JIMMY "SCHNOZZOLA" DURANTE - DOCUMENT DOUBLE SIGNED 08/15/1946 - HFSID 289163

JIMMY DURANTE
Consent form authorizing the Motion Picture Relief Fund to reproduce Jimmy Durante's signature and likeness for a series of stamps raising money for needy film industry veterans. The form is signed twice by Durante, once as an autograph sample and again to grant permission. A remarkable, perfectly verified example!
Document signed twice: "Jimmy Durante" and "a pleasure/Jimmy Durante", 1 page, 8½x11. No place, 1946 August 15. Jimmy Durante grants to the Motion Picture Relief Fund, Inc., its successors and assigns, the exclusive right, until December 31, 1947 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. Jimmy Durante (1893-1980), known to family, friends and fans as "The Schnozzola", "Schnozzle" or simply "the Schnoz" because of his Cyrano-sized nose, began his career as a piano player on the Lower East Side of New York City. He and his partners, dancers Eddie Jackson and Lou Clayton, had become overnight sensations on vaudeville, and Durante later lent his talents to films, radio and television as well as being a popular performer in nightclubs and on stage. His act included telling jokes, playing the piano and singing in his raspy voice. Two of his most popular songs were "Inka Dinka Doo" and "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey?", and Durante was also well known for his trademark sign off line, "Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are." An active life member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, he often performed pro bono with the proceeds that would have been his pay, going to the Children's Fund. All he asked in the way of pay was that people, "Help Da Kids". 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. Staple holes at top left. Pencil note (unknown hand) affecting "a p"autograph sample. Otherwise, fine condition.