Lot 993: 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, payable to James Dean for $45.00, January 29, 1954, and also endorsed on the reverse, "James Dean." In fine condition, with an unobtrusive vertical fold through a single letter of the signature on the pay line and expected cancellation holes, affecting the same signature.About a week later, on February 8, 1954, Dean debuted on Broadway as Bachir in The Immortalist, appearing with Louis Jordan and Geraldine Page. The up-and-coming star received rave reviews for his performance as a blackmailing Arab houseboy, and although Dean left the play only two weeks after it opened on Broadway-due to a dispute with the producer-the part brought him his first important recognition as an actor. It also captured the attention of Elia Kazan, who was casting a movie treatment of John Steinbeck's novel, East of Eden.