^Lot 1278 W. C. Fields

DS, five pages, 8.5 x 13, July 21, 1922. Agreement between Manager George White and W. C. Fields (artist). In part: “The Manager [George White] hires the Artist to render services as comedian in such role or roles commensurate with the standing and reputation of the Artist, and not in any minor or subordinate role in the play ‘George White’s Scandals…The term of employment shall be the run of the said play, during the theatrical season 1922–23, which said season is agreed to begin on or before the 28th day of August, 1922, and to end on the 1st day of June, 1923…” Fields is to be paid a weekly salary of $900 and “shall have the right to play in motion pictures, and to write and to produce sketches or plays or any composition designed for public or private presentation, so long as any of such work does not interfere with the due performance by said Artist of this agreement.” The fifteenth term states: “XV. This contract is conditional and tentative upon the present negotiations between the Artist and Mr. Lee Shubert for the Artist’s personal services for the coming theatrical season, not terminating in a binding agreement; otherwise to be in full force and effect.” Fields has crossed out this portion, initialing it “W.C.F.” Signed at the top of the last page, “W. C. Fields,” and also signed by White. Fields has also written on an outside panel of the folder, “add—shall not go on before 9’ o’clock.” Document is still contained in its original legal folder. Several horizontal folds, one directly above Fields’s signature, a paperclip to top of first page, and a uniform shade of toning to pages, otherwise fine condition. Fields is credited as one of the three writers of the ‘book’ of the play; the music was by none other than George Gershwin.