GENE RAYMOND - DOCUMENT DOUBLE SIGNED 07/26/1946 - HFSID 288801

GENE RAYMOND
Consent form authorizing the Motion Picture Relief Fund to reproduce Raymond's signature and likeness for a series of stamps raising money for needy film industry veterans. He has signed twice, once as an autograph sample and again to grant permission. A remarkable, perfectly verified example!
Document signed twice: "Gene Raymond", 1 page, 8½x11. Hollywood, California, 1946 July 26. Raymond grants to the Motion Picture Relief Fund, Inc., its successors and assigns, the exclusive right to use her name, autograph, photographic likeness, or artist's sketch of the likeness, for reproduction on engraved, embossed or printed stamps, and in stamp albums, and in connection with the advertising and exploitation of these stamps and stamp albums for sale throughout the world. He signs for a period of two years, and on the condition that Helen Ferguson must approve copy, photos and layout. Gene Raymond (1908-1998) first appeared on stage at age 5, and on Broadway at age 12. Some of his best screen assignments include the anguished death row inmate in If I Had a Million (1932), the renegade groundskeeper in Zoo in Budapest (1933), the guy who won Dolores Del Rio in Flying Down to Rio (1933), the stuffy "other man" in Hitchcock's Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941) and a glad-handing politico in The Best Man (1964). In 1948, Raymond produced, directed, co-wrote and starred in Million Dollar Weekend. A B-17 bomber pilot over Germany in World War II, he remained in the active reserves until 1968, long enough to fly airlifts in Vietnam, retire as a Colonel and win many decorations, including the Legion of Merit. He was married to actress Jeanette MacDonald from 1937 until her death in 1965. Helen Ferguson was MacDonald's close friend and publicity advisor. The Motion Picture Relief Fund was founded in 1921 to assist ill and needy film industry veterans, as expressed in its motto: "We take care of our own." The fund raised money through voluntary payroll deductions and celebrity events. As President of the Fund from 1939 until his death in 1956, film and radio star Jean Hersholt conceived Hollywood Star Stamps as a fundraising method. These stamps, 468 in all, were sold at dime stores after World War II in sheets of 6-12, at 10 cents per sheet, and were an immediate hit with collectors. Now called the Motion Picture and Television Fund, the non-profit organization funds its own hospital and retirement home. It confers the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award annually at the Academy Awards ceremony to "an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry." Three filing holes at left (worn). Staple holes at top left. Normal mailing folds. Edges lightly toned. Pencil marks (unknown hand). Otherwise, fine condition.