Christopher Reeve Authentic?

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum, but since finding it, I feel like I am starting to learn a lot. Thank you so much! I was wondering if you might be able to help me authenticate this Christopher Reeve autograph? I want to preface this by saying I have not had a reason to doubt Shawn Blanchette from "A Wrinkle in Time (AWIT)" but for piece of mind would appreciate any information that can be given. Here is what I know to this point...

I met Shawn at a one of the Creation Cons in Chicago in 2010 and asked if they had a Christopher Reeve autograph. She said she did in her personal collection and as we continued talking I asked if she was associated with the UACC and she said she used to be (don't remember if just a member or a dealer) and then we started talking about authenticating services such as PSA/DNA, JSA, etc. which she didn't seem to be a fan of due to the potential margin of error.

After the convention she contacted me with information about this autograph that she said she received in-person on May 26, 1993 at the El Capitan theater during the premiere of "Life with Mikey". I tried to do my homework but I couldn't find any information to confirm or deny. The closest I found was the premiere would've been close to that time and of course the time period was before Reeve's accident. I know this is a dumb thought, but, this information, her being a dealer at a reputable con with asking $500, my limited knowledge of his signature, and a nice frame with paper backing, double mat, etc. it seemed to be potentially authentic. I know the frame doesn't matter but my initial thought was, "Why would someone spend a decent amount of money (including Superman colors for the double mat) if it wasn't authentic?" Sorry, I know I am sounding dumb right now...

Again I am not trying to question the dealer, in fact, I have bought other items from her since but since this the center of my Superman collection I just want to get your expert opinion. Also, if in your expert opinion you believe it to be real, how do I check the mat to make sure it is acid free and verify that the glass is UV resistant. Thank you for your time and I am sorry about this extremely long-winded question.

Tags: AWIT, Blanchette, Christopher, Reeve, Superman

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on May 25, 2015 at 4:47am

Honestly, I don't think it's genuine. IMO.

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Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on May 25, 2015 at 8:55am

Bradford's opinion is the one you want, he has put in the time learning all the varieties of Reeve's signature. This piece does not fit among the authentic samples that I know about.

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Permalink Reply by Jarrod McDevitt on May 25, 2015 at 10:01am

Thanks guys for your insight! I, also, sent Bradford a message. If mine isn't authentic, I would be in need of a new one. What do you think about this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Christopher-Reeve-SUPERMAN-Person-Autographed...

I have heard of Ed Bedrick as a very reputable dealer. I asked him for some history about this autograph and told him I might be interested.

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Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on May 25, 2015 at 10:50am

Ed does have a great reputation, but that piece is a bit of a pipe dream. By the time color images of Reeve as Superman were available for the public to purchase and get signed, Reeve's signature had already dwindled quite a bit.

Sorry for the poor images but it's all I have on this computer. This was Reeve pre-Superman

Yeah I know the Superman image was added to the card at a later date.

This was Reeve by 1978....

and by 1980...

The combo of the "tph" remained pretty standard for the remaining days that he signed. As did the shape of the R into the first e.

A pretty color 8x10 of Reeve as Superman, authentic & uninscrubed would run you far more than $450.

These following samples are what you can expect to pay $300-$400 for.... all recently available on ebay etc.

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Permalink Reply by Jarrod McDevitt on May 25, 2015 at 11:15am

I appreciate all the information. It is helping so much!! I will continue searching for his autograph but is it possible to point me in the direction of certain dealers that I might ask if they have one. I am in desperate need to find one at this point. Sorry, I don't want to take up any more of your time. Thanks again for all your help it is helping me to understand what to look for in his signature!

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Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on May 25, 2015 at 11:25am

It has been so long since Reeve was able to put pen to paper that I am not aware of any dealer that has anything in stock. It is more of a waiting game now, when a collector passes away and his collection goes to market, or if a long time collector has financial problems and is forced to sell something. There isn't anything just sitting out there waiting to be bought.

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Permalink Reply by Jarrod McDevitt on May 25, 2015 at 11:32am

That is what I was afraid of. Thank you so much for taking the time to share all this information with me. It has taught me a lot.

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on May 25, 2015 at 11:32am

Here's a good dealer with 3 in stock at reasonable prices.

http://www.goldenageautographs.com/vintage.html

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Permalink Reply by Jarrod McDevitt on May 25, 2015 at 11:52am

Thanks! Those are very low prices compared to what I thought. I was thinking $450-$1400 depending... The combo "tph" and the "R" into the "e" seems right but I am still learning. What should I ask to try and authenticate any of them or if you guys think they are authentic then that is good enough for this newb. Sorry, I am still learning. Oh, should it be a red flag if the name inscribed is in a different color or not really? Thanks again for the link...

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on May 25, 2015 at 12:01pm

I believe Reeve may have had his secretary do the inscription portion. Not sure. But the signature is in his own hand.

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Permalink Reply by Bradford on May 26, 2015 at 7:31am

Pete is correct regarding the info he shared about the particular autographs. Though Reeve's autograph did seem to dwindle over the years, his only and last official signing came at Dixie Trek in 1994 which proved otherwise. The Superman the Movie program that was personalized to Mike was autographed at that show. It is a much later signature and yet happens to be some of his best and most full signatures that he ever signed. In my study, I found that later signatures don't always result in diminished signatures.