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1964 results

Wed 14 Aug

Greta Garbo Document Signed to IRS DS, one page, 8 x 10.5, May 28, 1946. Treasury Department document headed "Consent Fixing Period of Limitation Upon Assessment of Income and Profits Tax," in part: "In pursuance of the provisions of existing Internal Revenue Laws, Greta Garbo, a taxpayer...of Los Angeles, California, and the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue hereby consent and agree as follows: That the amount of any income, excess-profits, or war-profits taxes due under any return (or returns) made by or on behalf of the above-named taxpayer (or taxpayers) for the taxable year ended December 31, 1941...may be assessed at any time on or before June 30, 1947." Signed at the conclusion in fountain pen by Greta Garbo, and countersigned by Commissioner of Internal Revenue Joseph Nunan, Jr. Includes a 17-page Treasury Department report submitted to Greta Garbo on August 8, 1946, finding a variety of deficiencies in her tax liability calculations, finding that the "taxpayer has been unable to submit records in support of the deductions for wardrobe and travel expense," among other issues. Further includes a five-page carbon copy of a protest submitted to the IRS, explaining that the "taxpayer has for many years been actively engaged in motion pictures, and during such time, has enjoyed a reputation as one of the leading screen stars. As such, taxpayer has been obliged to sustain, at all times and during the taxable years herein involved, the position and prestige appertaining to one who is professionally prominent with the press and public. Consequently, taxpayer has always maintained...a substantial wardrobe for the purpose of whatever public appearances, press interviews and business conferences incidental to her professional career." In overall fine condition.

Estim. 600 - 800 USD

Wed 14 Aug

Elizabeth Taylor (3) Autograph Letters Signed to National Velvet Director Clarence Brown: "I know I'm not a star" Three ALSs by the adolescent Elizabeth Taylor to National Velvet director Clarence Brown, all signed "Elizabeth," circa 1944-1945. The remarkable letters outline the charming relationship between the actress and the director of her first starring role, beginning with a letter of apology for some youthful indiscretions on the set of National Velvet, followed by a grateful letter for his skillful work on the film, and concluding with a gleeful postcard from a Wisconsin fishing trip. Includes: ALS in pencil, signed "Sincerely, Elizabeth," four pages on a 5 x 4 folding personal stationery card, no date but circa 1944, during the production of National Velvet. In full (spelling and grammar retained): "I'm sorry I said what I did, this morning, that I didn't like my green & yello dress, I know now, that I shouldn't say whether I like anything or not. I'm sorry too, that I spoke to you while you were talking to Miss Revere. Mommy has told me it was wrong. I only did it, because I was in a hurry to talk to you before the hairdresser got me. I though you'd understand, but I promise I'll never do it again. I know I'm not a star Mr. Brown, it was just our joke when Mr. Boil put the star on my dressingroom, but I tore it up to-day and I don't want the red carpit anymore, please, don't think, I think I'm a star the way you said it this morning, makes me never want to be one...P.S. Please excuse the pencil & the way I've jumbled up the pages, but I'm in bed and I couldn't go to sleep until I wrote this." ALS signed twice, "Love, Elizabeth," three pages on a 5 x 4 folding personal stationery card, December 6, 1944. In full: "You know when we were up in Monterey, we bought this blue cashmere sweater for you for an end of the picture preasent, but somehow the picture just never seemed to finish properly, and we never said good-by. But I kept the sweater for you—and now I'de like to give it to you for a thank-you preasent for making me good in 'Velvet' and making 'National Velvet' such a wonderful picture. When everybody keeps telling me how good I am in Velvet I know it is because you made me that way, because you are such a wonderful director. And I appreciate everything you have done for me and 'Velvet'...P.S. I like the way you keep doing it over until we get it right, until it feels just right. Oh thank you thank you Mr. Brown for everything." In closing, Taylor sketches two horses at the bottom of the page. ALS signed "Love, Elizabeth Taylor," one page on a 5.5 x 3.5 postcard depicting a scenic drive near Minocqua, Wisconsin, postmarked August 13, 1945. In full: "It is so beautiful up here in Wisconsin and we're having the most wonderful vacation. We're catching more fish, and I'm catching great big ones. Wait untill I tell you about them." In overall fine condition. Accompanied by an ALS by her mother, signed "Sarah Taylor," three pages, 6.25 x 9.5, personal letterhead, December 6, 1944, also to Clarence Brown. In part: "I must tell you how grateful we are to you...For weeks we have been hearing the most wonderful reports of 'National Velvet.' Everyone agrees it is the best picture they have ever seen—on any screen—any year, etc. Naturally we are happy about it. There is only one thing to mar the thrill & happiness of it all—and you know what that is. Oh, please Mr. Brown, if you could only forgive us—if we could only feel in our hearts that you are our friends—You don't know how unhappy Elizabeth & I have been about it all...We were so 'on the spot' from every direction...and we thought we were doing the right thing...I don't know how true it is but we have heard from several sources that the studio is trying to get 'Peter Pan' for Elizabeth (in Technicolor). If they do we would so like to have you do it. That's all we can think of. Would you do it Mr. Brown? We can hardly wait to see 'National Velvet'—and we hope that in the joy & happiness you feel over the great triumph of your picture you will find it in your heart to forgive us—so that we may feel happy too."

