ZEPPO (HERBERT) MARX - DOCUMENT DOUBLE SIGNED 09/15/1953 - HFSID 2878

ZEPPO MARX
The Marx brother signs a document regarding membership at the Friar's Club of California in Hollywood
Document double signed: "Zeppo Marx" twice, 4p, 8½x11, front and verso. Hollywood, California, 1953 September 15. Membership application for The Friar's Club of California, Inc. Marx has signed on the first page, on which he has written the date, and on the third page, on which he has filled in the answers to several questions, including the "Trade name of firm" ("Marman Products"), his "Position in firm" ("President"), the address, type of business and how many years engaged in the business, his principal banking connection and a business reference ("Karl Shoe Co"). He has also written "Unknown" and two ditto marks in a column regarding his contributions to organized charities. Also signed: "Howard Rand" as Sponsor and by two Co-Sponsors on the first page. Marx's application was accepted later that month and his membership fee waived. The Friars Club of California, Inc. was founded in 1946 by Hollywood celebrities including Milton Berle, Jack Benny and George Burns. The Friars, which also have a New York branch, are perhaps best known for their celebrity roasts and fund-raising efforts. Herbert "Zeppo" Marx (1901-1979), the youngest of the Marx Brothers, joined the act after brother Gummo's departure. Zeppo, who played the straight man to his brothers, starred in romantic roles with Groucho, Chico and Harpo on Broadway and in their first five films: The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers and Duck Soup. He left the act in 1933 to pursue other business interests, including running a talent agency. Somewhat of a mechanical whiz, Zeppo invented a wristwatch that would monitor the pulse rate of cardiac patients, and his company, Marman Products, produced clamping devices that were used in the first atomic bomb raids over Japan in 1945. Lightly creased with folds, not at Marx's signature. Pencil notes (unknown hand) at upper left corner of first page, staple holes at upper left corners. Light 2½x1¼ stain in lower left corner of back cover. Overall, fine condition.