MICHAEL O'SHEA - DOCUMENT DOUBLE SIGNED 07/26/1946 - HFSID 289305

MICHAEL O'SHEA
Consent form authorizing the Motion Picture Relief Fund to reproduce Michael O'Shea's signature and likeness for a series of stamps raising money for needy film industry veterans. The form is signed twice by O'Shea, once as an autograph sample and again to grant permission. A remarkable, perfectly verified example!
Document signed twice: "Michael O'Shea", 1 page, 8½x11. Los Angeles, California, 1946 July 26. Michael O'Shea 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. Irish-American actor Michael O'Shea (1906-1973), who appeared on the stage and in films, never quite became a star, although he did manage to marry one: Virginia Mayo, with whom he'd appeared in the 1943 film Jack London. O'Shea, who was married to Mayo from 1947 until his death in 1973, appeared with his wife in several stock presentations. Perhaps best known for playing Barbara Stanwyck's boyfriend in the 1943 film, Lady of Burlesque, O'Shea also starred in the 1955 TV sitcom, It's A Great Life, which although not an immediate hit, had a great second life in reruns.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. Normal mailing folds. Lightly toned. Otherwise, fine condition.