USA: Legal documents from Hollywood's golden age to go under the hammer in New York

An auction containing hundreds of contracts and other documents from Hollywood's golden era will be auctioned off on January 25 in New York. Highlights from the sale include Humphrey Bogart's first studio contract and an interoffice document stating Norma Jeane Doughterty legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe. More then 200 contracts and other memoranda from Hollywood's golden era will be auctioned off on January 25 at Swann Galleries in New York. Some of the highlights include Humphrey Bogart's first ever studio contract and an interoffice document stating Norma Jeane Doughterty legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe. The documents are from Twentieth Century Fox archives. Other pieces in the auction include the terms for Marilyn Monroe's appearance on the Lux Radio Theatre program - her radio debut - on February 19, 1947. It is expected to fetch $6,000 to $8,000 (USD). Humphrey Bogart's first studio contract was a one-year agreement and covered his film debut in "Up The River", March 12, 1930. Auctioneers estimate its value at $4,000 to $6,000 (USD). Nicholas Lowry, the president and principal auctioneer at Swann Galleries, said the documents represent some of the best memorabilia of the most famous names in film history. "In the world of Hollywood collectibles, there are a lot of fakes or a lot of reproductions. All of these signatures because they are legal documents which had to be signed by the actor in the presence of a notary, these carry the absolute gold standard of provenance. Their legitimacy is indisputable, it's absolutely the most exciting thing for a collector because there's no doubt in anybody's mind that every single one of these pieces was signed by the star whose name appears on the bottom. It's wonderful." Natalie Wood's first contract, signed by the nine-year old by her given name Natasha Gurdin, is to go under the hammer for an estimated $400 to $600 (USD). With documents regarding the legendary Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Will Rogers, Fred Astaire, and Cary Grant, amongst others, Lowry said it was difficult to choose his favorite. "Ti's like trying to decide who your favorite children are. There are so many great pieces in the sale. Things that pop out in my mind are the interoffice memo (memorandum) at Twentieth Century Fox legal department saying Norma Jeanie Doughty had just changed her name, just legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe. This is actually the birth announcement of an icon. And theta's a fantastic, fantastic item," he said. Swan Galleries estimated the pieces to fetch a total of $200 thousand (US) although Lowly said that didn't take into account fan hysteria, which could push market prices higher. Proceeds from the sale will go to benefit the Motion Picture and Television Fund, a charity that provides health care and social services to members of the entertainment industry. The autographs will be on public exhibition in New York from January 20 until the auction on January 25. The pieces can be previewed on the website: www.swanngalleries.com.

ITN Source | January 19, 2007

Tags:. .although. .absolutely. .higher. .item. .icon