Lot 1171: Autographs: James Dean

Autographs: 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. Rare and highly desirable bank check, 6 x 2.75, filled out and signed by Dean, "James Dean," payable to James Dean for $20.00, February 17, 1954. Check is also endorsed on the reverse, "James Dean," above a 54th Street Tavern Inc. stamp. Dean hung out at the 54th Street Tavern and the establishment would cash his checks. The tavern is mentioned in all of Dean's biographies. A vertical fold through a single letter of first signature, cancellation holes through portion of the same signature, show-through from stamps on reverse, and a red cancellation stroke through single letter of second signature, otherwise fine condition. Dean would leave New York for Los Angeles on April 8, 1954, to begin shooting Elia Kazan's East of Eden, the role that would garner him the first posthumous acting nomination in the history of the Academy Awards.