Estim. 800 - 1 000 USD

Wed 14 Aug

John Huston (2) Documents Signed for A Farewell to Arms DS, eleven pages, 8.5 x 11, December 20, 1956. Agreement between John Huston and The Selznick Company for employment "as a director, in directing and...otherwise assisting in the production and creation of our motion picture entitled 'A Farewell to Arms,'" for the sum of $250,000. Signed at the conclusion in ink by John Huston, and countersigned by a Selznick representative. Includes a second DS, three pages, April 16, 1957, in which they mutually agree to terminate the contract, also signed at the conclusion in ink by Huston, as well as a carbon copy of a legal letter pertaining to the employment agreement and the payment of Huston's expenses. All are stapled together into a brown paper folder. In fine condition. For many years, David O. Selznick had wanted to film an adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's novel A Farewell to Arms, but Warner Bros. owned the property and refused to sell it to him. He found himself in an advantageous bargaining position when Warner Bros. bought the remake rights to A Star is Born, to which he owned the foreign rights. Without them, the studio could not release their intended remake with Judy Garland overseas. Selznick offered to relinquish his rights to Star in exchange for the rights to Farewell, and Warner Bros. agreed. It was to be Selznick's first film in four years. On October 25, 1956, Selznick contacted director John Huston and enthusiastically welcomed him to the project. He advised him his contract with 20th Century Fox called for severe financial penalties if the film went over schedule and/or budget, and urged him to concentrate wholly on the film until principal filming was completed. Selznick's concerns increased as Huston began to tinker with the script and spend an inordinate amount of time on pre-production preparations, and on March 19, 1957, he sent the director a lengthy memo outlining the problems he foresaw arising from Huston's lack of cooperation. Two days later, Huston announced he could not agree with Selznick on any of the issues he had raised and quit the project.

Estim. 400 - 600 USD

Wed 14 Aug

Grace Kelly Autograph Letter Signed on Vacation, Family, and Her Miscarriage ALS signed “Grace,” two pages both sides, 8 x 10.5, Palais de Monaco letterhead, September 22, 1967. Handwritten letter to her friend, Mrs. Arthur (Trudy) H. Kudner, in part: "I wanted to get this off to you in time to wish your baby Happy Birthday but we just came back after a few days on a boat & things are in confusion. We have a new governess for the children and it is a difficult change for Stephanie. The nanny (a wonderful Swiss girl) left to be married and she had been with her literally from the moment of birth (she held my hand during the delivery). Our trip this summer sounds like a bad soap opera. We went through three weeks with one crisis after another. Caroline started off the trip with tonsilitis followed by a mouth infection. Then Albert woke up on the Empress of Canada that we boarded in England with measles. Then in Montreal I lost the baby & the two girls caught the measles. It was really unbelievable. Rainier cancelled the rest of our trip in Canada & Alaska. I took the two measle girls to Ocean City where we spent ten days resting & seeing family. Then we flew to San Francisco to join Rainier & Albert. Then two weeks in Beverly Hills in a heat wave. I was really very fortunate to be in a big city at the time of my miscarriage but it is such a depressing experience and this was the second boy we have lost. It was fun to see so many old friends in California. Some haven't changed a bit while others I had a hard time recognizing. We didn't get to see Bing—who lives mostly in San Francisco now as he was off in Africa. I am so upset to hear about your eye trouble. Can something be done. Do you know of Dr. Berliner in New York. He has a fabulous reputation and is supposed to be wonderful. He & his wife spend their summers here. The head of the American Academy is now Frances Fuller who is Mrs. Worthington Miner. She taught there in my day. One of my cousin's girls is there now. The place has undergone many changes but is still very good. Hope your birthday party for Arthur was a great success. Much love to you all." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Kelly's own hand. "Bing," of course, is Bing Crosby, who was Kelly's co-star in her Academy Award winning film The Country Girl. At the time this letter was written, Princess Caroline was 10, Prince Albert was 9, and Princess Stephanie was 2 years old.

