Description:

DeMille Cecil

Cecil B. DeMille Declines Offer to Buy Volcano Footage

 

2pp typed letter signed by Cecil B. DeMille (1881-1959), a leading director/producer of Hollywood's Golden Age, as "CecilB. deMille." at the center of the second page. Written in Hollywood, California on April 17, 1952. On watermarked cream stationery with "Paramount Pictures Corporation / West Coast Studies" letterhead, complete with a snowy mountain peak logo. A "Cecil B. DeMille Productions" emblem featuring a knight on horseback can be found at lower left. Expected wear including light paper folds and a few paper clip impressions. The paper edges are double hole-punched. Else very good to near fine. 8.5" x 11". Ex Ray V. Denslow (see bio below).

 

In 1952, Cecil B. DeMille was laying the groundwork for what would become his last and most profitable feature length film: 1956's The Ten Commandments, the sensational remake of his original 1923 film of the same name. Though he was busy lobbying Paramount Pictures' Board of Directors to approve of the remake, DeMille took a moment to catch up on correspondence, declining an offer to purchase footage of an erupting Mexican volcano.

 

In part, with unchanged spelling:

 

"Thank you for your recent letter regarding General Alberto Zuno Hernandez and the film which he showed you of the volcano, Paracutin.

 

Coincidentally, I have complete coverage of this eruption from its very beginning which was filmed by Mr. Arthur Rosson, who happened to be in Mexico for me at that time…

 

It is difficult to advise General Zuno how best to stir up interest in his film.

 

The various studio film libraries very seldom buy any footage 'on spec'. However, there are two main possibilities regarding his film. One is to send it as a climax for a feature picture. The other more likely possibility is to use it as a basis for a short subject…"

 

Paricutin was a cinder cone volcano that had formed in a cornfield in southwestern Mexico in 1943. The volcano spewed smoke, ash, lava, and stone into the surrounding area on and off for nine years, until early 1952. (It has since been dormant.) In the letter, DeMille mentions that British director Arthur Rosson (1886-1960) had already captured footage of an eruption. Rosson served as Second Unit Director of DeMille's films between 1930 and 1959.

 

Cecil B. DeMille produced 70 films over his 44-year-long career in Hollywood. He entered the entertainment industry as an actor but quickly segued into the creative and managerial side of production. Along with Jess Lasky and Adolph Zukor, DeMille co-founded Paramount Pictures--one of Hollywood's future film studio behemoths--in 1912. DeMille directed Hollywood's first blockbusters. These were spectacular productions with gorgeous settings and costumes, which often featured themes of violence and sexuality against biblical backdrops.

 

Provenance

 

Ray V. Denslow (1885-1960), a fourth generation Freemason, and internationally renowned Masonic historian, having written over 20 full volumes and 62 booklets on Masonic subjects. He held extensive positions as a Freemason over his lifetime including Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Missouri and as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Missouri. Perhaps his greatest national honor was that of serving as General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, from 1942-46. He was Grand Master of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 1949; Grand Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1943; Grand Chancellor of the Grand College of Rites; Great Prior of the Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte, U.S.A. in 1952; and Grand Abbot of the Society of Blue Friars at the time of his death. He held almost 100 honorary memberships in Masonic groups stretching from France to the Philippines.

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000