Rare, early DS, signed “Charles Chaplin,” three pages, including the cover letter sent to Chaplin, 8.5 x 11, January 8, 1923. Agreement between Chaplin and First National Pictures detailing the payment and performance details for his final two films for them, Pay Day and The Pilgrim, his 76 and 77th films respectively.
Signed on the heels of Chaplin’s great success with The Kid, this is a significant contract in that it would be the last Chaplin would ever sign with another production company before joining his fellow partners at United Artists.
Chaplin was able to achieve financial independence because of the money that he made with First National. Chaplin, along with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D. W. Griffith, decided that he needed to escape the growing power of the developing Hollywood studio system. Thus, in 1921, they founded United Artists, giving Chaplin complete control of his productions and independence as a film-maker.
It is also notable in that Pay Day, which he wrote, directed, and starred in, would be Chaplin’s last two-reel short film. The Pilgrim, released the following year, was Chaplin’s second shortest feature, constructed in a similar manner to his two-reel films. Following his move to his own production company, all of Chaplin’s films were feature length. In very good condition, with staple holes to upper edges, scattered light creasing and horizontal folds, and light pencil notations. Originally initialed “C. C.” within the signature area in pencil (not by Chaplin), but Chaplin later signed boldly in very dark fountain pen. All four of Harry Schwalbe’s signatures bearing a First National stamp, indicating that this was Chaplin’s copy of the agreement. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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