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Versatile Native American athlete (1887–1953), widely regarded as the finest all-around athlete of the twentieth century, who won two Olympic gold medals and excelled in football, baseball, and basketball. His Olympic medals were stripped from him for an ostensible violation of the amateur-status rule (Thorpe had earlier played minor-league baseball) but were posthumously restored to him in 1983. DS, signed “James Thorpe,” one page, 9 x 14, November 6, 1931. Agreement between Jim Thorpe and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for the motion picture rights to his autobiography. In part: "Whereas, the Owner is the sole author of and has sole and unencumbered ownership of all motion picture rights in certain unpublished, literary and/or dramatic writings and material, known as 'The Red Son of Carlisle,' also known as 'Jim Thorpe's Life History,' written by Russell J. Birdwell and James Thorpe, (who is also sometimes referred to herein as the 'Author')…The Purchaser has paid as full consideration for the rights, title and warranties herein granted and made, the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to the Owner and Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to J. G. Mayer, Ltd… The Purchaser agrees to state upon the film itself of any motion picture made by it and based on the Property, and with exposure long enough to be read, that such motion picture is based upon a literary or dramatic composition written by Russell J. Birdwell, with James Thorpe collaborating, or other words to that effect." Signed at the conclusion in fountain pen by Jim Thorpe, Russell J. Birdwell, and Louis B. Mayer, with a notarized slip affixed below. In fine condition. Although MGM ultimately did not produce a movie based on Thorpe's life story, Warner Bros. would make Jim Thorpe – All-American in 1951, starring Burt Lancaster in the title role.
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