An original signed contract for Otis Redding’s song “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” whereby he sells the publishing rights to the song to East Publications, Inc. (one of Stax’s publishing companies.) Redding agrees to be paid 5 cents per copy sold (the standard rate at the time) and 50% of revenue for sheet music, licenses and performance income. Dated May 19, 1965, it is autographed in black ink by Otis Redding (who signs with his legal name, Otis Redding, Jr.) The contract is signed on behalf of East Publications by Jim Stewart, the legendary founder of Stax Records (Stewart at the time he founded Stax was a bank teller; his sister and future partner, Estelle Axton mortgaged her house to buy Stax a tape recorder.) ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ was the B-Side of Redding’s single “Come To Me,” and appears on “Otis ! – The Complete Otis Redding” box set and “The Complete Stax/Volt Singles Collection.”  Authentic Otis Redding autographs are rare indeed; this original contract, signed by Redding (who died in 1967) and Stewart, is a truly museum quality collectible. As with everything we offer, this is guaranteed authentic with no time limit (in writing.)