Archive consisting of four signed documents and eight letters penned by legendary golfer Sam Snead at the peak of his game to his business manager and golf promoter, Fred Corcoran, who remade a fledgling PGA with Snead’s help.
(1) ADS, [circa Jan - July 1946], one page, 6 X 9.25, on Hotel President stationery, Kansas City, Missouri. Agreement with Fred Corcoran. In part: “I hereby authorize Fred Corcoran to arrange for all exhibition matches with the following starting July 13, 1946 to July 13, 1948 all matches for a fee of $500.00 or more – 15% / on matches $250. - $400 - 10%. Radio and endorsements 15% / Newspaper – magazines – movies and appearances – 15%.” Early, perhaps first written agreement between Fred Corcoran and Sam Snead which, combining Snead’s great talent and Corcoran’s promotional skills, turned Snead into a sports page celebrity almost overnight.
(2) ADS signed, “Sam Snead” and “Fred Corcoran”, one page, 8.5 X 11, January 15, 1950. A contract in the form of a letter. Addressed to Fred [Corcoran]. In part, “This will confirm our agreement that you act as my exclusive business manager. You are to handle all my affairs relative to golf, except tournaments. You are to receive 10% of all contracts made. You will keep me always informed of all contracts for my approval. / I will not allow others to handle my affairs during this contract.”
(3)ALS, signed, “Sam”, one page, 7.25 X 10.5, April 25, 1950. Letter to Fred Corcoran. In part: “Received your letter from Mr. Icely [President of Wilson Sporting Goods and investor in the founding of the LPGA tour] and I’m forwarding the contracts signed and etc. Guess I’ll be seeing you at the Open or Goodall.”
(4) ALS, signed “Sam”, one page, 7.25 X 10.5, December 19, 1950, on writer’s stationery, no place. Brief letter to Corcoran asking him to review a letter.
(5) ALS, signed, “Sam”, June 5, 1951, one page, 7.25 X 10.5. Another brief letter addressed to Fred Corcoran.
(6) DS, dated October 24th, 1951, one page, 8.5 X 11, New York. Addressed to Harry A. Gourfain, Gourfain – Cobb Advertising Agc’y. In full, “For a fee of One Thousand Dollars, ($1,000.00) paid in hand, you are authorized to use my Photograph, Likeness and Endorsement in advertisements for your Client the Motorola Corporation in association with their products. / This authorization is for a period of One Year from above date. / (signed) Sam Snead.”
(7) ALS, signed, “Sam Snead” , one page, 7.25” X 10.5, on The Greenbrier and Cottages stationery, West Virginia, [1952],with accompanying B&W, 8” X 10” photograph of the Brazilian Open Trophy. Addressed to Fred [Corcoran}. In full, “ I thought perhapps [sic] you may like to cast your eyes on the Brazilian Open Trophy.” Snead won the Brazil Open in 1952, as well as the Masters.
(8) DS, sigend, “Sam Snead”, one page, 6 X 4, no date. Also signed by Fred Corcoran. In part: “I hereby consent to the use by you or by anyone you authorize of a motion picture, sound or silent, or photograph of me, or any reproduction of same in any form whatsoever. I agree that such motion picture, sound track of myself, in plates or negatives connected therewith shall be an remain your personal property.”
(9) DS sigend, “Sam Snead”, one page, 8.5 X 11, August 12, 1952. Also signed by Fred Corcoran. Partially mimeographed document completed in type and corrected in type and in hand as follows, “In consideration of value received, which is hereby acknowledged, I, ‘Sam Snead’ [name typed in blank area], hereby consent and authorize ‘David D. Donniger Company’ [company name typed in blank area] and Grey Advertising Agency, Inc., its successors, assigns, principals and those acting under its permission or upon its authority, to copyright and/or use, in whole or in part, my portrait and/or my name ‘and/or the statement of my endorsement of’ [and…of X’s out in type replaced with ‘in connection with ‘McGregor Sports Wear’ [in type with Sports Wear crossed through in pen and replaced with ‘Drizzler Jackets only’ in pen] in advertising and publicity and of every kind, or in trade, or for any purposes, without any restrictions or limitations whatsoever as to such use, for ‘a period of’ [phrase X’d through in type and replaced in type with ‘the period from October 1, 1953 to September 30, 1954.’] / I warrant that I am of full age and have every right to contract in my own name in the above regard.”
(10) DS signed, “Sam Snead”, one page, 8.5 X 11, October 13th, 1953. In part: “This will confirm our verbal agreement whereby the David D. Doniger Company, manufacturers of McGregor Sportswear, pays you the sum of Two thousand ($2,000.) dollars for the following: / A posed publicity picture of you driving a golf ball, while you are wearing a Drizzler Jacket; / You drive three balls, distances to be measured, at Greenbrier, on or about March 20, 1954; / You pose with the winner of the Drizzler Driving Contest for publicity purposes; / You personally give a golf lesson a day for one week to the Grand Prize Winner of the Drizzler Driving Contest at a time mutually satisfactory to the winner, yourself and the David D. Doniger Company.”
(11) ALS, signed “Sam”, one page, 7.25 X 10.5, February 7, 1957, on Boca Raton Hotel stationery, Boca Raton, Florida. Addressed to Fred [Corcoran]. In full, “Thanks for the clippings. Say! I’m inclosing [sic] the expenses that I incured [sic] at New York and travel. The Plane ticket from Miami & Back $160.38. I stayed at the Plaza 6 days $180.00. This you can use your own thoughts. The $180 was meals, Laundry, Telephone and cleaning. The Room was comp. Tips to & from the air port & Hotel $45. Other words it cost me $385.38. Are you comming [sic] down? Cheers for now.”
(12)ALS, signed “Sam”, one page, 6 X 9.5, on Hotel Schroeder stationery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, [1957 – 1965?]. Letter to Corcoran. In full, “Saw Ted [Williams] at the game and as always he couldn’t keep still long enough to talk and that Lopez took all the boys out of the game before it was over. I don’t know what the room air conditioner is. What ever you say. They can send one to Hot Springs, Va. See you at the P.G.A.”
In fine overall condition. RRAuction COA.
