Historic 1995 "Buffalo" Bob Smith Performance Contract Archive

This museum-grade, fully executed corporate Performance Contract—dated September 15, 1995—stands as an exceptional artifact of early children's television variety broadcasting and mid-century pop culture history. Personally hand-signed by the host of the iconic children's show "Howdy Doody", and early television pioneer "Buffalo" Bob Smith, this document captures a live retrospective appearance from a prominent era of late-twentieth-century nostalgia. It formalizes the technical and financial parameters for an exclusive midwestern live theater and interactive piano show.

Production Specifications & Performance Riders

Brokered by Nationwide Entertainment Services / Celebrity Suppliers of Las Vegas, the agreement establishes a rigorous operational framework for the veteran entertainer:

• The Performance Itinerary: Formally typewritten as “BOB SMITH-Meet & Greet/Piano”, the single-day engagement was scheduled for December 16, 1995, inside the Ballroom of the Hotel Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska. The structured schedule logs a 30-minute piano show followed by a one-hour autograph session.

• Financial Compensation Matrix: Establishes a total baseline fee of $2,500.00, split as an immediate $750.00 deposit check and a final balance of $1,750.00 delivered to Smith in cash on the night of the appearance.

• Travel & Technical Stage Riders: Mandates one round-trip coach airfare from Asheville, North Carolina, ground transfers, one hot meal, and a hotel room. Crucially, the venue was legally required to furnish one baby grand piano, custom-tuned on the day of the show, along with professional stage spotlight and sound reinforcement.

Autograph Pedigree & Archival Condition

• Pristine Signature Specimen: Positioned flawlessly across the primary line designated "ARTIST'S NAME / AGREED & ACCEPTED BY", the Howdy Doody icon hand-penned an absolute exhibition-quality cursive signature: "Bob Smith". Written in dark ink directly below a printed coordinator indicator arrow, the script showcases his remarkably crisp, elegant early calling-card calligraphy.

• Validation Elements: The document features the counter-signature of agency executive A.J. Sagman and lists Smith's private estate address at 500 Overlook Drive in Flat Rock, North Carolina, hand-dated 9/11/95.

• CONSIGNER NOTES: Collecting contracts like this wonderful Buffalo Bob Smith (1917 – 1998) signed performance contract is really interesting – as you get to see the fascinating details and provisions of their performance agreements (such as in this case, where instructions are given to send a deposit of $750 – and “the balance of $1750. will be handed to Bob prior to the appearance on the night of the16th in cash.” ) While there are likely hundreds of photos that Bob has signed during his many public appearance, a signed contract like this is very scarce and special.

   

Preserved for over three decades, the original white bond paper stock sheet remains in magnificent, museum-quality condition with sharp corners and legible typescript. For strict data privacy compliance, sensitive individual Social Security and corporate tax identification blocks have been neatly blacked out. This certified booking covenant represents the absolute zenith of premium children's television heritage collecting.