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1200

Carole Lombard, Gary Cooper, William Wellman and Frank Capra

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Carole Lombard, Gary Cooper, William Wellman and Frank Capra

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Auction Date:2012 Feb 15 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Incredible TLS signed by Carole Lombard, Gary Cooper, Norma Shearer, Ronald Colman, Frank Capra, William Wellman, and Joel McCrea, one page, 8.5 x 11, Special Committee, Community Chest, Beverly Hills letterhead, April 2, 1940. In an impassioned request to MGM Vice President, Edward J. Mannix, the Special Committee of the Community Chest writes, in full: “Those of us whose names appear in printed form here met the other night to discuss confidentially and fearlessly our relationship to the Community Chest and the problems, doubts and responsibilities arising out of the matter from an industry standpoint. Some of us came to oppose, to fight. During a four hour meeting, with no outside influence present, we learned for the first time Community Chest facts which converted us as one to the cause of this organized charitable distributing agency that makes possible 88 separate charities within our community.

We learned that 94 cents out of every dollar goes into the hands of the needy; that only 6 cents out of each dollar is required for administrative expenses. We learned we may designate, in giving our contribution to the Community Chest, the charity or charities of the 88 to which we wish our money to go, in full or in part. We learned this community which we are a part, is in need of our help and the Chest IS the best means with which to handle the serious problem of those in need. We learned too that an educational program is needed in behalf of the Community Chest so everyone else will know, as we now know, that the Chest truly deserves our support. We want you to be with us, help us. It is imperative for some of us to give a little more to make up our $200,000 shortage for the Community Chest.” Some trivial creasing and a staple mark to the top left corner, otherwise fine condition. A very uncommon reunion of authentic signatures of four major films stars and two great directors.

Up to and after World War II, The Community Chest was America's foremost relief fund, but in 1940 Hollywood balked when movie relief organizations were passed over for increased benefits after donating $365,000 in 1939. To make up for the estimated 50% shortfall, the Special Committee for the Beverly Hills Community Chest sent this April 2nd solicitation letter to Mannix, seeking a donation to help close the deficit. By December 19, the film industry rang up a total of $465,708 in contributions and as a result, movie relief organizations such as the Hollywood Guild, the Motion Picture Relief Fund, the Assistance League, and the Screen Actors' Guild received a 47% funding increase.

Lombard, known for her charitable work, attended war bond rallies to raise money; after a fundraiser in Indiana which raised over $2 million in defense bonds, she boarded a TWA flight home. The plane crashed outside Las Vegas on January 16, 1942, killing all aboard including Lombard, her mother and 15 army servicemen. She is considered the first United States woman casualty of the World War II and in 1944, the Liberty ship SS Carole Lombard was christened and launched in her honor.
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