14" x 8.5". This lot includes two contracts, both dated January 24th, 1947. Both contracts are in reference to the copyright for the song "The Beautiful Indians." Al Sears joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1944 as a tenor saxophonist and quickly became one of his best-known soloists. The first version bears the signatures of Duke Ellington and Al Sears. The signature page is detached from the rest of the contract, one staple is missing, the paper is weathered and there is some wear along the edges. The second contract has significant more damage to the pages with small pieces missing on each page at the bottom, the third page is detached, and the signature page is missing.

Paper loss, tearing, and creasing along the edges of both documents. Significant paper loss (2") in upper right corner of one of the documents. Third pages of both documents are detached , one of the documents missing a staple altogether.