1629. THE HONEYMOONERS - ART CARNEY & JACKIE GLEASON Outstanding D.S. "Art Carney", 9pp. 4to., New York, Aug. 25, 1952, being his original nine page contract with Jackie Gleason Enterprises; additionally initialed by Carney at bottom left of each page. JACKIE GLEASON has initialed "J.G." in pencil on both first and last page. The contract binds Carney to "perform...personal services as directed by you as a performer on the television program series entitled `THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW'... I will appear in the programs hereunder and devote my best talents, efforts and abilities in connections with the programs... I will not make any ad lib remarks or comments on or furnish any material for use on or in connection with any program hereunder which shall reflect adversely..." When Gleason left the Dumont network to join the CBS in 1952 he immediately asked Carney to join him. By this point the two had fully developed their characters for "The Honeymooners", and their brilliant chemistry was already well-known. The contract agrees to pay Carney $750.00 and episode, a substantial raise over what he was earning at Dumont. This important contract is discussed in detail in Gleason's 1992 biography The Great One and in Carney's own words: "When Gleason got the CBS deal, he came right up to me and said `I just want you to know that I want you to come with me for... Well, I don't like to talk about money, but he named a very nice sum..." Sold with an 8" x 10" b/w photo re-print of Gleason and Carney in character from "The Honeymooners" signed by both. Gleason's signature is a bit smudged, but remains very legible. Also, an original button measuring 1" in diameter, issued by CBS featuring Gleason in his trademark plaid suit doing his shuffle and captioned "AND AW-A-AY WE GO". Three items, in good condition. $1,200-1,500