ALS, three pages both sides, 6.25 x 9, personal letterhead, March 21, 1955. Letter to one of the founders of his fledgling fan club, Barbara Rushmore. Newman tries to relay the fact that he does what he does for himself. In part, “As for the membership cards and buttons…I sort of think the buttons and cards are presumptuous, not on your part, but on mine. They almost say, ‘Look at me! I’m a star.’ I’m not deserving of that for one thing and I’m not ready for it for another…I have no idea why I feel the necessity to defend myself but since I do I’ll admit only one thing and that is—I have an odd, perhaps non-commercial idea about my responsibilities as a working person in the theatre. I have one basic obligation and that is to myself—to be recognized and possibly applauded only upon the merits of my performances and what I am able to create. I have no intention of trying to achieve notoriety by being seen at the Stork Club, by being something that I am not, i.e., an exciting and eccentric commercial personality. I cannot understand how actors can use their wives and children as devices to get themselves publicity for themselves…on their ability to hit the front pages because they’ve smoked marihuana [sic] or gotten drunk and hit someone of importance, etc, ad infinitum.” Accompanied by a vintage matte-finish 5 x 7 close-up photo of Newman, and an original glossy 4.75 x 6.75 photo of Rushmore that she sent to Newman of her in a cheesecake pose wrapped in just a towel, with her personal stats written on the back. In fine condition, with a staple hole to top left corner. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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