JAMES CRAIG - DOCUMENT DOUBLE SIGNED 10/31/1946 - HFSID 288989

JAMES CRAIG
Consent form authorizing the Motion Picture Relief Fund to reproduce Craig's signature and likeness for a series of stamps raising money for needy film industry veterans). he has signed twice, once as an autograph example and also to give consent. Also signed by a studio representative. A perfectly verified example of a rare signature!
Document signed twice: "James Craig", 1 page, 8½x11. Hollywood, California, 1946 October 31. Craig grants to the Motion Picture Relief Fund, Inc., its successors and assigns, the exclusive right to use his 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. Craig signs with the understanding that he will accrue no financial benefit or obligation. Also signed by a representative of Loew's Inc., on the condition that the transaction also comply with the terms of a parallel agreement between Loew's and MPRF. James Craig (1912-1985), born James Meador, appeared in B movies from 1937 (Thunder Trail) through 1976 (Doomsday Machine). After a strong performance in The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941), he appeared in some prominent films, including Kitty Foyle, Kismet and The Heavenly Body. He was seen frequently in TV guest appearances in the 1950s and 1960s, especially Westerns (Broken Arrow, Death Valley Days and The Virginian, among others. In Gore Vidal's novel Myra Breckinridge, the title character cites Craig repeatedly as his/her favorite film star. While his film career was only moderately successful, Craig made a fortune in real estate. 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." Filing holes at left edge. Staple holes at top edge. Unknown stain at top left edge. Otherwise, fine condition.