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Lot #1026
James Dean

The day before leaving to film East of Eden, Dean promises to pay back part of his $700 advance

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Description

The day before leaving to film East of Eden, Dean promises to pay back part of his $700 advance

DS, one page, 8 x 6, April 7, 1954. Promissory note between Dean and Warner Bros. In part: “On May 26, 1954, I, James Dean, promise to pay to the order of Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. One Hundred and 00/100 Dollars.” In fine condition, with a barely noticeable tack hole to the upper portion repaired with tape to the reverse (far from any text). Accompanied by an unsigned glossy photo of Dean in East of Eden.

When signing this document, Dean had just been chosen to play Cal Trask in Elia Kazan’s East of Eden—his first major role. On the very next day, April 8, Dean left New York and headed for Los Angeles to begin shooting. Warner Bros. issued Dean a $700 advance for the film, which he agreed to pay back $100 at a time on a weekly basis via a deduction from his paycheck. This agreement was also made on April 7, and Dean provided the studio with promissory notes dated for each week, of which this is one—as such, there are at most seven of these extant. An incredible document from a monumental occasion in film history. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Rare Manuscript, Document & Autograph
  • Dates: #410 - Ended June 19, 2013





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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