Autographed Recording Services Contract: Hand-Signed by Milton Berle (Vance Music Corporation)
This entry showcases an authentic, primary-source piece of Golden Age television history, classic comedy lore, and vintage music industry contract ephemera: an official multi-page typed recording agreement, hand-signed on the final execution page by legendary entertainer Milton Berle.
Revered as "Uncle Miltie" and "Mr. Television," Milton Berle (1908–2002) was American television's first major superstar. Hosting NBC's Texaco Star Theatre (1948–1956), Berle reached unprecedented popularity, regularly capturing over 80% of the viewing audience and driving the mass adoption of television sets across American households. An inaugural inductee into the Television Hall of Fame, Berle's pioneering career spanned eight decades across vaudeville, radio, film, television, and recording arts.
Executing an agreement between Vance Music Corporation ("Company") and Sagebrush Enterprises, Inc. ("Lender"), this 11-page typed contract formalizes the exclusive loanout of Milton Berle's artistic services for master audio phonograph recordings. The comprehensive legal document details royalty distribution structures, AFTRA union scale provisions, AFTRA Code compliance, option renewal terms, and morality clause stipulations.
On Page 11, beneath the corporate execution lines for Vance Music Corporation and Sagebrush Enterprises, Inc., Milton Berle has signed his agreement to the underlying terms in vibrant blue ink:
"Milton Berle"
Berle's signature appears directly over his typed name credit under the statement, "I have read the foregoing and agree to be bound by all the terms and provisions applicable to me or my services." Additionally, several pages within the document feature blue ink initials in designated "INITIAL HERE" marginal boxes.
Preserved in fine vintage condition on standard off-white paper stock, featuring crisp typed text, original staple holes at the top margin, clean edges, and a bold blue ink signature, this contract serves as an essential centerpiece for early television archivists, comedy history collectors, and entertainment law displays.
Contract Specifications
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OFFICIAL VANCE MUSIC CORPORATION CONTRACT: Authentic 11-page typed recording services agreement executed on paper document stock.
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GOLDEN AGE TELEVISION & MUSIC EPHEMERA: Formalizes exclusive phonograph recording services, AFTRA scale, and royalty terms for Milton Berle.
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EXCELLENT VINTAGE CONDITION: Preserved in fine condition with clean document stock, legible typing, and sharp margins.
Autograph Specifications & Provenance
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HAND-SIGNED BY MILTON BERLE: Authentically autographed in blue ink ("Milton Berle") on the Page 11 execution line by Milton Berle.
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CRISP BLUE INK SIGNATURE: Features a vibrant, fully legible signature alongside marginal initials on select contract pages.
