Original Typed Contract Signed by Actor Clark Gable with The American Tobacco Company

8 1/2” x 14”, 1937. Original Typed Contract Signed by Actor Clark Gable with The American Tobacco Company, dated July 2, 1937, regarding compensating Mr. Gable for using his name, picture, and statements endorsing Lucky Strike cigarettes as his preferred brand. The contract stipulates the amount of $2,500.00 as the agreed upon amount and includes supplying Mr. Gable with one carton of Lucky Strike cigarettes per week for one year. Beneath Gable’s signature he has written on the address line “Beverly Wilshire Hotel”. With six punch holes at the top, two of which are torn. Near fine condition with a hint of handling, some faint age-toning, and a bit of edge wear. Lucky Strike was the top-selling cigarette brand in the United States during the 1930s & 40s, due in no small part to celebrity spokespeople. In 1937-38, American Tobacco paid the equivalent of $3.8 million in 2019 USD to a group of Hollywood actors and actresses for their endorsement of Lucky Strike, the highest paid being Joan Crawford and Gary Cooper, who each received $10,000 (roughly $178,000 in 2019 USD).