Certified Brian Keith Hand-Signed 1953 Live Television Contract
We are proud to present an original, fully executed Standard AFTRA Engagement Contract — Network Television dated October 13, 1953, personally hand-signed by stage, film, and television icon, Brian Keith.
Issued during the pioneering days of live television, this goldenrod document captures the future Family Affair star contractually locking in a performance during the very first month The United States Steel Hour made its historic debut. Fully executed covenants from the dawn of nationwide live drama are extraordinarily rare, representing the highest tier of celebrity collecting.
Archive Highlights
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Authentic Brian Keith Signature: Features a crisp signature "Brian Keith" hand-executed in blue ink across the primary "Performer" line of the execution panel.
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"The United States Steel Hour" Debut Covenant: Formalizes metrics for his role on the Emmy Award-winning live anthology series, typewritten as “United States Steel Hour”. Keith is cast to portray the principal part of "Bonsell".
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Live Telecast & ABC Studio Provenance: Scheduled for a live broadcast on Tuesday, October 27, 1953, from 9:30–10:30 PM straight out of the historic ABC Studio #1 at 7 West 66th Street, New York City. Keith commanded a salary of $500.00, routed to MCA Artists, Ltd.
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Intense Rehearsal Grid: Outlines a grueling schedule split between the famous St. Nicholas Arena for early blocking and ABC Studio #1 for intensive on-camera blocks and final dress rehearsal leading into the live national airtime.
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Elite Golden Age Production Lineage: Issued by the famous theatrical society The Theatre Guild. The document is certified and countersigned on the producer line by iconic associate producer Armina Marshall.
Condition & Preservation
Spanning over seven decades of television heritage, this complete two-page document bundle is in magnificent vintage condition. The original paper stock remains clean, crisp, and structurally sound with clean mechanical margins. Page two maps out the complete 7-point boilerplate detailing standard AFTRA codes of fair practice. Keith's signature, Marshall's executive autograph, and all custom typewriter fields are flawlessly bold and preserved. For data compliance, the Social Security box has been neatly blacked out. The archive comes safely housed inside a clear, archival-grade protective sleeve.
Secure this certified contract archive—a premier crown jewel for any world-class collection of pop culture artifacts, classic television history, or rare twentieth-century Americana manuscripts today!
