Lot 1021: Autograph - James Dean

Autograph - James Dean American actor (1931 - 1955) best known for his star turns in three 1950s screen classics: East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant. His untimely death in a high-speed car crash came to represent the very embodiment of the "live fast, die young" philosophy - and elevated him to the status of a legend that remains unique in the annals of Hollywood. Bank check, 6.25 x 2.75, filled out and signed by Dean, "James Dean," payable to Studio Drug for $10.00, September 25, 1954. In fine condition, with cancellation holes and crease to lower left and some scattered light show-through from stamps on reverse, and a small red pencil cancellation touching the last letter of the signature.

Dean was in Hollywood around this time finishing work as Cal Trask, the troubled son of a wealthy businessman, in the film East of Eden. This very month, Eden director Elia Kazan wound up screening a rough cut of his film for colleague Nicholas Ray, director of Rebel Without a Cause, who was so impressed by Dean's on-screen presence that he offered the star the famed angst-filled role. Almost a year to the day after this drug store visit, Dean was killed in his Porsche 550 Spyder. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.