An extremely rare original 1966 copy of Cream’s recording contract with manager Robert Stigwood.  This would have come from either a band member or their management or legal representatives.  This eight page recording agreement details the band’s (here called “The Cream”) record deal with the Robert Stigwood Organization.  Stigwood was Cream’s manager; in the 1960’s savvy managers would sign acts to their own production company, fund the recording sessions and lease the recordings to a record label (allowing them to double dip on royalties.)

Stigwood here agrees to pay the band members–identified by their legal names, Eric Patrick Clapton, John Symon Asher Bruce and Peter Edward Baker–5% of the retail price of records sold in the UK  (calculated, as typical of the time, on only on 85% of total sales,) 4% for sales outside the UK, and 2 1/2% of record club sales (record companies–even those run by artist managers–never missed a trick.)

The eight page contract includes the signatures of the band members over a postage stamp, as typical of the time.  It is signed by David Shaw on behalf of the Stigwood Organization.  The signed original contract would likely been retained in Stigwood’s files, and copies like this made for the band members and their lawyer(s.)  In overall very good condition, with some rust surrounding the four staples, and the signature page detached.  A historic look into the inner workings of rock’s first “supergroup.” (Just to be clear, the signatures here are reproduced; a copy with original signatures would likely command in excess of $10,000.)