American actor and director (1864–1946) who earned a place in Hollywood history as the screen’s first great movie cowboy. Blue pencil endorsement signature, “Wm. S. Hart,” on the reverse of a 9.25 x 3.25 business check for $100 made out to him by the New York Motion Picture Corporation (listing Thos. H. Ince as general manager), July 9, 1914. Hart signed the first motion picture contract of his career with Ince’s company earlier in the same year. Usual bank stamps and vertical folds (away from signature), otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.