Important Sammy Davis, Jr. Archive to be Auctioned!

Includes Stirring Letter from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

DALLAS, TEXAS: One of the greatest entertainers of the Twentieth Century, Sammy Davis, Jr. was also a leading figure in the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s.

Born in New York's Harlem on December 8, 1925, Sammy Davis, Jr. was the son of Sammy Davis, Sr., an entertainer, and Elvera Sanchez, a Puerto Rican dancer, both active in vaudeville. Taken on tour by his father at a young age, Sammy, Jr. soon learned to sing and dance with the best of them (he got around the current child labor laws by posing as "Silent Sammy, the Dancing Midget," and parading backstage with a big rubber cigar clamped between his teeth and a beautiful woman on each arm).

He entered the army during World War II, and joined an entertainment unit. It was during this time that he first experienced the realities of racism, a fact that his father had successfully shielded him from during his vaudeville years. It was an eye-opening experience for the young entertainer, one that would have profound effects on the rest of his life.

After leaving the army, Sammy returned to the dance troupe led by his father and his uncle, The Will Mastin Trio. With some success under his belt, he made the leap to Broadway in 1956, when he appeared in Mr. Wonderful. He joined the Rat Pack, led by his old friend, Frank Sinatra, in 1959, and married Swedish actress May Britt in 1960, a decision that caused much controversy (it was not until 1967 that the Supreme Court overturned existing laws prohibiting interracial marriage). In 1968, Davis and Britt divorced, and in 1970, he married Altovise Gore in a ceremony officiated by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. By this time, he was one of the world's top stars, a legend wherever he appeared.

With the power and celebrity status Sammy gained from his association with Sinatra and the Rat Pack, not to mention the fame he enjoyed on his own merits, he was able to become a powerful champion for civil rights. He refused to work at any venue that practiced racial segregation, a stand that eventually led to the integration of nightclubs in both Las Vegas and Miami Beach.

A heavy smoker throughout his life, Sammy Davis, Jr. passed away on May 16, 1990, a victim of throat cancer. Through the albums and the movies that survive him, however, Sammy remains as popular as ever, still a potent force in the history of modern music.

"Sammy did it all," said Doug Norwine, Director of Music and Entertainment Auctions for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, "from sensational recording artist to member of Sinatra's Rat Pack to Las Vegas headliner to Broadway superstar to bestselling author. His accomplishments were even more astounding when one considers the giant challenges that faced him, not the least of which were the evils of segregation and prejudice he endured from his early days in the military."

"We're proud to offer a unique archive of material relating to this star-studded performer," Norwine said, "including personal correspondence, vintage photographs, records and tapes, annotated scripts, awards and commendations, and much more."

"Perhaps the single most moving piece from the entire collection," Norwine said, "is the letter written to Sammy by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in which the great Civil Rights leader talks about the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, an event that was to be a turning point in the history of the Civil Rights movement. King also references his good friend Harry Belafonte, and praises Davis for his efforts on behalf of equality in the letter."

"Also offered in this auction is another outstanding piece of correspondence," Norwine said, "also from Dr. King. In this letter, dated December 20, 1960, Dr. King mentions, 'a sojourn in jail...," discusses the play Kicks and Co., which he calls, 'a work which so perceptively mirrors the conflict of soul, the moral choices that confront our people, both Negro and white,' and thanks Davis for his involvement in the Civil Rights movement. It's a wonderful document, a personal glimpse into the hearts and souls of two great men."

Norwine continued, "Other standout items include Davis' personal hardbound Ocean's Eleven presentation book, his March 25, 1968 Laugh-In script - the first of seven appearances he would make as guest-star on the landmark TV show - a collection of letters from such notables as Frank Sinatra, Richard Nixon, Robert Kennedy, Rod Serling, and others, and his NAACP medallion, awarded for Outstanding achievement by a Black American."

"Sammy Davis, Jr. was a great entertainer," Norwine said, "but more than that, he was a great human being. Looking at the material in this archive gives us a glimpse into just how great a man he really was. We're proud to offer this material to the collecting public, and hope that everyone who honors Sammy's life and achievements will be inspired to bid on this great material."

Heritage Auction Galleries will hold their upcoming Signature auction on October 6 & 7, 2006, at their headquarters in Dallas, TX.

Martin Luther King Jr. Signed Letter to Sammy Davis Jr., Referencing the Selma to Montgomery Marches:
ESTIMATE: $6,000 & up

Martin Luther King Jr. Signed Letter to Sammy Davis Jr, Referencing the Play Kicks and Co.:
ESTIMATE: $5,000 & up

Sammy's Personal Hardbound "Ocean's Eleven" Photo Presentation Book:
ESTIMATE: $1,500 & up

Sammy's Personal "Laugh-In" Script:
ESTIMATE: $450 & up

Letters from Frank Sinatra to Sammy Davis Jr:
ESTIMATE: $500 & up

Sammy Davis Jr.'s NAACP Medal:
ESTIMATE: $600 & up

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of Entertainment, Celebrity or Hollywood memorabilia are invited to www.HA.com/Entertainment and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Doug Norwine at DougN@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HA.com to order by email.