Bernard D. Hanighen contract and debt-forgiveness letter, 21 June 1956

Typescript contract and debt-forgiveness letter between Bernard D. Hanighen and Commander Publications (signed by Johnny Mercer for Commander Publications) assigning copyright of seven songs co-written with Mercer to Commander Publications. The contract is effective for 28 years beginning June 21, 1956. Payment to Hanighen was $3,500, not "considered an advance against any royalties payable with respect to the aforesaid renewal copyrights." The contract instructs Hanighen to draw a will binding his heirs and estate to renew the copyright and assign it to Commander Publications under the same terms and for the balance of the 28 years. Debt-forgiveness letter addressed to Hanighen at the Hotel Marseilles in New York, the letter states, "As consideration for your entering into two separate agreements dated June 21, 1956, with Commander Publications of all your right, title and interest in renewal copyrights of the musical compositions set forth in the Schedule A annexed to said agreements, I agree that your indebtedness to me in the sum of $1250. Shall be deemed to be discharged and cancelled [. . .]."

CONTRACT: 1st leaf. Contract, addressed to Mr. Bernard D. Hanighen; Hotel Marseilles; Broadway & 103rd Street; New York, N.Y.. Dated originally "May" 1956. "May crossed through, and June 21 substituted in manuscript. Signed by Bernard D. Hanighan and "Commander Publications, by John H. Mercer." 2nd leaf. Notarized May 31, 1956. 3rd leaf. "Schedule A" List of songs: "Weekend of a Private Secretary" by Mercer and Hanighen; "Bob White" by Mercer and Hanighen; "Fare Thee Well to Harlem" by Mercer and Hanighen; "The Dixieland Band" by Mercer and Hanighen; "The Air-Minded Executive" by Mercer and Hanighen; "When a Woman Loves a Man" by Mercer, Gordon Jenkins, and Hanighen; "Here Come the British" by Mercer and Hanighen. List is initialed "B.D.H." and "J.H.M." 4th leaf: "Schedule B" is a paragraph instructing the executor Hanighen's estate to renew copyrights for the seven songs and to assign those rights to Commander Publications. Signed by Hanighen and initialed by Mercer.