RICHARD GREENE - DOCUMENT SIGNED 06/26/1946 - HFSID 289198

RICHARD GREENE
Consent form authorizing the Motion Picture Relief Fund to reproduce Richard Greene's signature and likeness for a series of stamps raising money for needy film industry veterans. The form is signed by Greene to grant permission. A remarkable, perfectly verified example!
Document signed: "Richard Greene", 1 page, 8½x11. No place, 1946 June 26. Richard Greene 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. Dashing British leading man Richard Greene (1918-1985) starred in films from 1938, including Kentucky (1938), Don't Take it to Heart (1944), Forever Amber (1947) and Lorna Doone (1951). He played the title role in the long-running British TV series, The Adventures of Robin Hood, and in a feature film. 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. Staple holes at top left. Pencil notes (unknown hand). Otherwise, fine condition.