had a screen test with 20th Century-Fox. Thus, this check comes from a major moment in the development of his martial arts, family life, and acting career. Starting Bid $1000
A Marx Brothers agreement for The Cocoanuts
570. Marx Brothers Document Signed for ‘The Cocoanuts’. DS,
signed “Leo Marx,” “Arthur Marx,” “Herbert Marx,” and “Julius H. Marx,” five pages, 9 x 11.25, September 23, 1927. Memorandum of agreement between Sam H. Harris Theatrical Enterprises and the Marx Brothers, with all opting to “extend the period of said agreement for the theatrical season for 1927–1928…and to continue for and during the life of the dramatico-musical composition entitled ‘The Cocoanuts’ during such theatrical season.” Signed at the conclusion in blue and black ink by the Marx Brothers of Chico, Harpo, Groucho, and Zeppo, each writing their given names, and countersigned by Sam Harris. Contained within its original blue folder. In fine condition, with creasing to the covers; interior pages are all fine. Starting Bid $200
McQueen approves a loan-out agreement for The Great Escape
571. Steve McQueen Document Signed for ‘The Great Escape’. DS, two pages, 8.5 x 11, August 24, 1962. An
amendment to a contract between Mirisch-Alpha and Condor Enterprises related to a ‘loanout agreement’ for “the services of Steve McQueen…as an actor in our motion picture photoplay now entitled, THE GREAT ESCAPE,” which clarifies that if the loan-out exceeds its duration that further compensation “shall be deferred and paid to you only out of the first net profits of the photoplay after James Garner has been paid his deferred compensation.” Signed at the conclusion in black ballpoint by McQueen. In fine condition. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from JSA. Starting Bid $200
Remarkably early ‘Motion Picture Industry’ questionnaire filled out and signed thrice by 10-year-old Elizabeth Taylor
572. Elizabeth Taylor Document Filled Out and Signed Thrice as a 10-Year-Old. Partly-printed DS filled out and
signed three times by 10-year-old Elizabeth Taylor, once as “Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor” and twice as “Elizabeth Taylor,” four pages, 8.5 x 11, December 9, 1942. A Motion Picture Industry employee questionnaire filled out in black ink entirely in the hand of the young actress, who adds her full given name at the start, her professional name on line four, and then adds her signature neatly to the conclusion. In very good to fine condition, with overall creasing, and a stain to the upper right corner of the first page. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from JSA. Starting Bid $200
