United Artists Theatre Circuit, Inc. Transfer Signed by Mary Pickford Rogers - 1956 dated Autographed Stock Certificate

Temporary Stock Certificate made out to Mary Pickford Rogers. Signature on Transfer along with signed portrait and holed cardboard in Mary Pickford Studios envelope.

Mary Pickford (1893-1979), Born Gladys Louise Smith in 1892, emerged from a childhood of poverty in Toronto to become “America’s Sweetheart” and the most influential woman in early Hollywood. Her acting career commenced as a child to support her family, eventually attracting the attention of film pioneer D.W. Griffith. Renowned for her signature golden curls and exceptional ability to portray both spirited children and resilient young women, Pickford became the inaugural global film icon. She pioneered the naturalistic acting style, transitioning from the exaggerated gestures of the stage to mastering the subtleties of the camera. This achievement earned her the second Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Coquette (1929).

Beyond her captivating onscreen presence, Pickford was a formidable businesswoman and a visionary who transformed the film industry. In 1919, she co-founded United Artists alongside Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith, a move that empowered actors to take control of their own interests and financial affairs. Additionally, she was a founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a skilled producer who meticulously oversaw every facet of her films, from casting to film editing. Although her acting career declined with the advent of the silent era, her legacy as a pioneering entrepreneur and philanthropist persists, as she paved the way for the contemporary “star-producer” model that defines Hollywood today.