LOT #46076 |
Sold on Jul 29, 2011 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
Yankee Doodle Dandy Academy Award for Best Sound Recording (1942), Awarded to Nathan Levinson, One of the Few Availabl...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
Yankee Doodle Dandy Academy Award for Best Sound Recording (1942), Awarded to Nathan Levinson, One of the Few Available to be Resold. One of the most recognizable of Hollywood icons, these statuettes have been coveted and pursued by writers, directors, actors, producers, and technicians as a symbol of the ultimate achievement in their field. Approximately 50 awards are hand-crafted each year by R.S. Owens & Company of Chicago, and as of the recent 84th Academy Awards ceremony, approximately 2,800 Oscars have been awarded.Despite the sheer number that have been produced and handed out, only a few have circulated amongst collectors of Hollywood memorabilia, for a very simple reason: Since 1950, a requirement has existed that stipulates that neither Academy Award winners nor their heirs may sell the statuettes without first offering to sell them back to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the sum of $1. If a winner refuses to sign said agreement, the Academy keeps the statuette. A 2007 Forbes article suggests that only an approximate 150 statuettes have ever been sold; often, the buyer returns the award to the Academy, which stores them in its vaults.
This particular Academy First Award for Sound Recording was awarded to Levinson at the 15th Academy Awards ceremony for his work on the classic 1942 musical biopic about entertainer George M. Cohan. The movie featured one of James Cagney's signature performances, which earned him an Oscar as well. (Theirs were two of the three awards won by the movie, out of an impressive eight nominations.)
Levinson played a major role in bringing sound to motion pictures with his work on Don Juan (1926, the first feature-length film with synchronized Vitaphone sound effects and musical soundtrack) and The Jazz Singer (1927, The first feature-length motion picture with synchronized dialogue). In 1927, he received a special Academy Award for his outstanding service in the industry.
Because it was awarded in March of 1942, this is one of the few awards to be exempted from the Academy's no-sale rule, and thus is one of the last Oscars awarded that is available for resale, and the Academy has graciously given its blessing for it to be made available in public auction.
Made of gold-plated britannium on a black metal base, the statuette stands 13.5", weighs 8.5 lbs., and depicts an Art Deco-style male figure holding a sword standing upon a reel of film, a design recognized worldwide. It is in Very Fine condition with some small areas of tarnishing and wear, primarily to the back of the statuette, and has a small dent to the base. This is a rare opportunity to own an award that is as coveted by collectors as it is by the Hollywood elite.
Auction Info
2011 July Dallas Signature Music & Entertainment Auction #7038 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
July, 2011
29th
Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 7
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 8,563
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $14) per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
This item cannot be shipped using standard methods. Please contact us for more information. Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
This item cannot be shipped using standard methods. Please contact us for more information. Sales Tax information
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms