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Jim Morrison of The Doors Exclusively on Elextra Records Signed Promotional Head Shot

Jim Morrison of The Doors Exclusively on Elextra Records Signed Promotional Head Shot
Posted by Matty Mich on November 4, 2018 at 8:41am in Music Autographs & MemorabiliaView Discussions
Jim Morrison Fans -----

It's time to share this photo with the world. Apparently very few people even know this exists. First, I was surprised to learn the low number of authentic Jim Morrison autographs, cutouts-photos-anything- in the wild (300 +-). Second, I sorta expected to see some sort of version of this promotional head shot photograph elsewhere over the past 20 years. NOTHING! I would love to have some fun with this autograph community and encourage a healthy discussion. Let me open the DOOR; I will say this came with the concert program (California show). Unfortunately, while in college I had a debt to be paid and my friend got extremely lucky receiving the program instead of cash money. The program is long gone and hopefully it is sitting in a good home. I do not remember (yet) the location or the year of the concert and I so WISH I still had that item. The value would be incredible due to confirmation and authenticity with time and location. If I saw a copy of a program, I will be able to remember and fill in the blanks (Location, Venue, Date......) Any direction for this type of material to view would be greatly appreciated. This will allow me to share with all interested fans.

I am curious what everyone thinks and what they know about this Item. I may even consider putting it up for sale but am not ready to put a price on it yet if at all. Like anything, it’s worth what someone is willing to pay for as well as what it takes to get it out of my extensive, precious Rock n Roll Collection.

Enough from me now, I will enjoy sharing information with everyone over the next few weeks. I encourage everyone to post their opinion, questions and comments. Everyone is welcome to chime in on this one.

IMG_20181104_082307996.jpg    

Sincerely, Matty

Tags: 301, Autograph, Concert, Headshot, Jim, Morrison, Original, Photo, Rare, Unique

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Matty,

Thanks for posting this! I've never seen one of these before. Can you post a sharp, hi-res image please? This one's a bit fuzzy. Thanks

It's a highly unusual example and the "ORRI" is very atypical. However, the "SO" portion looks very much how he structured these letters in his signature. Below is a comparison of the "SO" in the item in question to one that is clearly authentic. With that being said, i'm not sure it's enough to say it's 100% authentic. If one was in the market for a JDM signature, I personally wouldn't buy it and would simply wait for one that is clearly authentic.

undefinedIMG_20181104_082315074.jpg IMG_20181104_165021188_HDR.jpg

Here is my best attempt to send three new photos.  I will try again tomorrow in natural light.  The quality is probably just okay.  The lighting is poor because it is getting dark in Pittsburgh.  If they do not show up well this evening, I will try again tomorrow in daylight.  My computer and photography skills are lackluster at best.   

I appreciate everyone participating in this conversation.  I am learning a great deal and I can't thank everyone enough for their knowledge, research and opinion.  

Matty

Thanks, Matty. Please, if you can take some closeups of the autograph tomorrow.  the camera at a bit of an angle, and the light if possible. High resolution as you can if you don't mind. 

You'll be helping our members good on The Doors research these SPs. Thanks

New High Resolution Images x 2 Entire Photo also Autograph Closeup 

11_5_18%206_17%20PM%20Office%20Lens.jpg    

11_5_18%206_23%20PM%20Office%20Lens.jpg

I hope this one is better.  I will resubmit if necessary, no problem.  Again, I thank EVERYONE for their expertise and comments as all are welcome.

Matty

I don't profess to know anything much about Morrison's signature but I'm curious as to the photo itself. Somehow it looks to have an odd surface for a 60s/70s 10"x8" promo - like a pearl finish. It also seems to have been through the wars. Perhaps it wasn't always in the programme you bought it with.

From the images it seems to have been framed at one time - the outer border not being discoloured, though it is a little odd that it also has the remnants of sticky tape to the front and what look like pin holes.

Perhaps the strange photo surface and surface loss resulted from it being framed directly under glass (i.e. not using a mount) in a place with big temperature swings or high humidity.

Thanks for your input PUG!  Very astute in your observations.  The photo is a 4 x 5 inch portrait.   I am no expert in photography (2 years in High School) but i know back in 1984 you could purchase ANY photography paper that suited your fancy; Gloss both high and no, matte, satin, professional, cheep thin, thick.... I can't think of more but I am positive it was out there at the time.  I am saying the photography paper is not unusual to myself.  It is basically on the thick side almost "Card Stock".

As far as the photo being through the ringer, It WAS!  Everything you described appears to be more or less true; Thumbtack, Tape both on front edges and some glue on the back.  It looks like something I would have done, put it up in every new room/apartment i move into as a young man (and that was plenty of different places).  I would have shown it to everyone I knew and I am sure it was handled by everyone from girlfriends to guerrillas with little respect for the rarity of the signature.  There was no internet then, no way to see or learn how rare it may be or become.  Think Baseball Cards for kids, bike rims, 52 pick-up......    Picture Frame.... yes/no/yes/no  currently YES!  And finally it was found in the concert program that (I am truly guessing) it MAY HAVE be signed at.  Surprisingly the concert program was an 8 out of 10 for quality, no tears or creases that I remember.  

I have no real back story except when I found it, I put it in a little frame to protect it.  I left in for years until last week when I decided to photograph it and post it for everyone to enjoy.   I had never seen this image so I felt obligated to share it with all of the other Doors Fans.  All in All it is in pretty decent shape for being almost 50 years old.  I am just glad it actually exists and I have it.  Im not at all concerned about how imperfect it is.  I like it just the way it is, as it shows a history Jim would have appreciated.  Used hard and enjoyed, shared with the world now!  I hope everyone is getting a Kick out of it.    HOLLY MOLLY as a man once said!

I hope this answers your questions.              Matty

One more thought on a forgery.  If you look at all of the other band members they signed in the "White or Light" area of the photo.  Morrison signed in the "Black" area.  If I was forging something, wouldn't I want my signature to stand out visually so that I can get the most dollar value value out of the item when sold?  Or would it be the opposite so you can't easily see my blunders in the forgery????    If I was signing the photograph as a rock star, would I even care if you could see my signature. Or lastly I'm overthinking this and it was the only place to sign the headshot as it was a 4 X 5 inch piece of paper and that also was the only stable way to hold it as I sign?   I don't have a clue, no idea whatsoever and thats why I ask.  You guys know the answer to this one as you see it every day.          Matty

Hi Matty,

Thanks for your comprehensive response to my humble input. 4"x5" is an odd size for a promo photo. Thick paper stock would be atypical too.

I don't suppose Ballroom knows what the size and paper stock of the examples he posted were.

On thickness it can be very subjective.  What I consider thick or card stock may differ than everyone else.  I don't own calipers so.... Any way to measure it that you know of?     I MAY have an app for that

...... Suggestions are welcome

The Doors are my favorite band. I know a lot about their signatures. This looks great to me.

Second example from OP and second example from Ballroom match - same item or preprint - shown in overlay:

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