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ANDY GRIFFITH SIGNATURE STUDY

I am starting this in hopes people will add their real Andy Griffith autographs and the Linke "secretarial" ones for comparison.  Since the death of Andy Griffith I have noticed a growing appreciation of the man and actor.  He was much more than just "Andy Taylor" his range from comedy to drama was great.  I suspect his popularity will increase partly because of TCM showing some of his dramatic and comic performances. 

In this study if you scroll down the comments you will find links to Andy Griffith's four appearances as a "Mystery Guest" on the television game show What's My Line? in 1958, 1959,1965 and 1967.  There are captures of his signature as he signed in below also. 

With Andy Griffith autographs it is not so much the forgeries, since the value has not quite reached the level to make it worthwhile, but "secretarial" signatures that are the problem.  The "secretary" generally was Richard O. Linke a producer who worked with Griffith for many years.  It is hoped that people will submit genuine autographs from checks or other sources as well as any "fake" ones.  The more there is for comparison the better our understanding of the nuances in his signature.

For many years the "Linke" autographs were considered real much in the same way that the "Challton Heston" signatures were.  An old respected collector many years ago told me that most of the Andy Griffith autographs were suspect.  At that time it was assumed a secretary was signing.  Based on what my friend told me I never actually owned an Andy Griffith autograph until I bought checks on eBay a few years ago!  The work that Gary Wedemeyer and Frank Johnson are doing to educate people on the subject of the "Linke" autographs is very valuable.  Like most TAGS collectors they have a great passion for the subject.  I would like to thank them for their efforts.

The first is the signature of a very young Andy Griffith at age 18.  This comes from the World War II draft registration form that was signed by Andy Griffith.  I have never seen an earlier example of his signature although no doubt some exist.    The original is in the National Archives so in a way this is an Andy Griffith autograph that we all own!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on May 29, 2015 at 8:47am

Here is an authentic Andy Griffith signature with his typical "Thank You" inscription on a non-character related portrait.  I really wanted a signed photograph of him looking as close to "Andy Taylor" as possible and I think this fits the bill nicely.  It is dated on the back "1977" and the image is likely a bit earlier than that.  The signature is typical of that time.   It is signed in red ink.  Griffith signed photographs rarely reflect any character he portrayed.  I think he probably disliked signing any "character" related material instead going with generic studio portraits.  This is from Golden Age Autographs.

Permalink Reply by Gary Wedemeyer on October 16, 2015 at 7:23am

It's a good one. Great price too!

Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on October 24, 2015 at 1:17am

Thanks Gary I had looked for quite a while to get an Andy Griffith photograph that was near the time he did the show.  I got this one from Tom at Golden Age Autographs.

Permalink Reply by Jason Strecker on March 7, 2016 at 12:22pm

I went to the Andy Griffith museum in North Carolina this past weekend. It was founded by a long time friend of Andy's so there's a lot of authentic memorabilia. There is a few signed photos, letters, postcards etc...bearing Andy's real signature but oddly enough there's a Linke ghost signed on a Face in the Crowd poster. Unfortunately it was signed by a few other cast members. I can't imagine such a big, important item being sent ttm to all the stars so my guess it was passed around and one requested Andy signed and Linke wound up signing for him. The authentic sigs in the museum are obviously for friends. There's a few checks too, and an old playbill which I'm guessing he signed originally during the play period.

There's also a Linke letter sent to someone and in the letter he mentions the AGS and wrote it with his Andy Griffith ghost signature. The museum is pretty small but it packs a lot in such a little building. It has a few pieces of original memorabilia and lots of pictures but the pictures are even pretty unique.

From reading this site and even seeing the stuff in the museum, it seems there's little signed after the 70s/early 80s. The latest sig, though, in the museum is a 2000s guest registry but I can't remember where it was from (I don't think just any hotel).

Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on March 8, 2016 at 2:36pm

That is great Jason.  I would love to visit there sometime.  Andy's signature became very shaky in later years.  It is a shame that the poster was signed by Richard O. Linke instead of Andy Griffith.  I always cringe when I see that signature on a really nice vintage item.

Permalink Reply by carl cripps on February 5, 2017 at 3:08am

frances bavier was my favourite  on andy griffith show..could be anybody's grandma....she has autographed the back of this photo and also put names of costars in play she was in....

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Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on February 5, 2017 at 12:42pm

I bet those are from her personal estate papers that were sold at auction after she died.  Fortunately, they sold off checks, and receipts she kept for her tax returns.  These are always interesting to find thank you for adding.

Permalink Reply by carl cripps on February 5, 2017 at 2:06pm

so glad i did also and thanks for the info which i did not know.....

Permalink Reply by Dale Stein on December 1, 2017 at 2:56pm

Actually had Miss Bavier's Studebaker registration that came from the estate sale. It was signed with her street address, Siler City, ect. Also a clipping from a local paper showing the car in the car port (or garage, memory ?) w/ 4 flat tires. Should have never sold it

Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on December 1, 2017 at 3:07pm

Wow that would have been great to have!  Her Studebaker was sold and restored. 

Permalink Reply by Dale Stein on December 1, 2017 at 3:45pm

Yup, I kick myself f/ selling it. (kick myself ALOT)

Permalink Reply by Dale Stein on December 1, 2017 at 4:22pm

Another great find, which I still have. A few years back I connected w/ a gentleman who stated he had worked f/ Don Pitts Talent Agency. I acquired Hal Smith's file with signed contracts, W2s ect. Also was Mel Blanc's file,signed contracts, W2s and 28 signed, uninscribed photos (the cardstock 8x10s of him at desk w/ characters) He stated Mel would sign and drop off, staff inscribed. June Foray, contracts ect, Jean VanDerPyle and  a manila envelope w/ 6 David Carradine signed 8x10s.

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