Andy's [Andy Kaufman's] Press Kit by His Mother Mrs. Stanley Kaufman (Original press kit, circa 1979)

N.p.: N.p., 1979. Vintage press kit for comedian and performance artist Andy Kaufman, circa 1979. Unique or nearly so. All materials housed in a manila envelope, with Andy's Press Kit by His Mother Mrs. Stanley Kaufman stamped on the front.

Press kit composed of ten pieces of printed ephemera, including newspaper clippings, copies of articles and reviews, a program for Kaufman's legendary 1979 performance at Carnegie Hall, a picture of Kaufman in character as Tony Clifton, and a biography and contact information for The Love Family, the cloyingly sweet and earnest family act which opened Kaufman's Carnegie Hall show.

A gathering of ephemera purportedly assembled by his mother (though it could have just as easily been done by Kaufman himself), designed to promote the performance artist at the height of his career, much of the material relating to his infamous Carnegie Hall performance.

A self-described "song and dance man," Andy Kaufman came to national prominence as a guest on the inaugural broadcast of Saturday Night Live, and later as the beloved character Latka Gravas on the television sitcom Taxi. Throughout his career Kaufman deconstructed nearly all expectations of what constituted comedy performance, and left an indelible mark on all standup comedy that followed.

Materials vary in size, from 14.5 x 22 inches to 5.5 to 8.5 inches. 8 x 10 inches. Very Good plus to Near Fine overall, with some toning and light edgewear overall.

Manila envelope measuring 9 x 12 inches. Very Good plus, with some creasing and closed tears on the top flap.