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Judy Garland Authentic 1954 Vintage Fountain Pen Signature, 1960 & 1965 Ballpoint Signatures with C. 1961 Fan Club Autopen

Hello All,

Here are some scans I came across of some vintage Judy Garland signatures I used to have. This also a decent sample of some of her signing styles over the years.

The first is a signed "TV candid" from the Grace Cunningham Collection of TV Candids showing Garland, according to Scott Schecter who worked with Liza, during the second broadcast premiere of The Man with the Golden Arm. Blue fountain pen. Typical elongated letters, "y", "g" and "d" of the period. That is Grace's "X" in ballpoint showing where to sign. My goal was something close to A Star is Born of the same year.

The next is the song list from a complete program from 1960, signed in ball point with a signature typical of this period with the in person extreme slant and now typical "d' form - seen even in the Autpen below. This was my favorite example - clean and strong.

The next item is a program from Canada, Saturday, 2.13.65, matinee. Signed on the same image below, but a printed version, by Garland and also then husband Mark Herron. This is rather late and legible for Garland. Loose but well formed with an even lighter than usual hand, by 1968 more of a scribble.

Last is her C. 1961 Fan Club 5x7 photograph which I have seen sell as hand signed more times than I care to say. Under a glass the jagged nature of all curves is readily apparent. i have seen this in both blue and black with varied placement. I value these, with envelope and letter, at $50 to a collector. A detail of the signature is proved - I wish I had a larger scan to show the jagged curves - they are very visible with a glass or scanner.

Detail of Autopen signature:

I hope this is useful.

Eric

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Very nice, Eric. Judy had many variations over the years. 

http://thecead.com/

They are a good resource for her signature as well.

Thanks Joe. She did have several styles. I wish I still had the 1960 program.

Eric

That's the way active collections go. Wish I had what I owned 20 years ago. The prices are so much higher now. If we only knew.

That's the problem, you never know how valuable items are going to become in the future. 

If the value of the Hollywood legends in the pass don't maintain their value or up higher then current stars will do no better in the long term either. There are fewer buyers of the older material but still pay good money for the best examples. The difference is 15 years ago a person could purchase a decent Garland for $200 or less. I really can't find any at that price today. But, people are asking $400 - $1,000+ for an Eastwood or other similar star of today. What's the odds of Eastwood selling for double that in the near future? Maybe, but not good.

Hi Robin,

It's not the money so much - those were very inexpensive. The candid was $68 and the others under $200 each on eBay. It is the strength of the second example that I miss. As for these, they are never scarce but always valuable and of course, often forged.

Eric

I guess I must be in a tiny minority who believes that money consideration counts. Unless folks have money to burn, I have a hard time believe someone will spend big money on anything and not think twice of it's value; now and future. Collecting is something someone does because they are interested in the hunt and authenticity. But, money matters as well.

Hi Robin & Joe,

It seems to not work in a logical way - there are so many factors, what was signed, when, now, with what, scarcity of item, signature, desirability....but it seems wrong that some modern stars ore bringing in more then the old time true stars of yesteryear. But, more people seem to know who Grant Bowler is than Richard Burton. It's so hard - is a nice Bette Davis SP really worth 2-3 fair Crawford letters? That is why I try to get unique stuff - the price won't be cookie cutter should I sell.

Eric

I agree that stars of yesteryear should command more than stars of nowadays as for me, they were the legends of, to give an example, cinema etc. Nowadays, for me, cinema has lost its magic due to inferiority in the way films are made.

Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of good films out there and actors, still, but they'll not match the greats of years past. 

I agree Eric. Uniqueness plays a major role, both in personal and financial satisfaction. I, in no way, think something should be purchased simply for the monetary value. But, it's hard to believe an intelligent, hard working person would not consider it when making a decision concerning money for any reason. I think it's so cool when you purchase something and have that pride of ownership and, if or when, it comes time to sell, you make a dollar or two or, at least, break even.

Totally agree with what you say here, Joe. Absolutely 100%, but I only see the monetary value as a backup in case anything goes wrong personally in terms of finances but apart from that, its the sheer pleasure of collecting. 

If I had the bank give me a loan to chalk up every autograph known to man as a challenge, i'd take it in a heartbeat as I love autograph collecting. Unfortunately, money will always hold me back. I would like to move into business with autograph collecting or something I really enjoy because, as I say, I wouldn't want to find myself in a job I dislike and find myself wasting away over something that has no true future potential.

I only see autographs as a financial option if I become in debt and I see no other option to making money. 

Recently, I was going to sell off my collection but finances improved as my parents and I came to an arrangement as I do not have a job! Hunting for one is a painstaking, demoralising process as well and I feel for those in a similar position. 

So therefore, autograph collecting, if done correctly, can have benefits - it might not see you financially solvent for long, but it would be a start toward something else. I mean, if I sold off my collection now, it might allow me to think about putting money toward setting up my own business or something along those lines but I'd want to make sure I go into a new job that I enjoy. I wouldn't want to wither away behind a desk in which there was no scope for success.

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