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Desi Arnaz Signed Contract for Purchase of RKO Studios Film Library

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Desi Arnaz Signed Contract for Purchase of RKO Studios Film Library
DISCLAIMER: PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD IN “AS IS” CONDITION, WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. THE ITEMS OFFERED WERE ALL COLLECTED FOR THEIR DISPLAYABILITY, AND MAY OR MAY NOT BE IN WORKING CONDITION. Please call us at (818) 937-9399 or email us at blacksparrowauctions@gmail.com for condition reports or any general inquiry.
Original signed 9-page (with duplicate first page) contract, on 8.5" x 13" onionskin paper, hand-dated December 11, 1957, for the sale of RKO Studios Film Library. This purchase helped cement Desi Arnaz as one of the biggest wheelers and dealers in early television history. In addition to being the businessman behind the success of the "Lucy" franchise and Desilu Studios, Arnaz is credited with innovating the sitcom medium, with much of his ideas still being employed to this day. The contract reads, in part: "Subject to all the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, RKO hereby sells, assigns, transfers and sets over unto DESILU all of its right, title and interest in and to RKO's so-called 'stock film library', 'library of process shots', 'music stock library', and, 'sound effects library'." Signed on Page 9 by RKO's Daniel O'Shea and Desi Arnaz representing Desilu Productions, with Desilu embossed sealed at the bottom of the page. In fine condition.