Description:

Lenny Bruce
Los Angeles, CA, November 14, 1958
Lenny Bruce Signed Production Contract For "A Wonderfully Sick Evening" at Los Angeles's Attic Theatre, PSA Certified
DS

A 4pp legal agreement signed by American comedian Lenny Bruce (1925-1966), as "Lenny Bruce" on the last page; and cosigned by the other party, music manager Herbert L. "Herb" Cohen (1932-2010), as "Herbert L Cohen" just below. November 14, 1958. Los Angeles, California. The contract, a carbon copy on watermarked onion-skin paper, is stapled to an oversized light blue protective wrapper. The business card of Los Angeles Attorney at Law Burton Marks is stapled to the wrapper at lower right. Isolated gentle flattened transmittal folds. The fold on the last page is slightly yellowed and affects Cohen's signature. The wrapper shows minor chipped edges and yellowing. Else near fine. The wrapper measures 9" x 14.25." Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA Authentication Services (Newport Beach, California), certification number AM01775, dated March 3, 2023.

This "Agreement" cosigned by Bruce and Cohen was valid for one year, beginning from November 14, 1958. The terms of the contract pertained to a "venue called the Attic Theatre" in Los Angeles, California, where Lenny's original comedic routine, here called "A Wonderfully Sick Evening," would be performed. The agreement consists of three points: "Distribution of Receipts and Profits"; "With Respect to Losses, If Any"; and "Miscellaneous Provisions and Agreements." The contract outlines how profits are to be shared after expenses are paid (labor, accountant, advertising, and other overhead), and how this payment structure changes depending on whether Bruce is in or not in Los Angeles. It also established a minimum time commitment from Bruce (three months, not necessarily consecutive but cumulative.)

Bruce's sketch "A Wonderfully Sick Evening" sometimes appears on his discography as either "A Wonderful Sick Evening with Lenny Bruce" or "A Sick Evening With Lenny Bruce." "Sick Evening" had a short-lived run by all accounts; it was only performed in December 1958 according to one discography. In true Bruce fashion, jazz musicians like Bob Dorough entertained comedy audiences during intermissions. Herb Cohen was Bruce's manager. He also represented many other famous Los Angeles-based musical talent of the day.

Lenny Bruce revolutionized American comedy, by his transgressive interrogation of taboo issues like sex, race, religion, and society, and also by his use of unedited language. Bruce pushed the envelope of humor, and by so doing, also pushed against the boundaries of socially and legally acceptable public behavior. As such, he is now known as a champion of free speech. Bruce was arrested 15 times in two years, mostly on obscenity charges. The entertainer was blacklisted and facing bankruptcy when he died of an accidental morphine overdose at the age of 40 in 1966.

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.

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  • Dimensions: wrapper measures: 9" x 14.25"
  • Medium: DS

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