Estim. 1 000 - 1 500 USD

Wed 14 Aug

U. S. Grant Civil War-Dated Autograph Letter Signed to Gen. Halleck on the Committee on the Conduct of the War (1865) Civil War-dated ALS signed “U. S. Grant, Lt. Gen.,” one page, 7.75 x 9.75, Head Quarters Armies of the United States letterhead, February 7, 1865. Handwritten telegram to Major General Henry Halleck, sent from his headquarters at City Point, Virginia, marked "Cipher" in the upper left. In full: "I will be in Washington on Thursday or Friday next. Please notify the Com. on Conduct of the War. I will be obliged to you also if you will notify Mr. Washburne." In fine condition. The Congressional Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War investigated and provided oversight of President Abraham Lincoln's command of the Union Army in the Civil War. General Grant asks Henry Halleck to inform the committee, and his chief advocate, Congressman Elihu B. Washburne, of his impending arrival in the nation's capital. On February 11th, Grant appeared before the committee in relation to Benjamin Butler’s earlier failed effort against Fort Fisher and the question of prisoner exchanges with the Confederates. On the latter subject, the Union Army commander explained: 'I have effected an arrangement for the exchange of prisoners, man for man and officer for officer, or his equivalent, according to the old cartel, until one or the other party has exhausted the number they now hold...Just as fast as they can deliver our prisoners to us I will receive them, and deliver their prisoners to them...The suffering said to exist among our prisoners south was a powerful argument against the course pursued, and I so felt it.'

Estim. 2 000 - 4 000 USD

Wed 14 Aug

Grover Cleveland Document Signed as President, Prohibiting the Hunting of Fur Seals Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 8 x 10, Executive Mansion letterhead, April 9, 1894. President Cleveland directs the Secretary of State to cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to “my proclamation of the Act of Congress approved the 6th instant, to give effect to the award rendered by the Tribunal of Arbitration at Paris under the treaty between the U. S. & Great Britain of Feby 29, 1892.” Signed neatly at the conclusion by Grover Cleveland. In fine condition. This document relates to Cleveland’s signing of Proclamation 364: Prohibiting the Hunting of Fur Seals on April 6, 1894, an act designed to drastically limit the hunting of fur seals by both the United States and Great Britain in and around the Bering Sea. While the U.S. sought to employ a more sustainable seal-harvesting method that was akin to the Russians before them, seal vessels from Great Britain and Ireland opposed and/or ignored these measures, which resulted in the United States Revenue Cutter Service, today known as the United States Coast Guard, capturing several Canadian sealer vessels throughout the conflict. This led to The Bering Sea Arbitration of 1893 and, for a little while, a potential war between the United States and Great Britain was in the balance. The North Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911 did much to curtail the seal industry. Signed on July 7, 1911, the treaty was designed to manage the commercial harvest of fur-bearing mammals (such as Northern fur seals and sea otters) in the Pribilof Islands of the Bering Sea. The treaty, signed by the United States, Great Britain (also representing Canada), Japan, and Russia, outlawed open-water seal hunting and acknowledged the United States' jurisdiction in managing the on-shore hunting of seals for commercial purposes. It was the first international treaty to address wildlife preservation issues.

Estim. 400 - 600 USD