Certified Jackie Coogan Hand-Signed 1961 Diamond Artists Theatrical Motion Picture Agency Contract
This listing is for an exceptional piece of cinema history and entertainment law lore: the original, fully executed multi-page Theatrical Motion Picture Agency Contract structured between legendary former child star and iconic character actor Jackie Coogan and Diamond Artists, Limited, Agency. Executed and dated May 15, 1961, this historic legal archive is hand-signed by Coogan a few years before he captured the hearts of a new generation of television viewers as the unforgettable Uncle Fester on The Addams Family.
Key Features:
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AUTHENTIC JACKIE COOGAN SIGNATURE: The final signature page is uniquely hand-signed "Jackie Coogan" in fluid script across the primary "Actor" block. Above his typed name, Coogan signs with a distinct stylistic variant reading "Jackie Cooper", rendering this specific document a fascinating study for autograph enthusiasts and historical manuscript collectors. Fully executed agency contracts signed by Coogan during this classic television transition era are remarkably scarce.
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DIAMOND ARTISTS AGENCY LINEAGE: The contract establishes a formal, exclusive talent representation agreement with Diamond Artists, Limited, Agency out of Hollywood, California. Diamond Artists famously managed some of the entertainment industry’s most prominent crossover variety stars during the mid-20th century.
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EXACT UNION METRICS & COMMISSIONS: Operating as an official talent covenant under Screen Actors Guild (SAG) structural guidelines, the contract details precise baseline administrative parameters:
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Term of Engagement: Locked for a standard duration of one (1) year, officially commencing May 15, 1961.
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Agency Commission: Fixed at the formal standard rate of ten (10) percent of all moneys or other consideration received by Coogan from theatrical motion picture employment.
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Collection Authority: Section 8 explicitly features a custom initialed rider empowering the agent to collect and receive gross funds before passing the net share over to the actor.
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LEGENDARY INTERNAL EXECUTIVE SUPERVISION: Highlighting a rare look at the inner workings of mid-century representation, Paragraph 8 logs the small panel of legendary Hollywood talent executives bound to personally supervise Coogan's business affairs, typing out the prominent names: Abner J. Greshler and Arthur U. Gregory.
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COUNTERSIGNED BY ABNER J. GRESHLER: Validating its complete structural execution and corporate provenance, the final page is formally countersigned by Abner J. Greshler acting as the official agent for Diamond Artists. Greshler was a legendary Hollywood manager and producer famous for discovering Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
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COMPREHENSIVE SIX-PAGE COMPLETE ARCHIVE: The buyer will receive the full operational document bundle spanning pages 1 through 6. The extensive legal text covers 91-day unemployment termination windows, arbitration guidelines under the Labor Commissioner of the State of California, and non-performance parameters.
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COLLECTOR'S ARCHIVAL CONDITION: Spanning over six and a half decades of Hollywood history, this original, partially printed agency document is in wonderful condition. The paper stock remains clean, crisp, and structurally sound, with the printed legal borders, historical indices (CM-2 MP W-4/57), and hand-inked pen strokes beautifully preserved and entirely unblemished. It comes safely housed in clear archival-grade sleeves.
Disclaimer:
Please be advised that the text and images provided show the exact, unique physical multi-page 1961 agency agreement and verified signatures you will receive in this listing. As an authentic, hand-signed entertainment industry artifact from the golden age of classic Hollywood television production, the precise character of the pen strokes and the natural vintage properties of the paper stock are entirely unique to this individual piece of history.
Own an Unrivaled Piece of Hollywood Heritage Today!
While standard promotional autographed photos can be found, original, fully executed talent agency agreements represent the absolute highest echelon of industry memorabilia because they provide un-staged, formal documentation of an icon's private business foundations. Directly linking the personal signature of Jackie Coogan to the powerhouse Diamond Artists banner and legendary manager Abner J. Greshler, this contract is a premier crown-jewel centerpiece for any world-class collection of pop culture artifacts, television history, or rare American manuscripts.
