The Billionaire Collection
Rare Berry Gordy Signed 1971 Contract with Sammy Davis Jr.: “Don’t judge yourself by others’ standards...”
Sold Out
Berry Gordy could be the greatest record man in American music history. From a modest wood-frame home in Detroit he built Motown Records, which in the 1960s and ’70s grew to become the most successful independent record label in America, producing some of the greatest, most enduring popular music in history.
It didn’t start out that way though. An ex shoe shiner, failed boxer and failed record store owner, he always believed he was going to make his mark on the world and specifically in music. After trying his hand at writing and not realizing the success he was looking for he decided to try his own record label.
In 1959, Gordy formed his first label, Tamla Records, eventually becoming Motown Records, and purchased the property that would become Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. studio, in Detroit Michigan. Within seven years, Motown would occupy seven additional neighboring houses while ushering in the careers of legendary artists like Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Diana Ross. By the end of 1966, Motown had hired over 450 employees and had a gross income of $20 million. For decades Motown was the highest-earning African American business in the United States. Motown Records was inducted into Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2018.
This document is an amazing piece of music history, memorializing one of Berry Gordy’s historic deals, this one with the late great Sammy Davis Jr. In which Davis sells back his interest to Gordy in a music label(Ecology) that they started together. This Berry Gordy Jr. and Sammy Davis Jr. contract, dated October 28, 1971, has been beautifully signed by both Berry Gordy and Sammy Davis Jr, above their indicated signature lines, on the lower half of the contract.
Above the contract is an authentic antique original Photo, from the period, showing Berry Gordy at his desk. Below both photo and document, we have included one of Gordy’s famous and inspiring quotes, that really speaks to Gordy’s mindset and how he was able to accomplish what he did.
“Don’t judge yourself by others’ standards…have your own. And don’t get caught up into the trap of changing yourself to fit the world. The world has to change to fit you.” -Berry Gordy Jr.
All of this is beautifully framed in our hand built, contemporary, wide frame, enhanced with professional white matting.
As with all of our works, every piece is original. Only the highest quality materials have been used in the assembly of this item. Sourced from the best manufacturers around the world, we build every frame tailored specifically for the item it will hold. Protected with 99% UV museum quality glass, and carefully crafted with acid free paper whenever possible. Our premium wood moldings are cut using the newest technology and every single piece is assembled and inspected by our team here in Los Angeles.
All autographs have been authenticated by third party experts from the top authenticators in the country, and notarized certificates of authenticity are included in a black leather portfolio. Copies of the original authentications are kept on file with Billionaire Collectibles and can be retrieved by the original purchaser.
We stand 100% behind all of our works of art, and offer a lifetime guarantee on every piece, for as long as you own it.
