FETCHIT, STEPIN SIGNED LETTER (1965 TO GORDON DAVIDSON-LOUISVILLE SPONSORING GROUP)

Stepin Fetchit (May 30, 1902 – November 19, 1985) was the stage name of American comedian and film actor Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry. Perry parlayed the Fetchit persona into a successful film career, eventually becoming a millionaire, the first black actor in history to do so. He was also the first black actor to receive a screen credit. Perry's typical film persona and stage name have long been controversial, and seen as illustrative of negative stereotypes of African-Americans. Seen through a modern lens, Perry's "laziest man in the world" character can be "painfully racist" but also "subversive. Perry reportedly converted to Islam in the 1960s and became a friend and advisor of heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, particularly in Ali's second fight with Sonny Liston in 1965. Offered here is a one typed letter signed by Stepin Fetchit which he sent to Gordon Davidson of the Louisville Sponsoring Group, Ali's first management group. Dated May 1, 1965.
This is an original, one page, typed letter. Bold type. Clean. Bold signature of Stepin Fetchit in black felt tip pen. Has some wear on edges. Slight foxing from age. A scarce signature, particularly with boxing content as this refers to the press kit initially used for the second fight. 8 1/2" x 11."