LIONEL BARRYMORE - CONTRACT SIGNED 06/28/1949 CO-SIGNED BY: CAMERON SHIPP, WILLIAM MORGAN SHUSTER - HFSID 174663

LIONEL BARRYMORE, CAMERON SHIPP and WILLIAM MORGAN SHUSTER
The author and his publicist sign a contract agreeing to give the publishing rights to, and provide, Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc. an autobiography by January 1, 1950
Contract Signed: "Lionel Barrymore", "Cameron Shipp", "W. Morgan Shuster". 6p (two 9½x14 sheets and one 8¼x11 sheet), front and verso. New York, 1949 June 28. The actor enters into an agreement with the William Morris Agency, Inc. and Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc. to write his autobiography. In part: "In consideration of the premises, the AUTHOR hereby grants and assigns to the PUBLISHERS a work, which is entitled AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY, or some similar title, and the rights of book publication thereof...The AUTHOR agrees to deliver to THE PUBLISHERS a copy of said work, complete and ready for the press, satisfactory to the PUBLISHERS, and subject to the approval of the PUBLISHERS as to its containing any obscene matter or any matter in violation of Clause 2 of this contract, together with all necessary drawings and other illustrative material, on or about January 1, 1950...It is further understood and agreed that the PUBLISHERS shall have the option of publishing the next book written by the said Cameron Shipp...It is further understood and agreed that, after the sale of three thousand five hundred (3,500) copies of the regular edition, the PUBLISHERS shall pay to the AUTHOR, or his legal representative, a royalty of twelve and one-half (12½) per cent of the catalogue (retail) price of all further copies of the regular edition...." Barrymore has initialed "L.B." above point 15, below point 24 and above point 25. Also signed: "Cameron Shipp" of the William Morris Agency, Inc. and "W. Morgan Shuster" as President of Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc. Shipp has initialed: "CS" above point 15, below point 24 and above point 25. Shuster has initialed: "W.M.S" to the left of point 19. Barrymore's autobiography, We Barrymores (by Lionel Barrymore as told to Cameron Shipp), was published in 1951. Barrymore, who loved art and music more than acting, also wrote a novel, Mr. Cantonwine: A Moral Tale (1953), numerous screenplays and over 100 unpublished musical pieces. In addition to assisting Barrymore with his autobiography, publicist CAMERON SHIPP also completed Mack Sennett's autobiography in 1954. LIONEL BARRYMORE (1878-1954), born Lionel Blythe, was the older brother of Ethel (1879-1959) and John (1882-1942) Barrymore. Abandoning his dreams for a career as an artist for acting, Lionel, who became a character actor rather than a leading man like his brother, won the 1930-1931 Academy Award for A Free Soul and was nominated for the 1928-1929 Academy Award for Best Director for Madame X. Despite openly professing a loathing for the acting profession, Barrymore appeared in a number of films, giving acclaimed performances in Peter Ibbetson (1917) and The Copperhead (1920), and winning great popularity as Dr. Gillespie in a number of popular "Dr. Kildare" films (1938-1947). His other film credits include Grand Hotel (1932), David Copperfield (1935), Captains Courageous (1937), It's A Wonderful Life (1946), Duel in the Sun (1946), Key Largo (1948) and Down to the Sea in Ships (1949). Barrymore was also known for his annual radio appearances as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. WILLIAM MORGAN SHUSTER (1877-1960) was an American-born lawyer, publisher, and civil servant. His most well-known appointment was that of treasurer-general of Persia, a role he filled during 1911, until he was expelled by the vice-regent of Persia. Shuster received his education from Columbia University and Law School, and served in Cuba and the Philippines as a customs collector for the government of the United States. Shuster entered the publishing market upon his return from Persia, eventually being appointed the President of Century Publishing. During his time as president, Shuster facilitated mergers between Century Publishing, Appleton Publishing, and Crofts Publishing, eventually forming what was known as Century-Appleton-Crofts Publishing. Lightly creased, slightly soiled, light stain at upper right blank margin of first page. Adhesive residue at lower margin of signature page and page 4. File holes at lower blank margin of first page, upper and lower blank margins of signature page and upper and middle portions of other pages. Otherwise, fine condition.