ARCHIVES
I was not permitted to photocopy or scan the original contract, but I was permitted to transcribe it for non-commercial, educational purposes only.
The purpose of this contract was to supplement Murray's July 1, 1920 Victor contract regarding his travels with the Eight Popular Victor Artists. He was to be absent during the month of January 1922, and as stated, may not be available in February of 1922 either (although he was back in time for his February 17, 1922 session with Aileen Stanley).
Victor granted Murray permission to travel to the Pacific Coast, but denied him his $1,250 payment for January. It further strictly states that he was not allowed to book any concert engagements that would make him absent for over a month without written permission from Victor.
Below is a complete transcription of the agreement, dated December 23, 1921—the same day he recorded "I'll Be Glad to Get Back to My Home Town" with the American Quartet:
AN AGREEMENT made the Twenty Third day of December, A. D., 1921, by and between VICTOR TALKING MACHINE COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey, United States of America, having its principal place of business in the City of Camden, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, hereinafter called the Victor Company, of the one part, and WILLIAM MURRAY (professionally known also as Billy Murray), of New York City, in the State of New York, hereinafter called the Artist, of the other part.
WHEREAS the parties hereto heretofore made an agreement dated the first day of July, 1920, for a period extending to and including the first day of July, 1925, in which the Victor Company agreed to pay the Artist a salary therein specified and the Artist agreed that during such period on not less than six days in each month he would come to the recording laboratory of the Victor Company and, for the purpose of making complete, perfect and approved master records of his voice, he would sing selections of solos and concerted numbers, the selections to be chosen by an authorized representative of the Victor Company.
AND WHEREAS the Artist now desires to make a concert tour to the Pacific Coast which will make his services unavailable to the Victor Company for the month of January, 1922, and possibly for the month of February, 1922.
Now in consideration of the several provisions hereinafter contained, it is hereby agreed between the parties hereto, as follows:
1. The Victor Company grants permission to the Artist to be absent from the recording laboratory for the months of January and February 1922.
2. The Victor Company will deduct from the annual salary so specified in said agreement one-twelfth part thereof for the month of January, 1922 and if the Artist does not return in time to give to the Victor Company in the month of February, 1922, the six days' services so provided for, the Victor Company will deduct another one-twelfth part of said annual salary.
3. The Artist will not at any future time prior to July 1, 1925, book concert engagements which will take him away and make his services unavailable to the Victor Company in any month without permission in writing from the Victor Company.
4. The deduction of a proportionate part of the Artist's salary shall in no way alter or affect the other covenants, terms and conditions set forth in the said agreement dated July 1, 1920, which agreement, as supplemented by this agreement, is hereby ratified and confirmed. The said agreement dated July 1, 1920 and this supplemental agreement are to be construed and their validity determined according to the laws of the State of New Jersey.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands and seals dated the day and year first above written.
VICTOR TALKING MACHINE COMPANY (SEAL)
BY
Edward K. MacEwan, Secretary
Billy Murray (SEAL)
