Kern, Jerome. (1885–1945)
Signed Song Contract
DS, one page, 8.5 x 11, December 26, 1944. Kern, for the consideration of one dollar, sells the rights to his song “Sweetest Sight That I Have Seen,” to the T. B. Harms Company. Signed at the conclusion in black ink, below a crossed out signature. In fine condition, with a staple hole to top left.The reason why Kern sold the rights to this song for the token sum of a dollar just one day after Christmas is indeed curious. For nearly 40 years, the company that acquired the rights had been his publisher ... perhaps Kern, who had recently obtained membership in the National Institute of Arts and Letters, was simply feeling benevolent. During the course of his career, Kern’s style grew and evolved to such a degree that it helped establish a link between the great tradition of the European operetta and the Broadway musical. In November 1945, about a year after agreeing to the terms of this document, Kern passed away. An interesting—if mildly puzzling—piece of music history. (4178)
Signed Document/Item Song