James Dean’s Signed Warner Bros. Contract That Defined His Career Made Thousands Of Bucks Years After His Tragic Fate
James Dean was one mighty shooting star that graced the silver screen for way too short. But that’s how comets are. It’s been over half a century since his passing in a car accident at the age of twenty-four. But the way he shined when passing through, still glints in the history of Hollywood.
Recently, some items were procured from his agent Jane Deacy’s estate. The memorabilia became a window to a Dean’s personality that was largely unknown. It had Dean’s contracts he signed, which was with Warner Bros, for East of Eden and Giant amongst other things.
An auction was conducted for these materials, which collected over $260,000.
James Dean’s Memorabilia
Jane Deacy was the first and only agent who worked for James Dean in his short-spanned career which has left an indelibly lasting impact. After her passing in 2008, a cardboard box was discovered from her estate in Virginia from some of her relatives which contained around 400 items relating to the Rebel Without A Cause star.
One of the most notable items was the aforementioned contract. Described as the “most important acting contract in the history of Hollywood,” it sold for $22,958. A James Dean autograph on the most important legal document of his life is certainly a charm.
James Dean was a motor racing fanatic. In the collection was his motorcycle registration card. Dated December 1953 the card sold for $4,004. While Dean’s New York apartment keys were sold for the price of $7,009, which is what some New Yorkers pay for rent.
Upon finding the James Dean goldmine residing in Deacy’s attic, auctioneer Nate Sanders flew all the way to Virginia to have it. This is what he said on the matter:
“One of the relatives is getting old and frail and decided to sell it – it’s going to be great for her golden years to live out with plenty of money. It was a big eye-opener just to see the collection and see the depth of it. We all sat down on their living room floor and pieced through it and I was quite blown away.”
The auction, unsurprisingly was a huge success. The longevity of Dean’s effect on culture and cinema is truly unparalleled.
Read More: Badass James Dean Refused Using a Prop, Got Multiple Injuries in Switchblade Fight in $4.5M Movie
James Dean’s Relationship with His Agent
James Dean shared a really close bond with his agent Deacy. After losing his mother at the age of nine to uterine cancer and being estranged from his stepmother, Deacy quickly began a mother figure to him.
As the memorabilia suggests, Dean called Deacy Mom or Lady Jane out of affection. Deacy started an agency solely to represent Dean. The things obtained from Deacy’s include a large silver gelatin picture, which reads in Dean’s handwriting.
“To Mom / My heart and thanks / Jim.”
His agent had become a second mother to Dean. On whom he often relied for financial and emotional support or even his career. The 13.5in x 10.25in photo with the above-stated inscription was sold for $15,101.
The memorabilia contained several handwritten letters by James Dean to his agent, which are proof of the affection the pair shared with one another.
The demand for these pieces, even after all this time is a testament to Dean’s legacy in the world.
Source: The Guardian
