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Disney's Hollywood Studios

I have purchased a few Star Wars autographs from Tatooine Traders in Disney's Hollywood Studios that I am sure are authentic but someone has recently informed me that I should be cautious about purchasing in Walt Disney World.  The autographed photos are all from Michael Wehrmann as are all of the other autographs sold at the Studios.  There used to be an autograph store in Downtown Disney a few years ago that I did not trust and did not purchase from.  They did not carry Michael Wehrmann pieces.  Any thoughts?  Thanks for your opinions in advance. 

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on October 4, 2012 at 4:34pm

The one you didn't trust must have been Starabilias. Starabilias used to be in both Downtown Disneys, in Disneyland and Disney World. I went to the Starabilias at Disneyland several times and it was awash in ridiculous forgeries. Things like:

  • A Marilyn Monroe autograph on an inkjet printed photo.
  • A cabinet photo of Abraham Lincoln and son Robert signed rock star style in the left field by Lincoln in what looked like brown felt tip.
  • A Princess Diana signed hat.
  • A Churchill signed walking stick.
  • Godfather posters signed by everyone...including Brando.
  • A Daniel Boone signed canteen.
  • A photo of Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt in Yalta signed by all three.
  • And then they had stuff that was preposterous.

This really upset me, because I was looking for a fiddle signed by Nero and the original Ten Commandments, and they looked at me like I was crazy. 

Starabilias was started by Mitch Menaker, who owned Antiquities in Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas with his wife, Toby Stoffa, until they divorced 20 or so years ago. I heard he owned The Art of Music in Las Vegas, too, but I'm not sure that's accurate.

Suffice it to say that from my experience, you've got a better chance of finding Jimmy Hoffa's body than a genuine autograph from Starabilias.

Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on October 4, 2012 at 5:25pm

You are absolutely correct Steve.  The name of the store was Starabilias.  I remember it now.  It was a joke.  A Jaws poster signed by Spielberg and all major cast members including Robert Shaw in a blue Sharpie.  Only a moron would have purchased it.  I am once again amazed at your vast array of knowledge concerning this hobby.

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on October 4, 2012 at 5:31pm
I'll...ummm...take that poster off my wall tomorrow.
Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on October 4, 2012 at 5:55pm

That's funny Steve.

Permalink Reply by Rich on October 4, 2012 at 5:13pm

Great topic!  My first autograph I ever purchased was 17 years ago when I went to Hollywood Studios (then Disney-MGM).  It was a David Letterman framed 8x10 from Sid Cahuenga's One of a Kind, which continues to operate.  Years later, I started wondering who ran these stores and how efficient they were as far authenticity.  Last time I looked in Sid's (2009, 2011), it seemed like they had some pretty good, authentic stuff.  Painfully overpriced as usual, but what do you expect - it's Disney.

Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on October 4, 2012 at 5:32pm

Sid's is still there Rich.  The signatures that I am most familiar with looked good to me when I visited in July.  Is your Letterman piece from Michael Wehrmann?  That is all that Disney seems to sell now.

Permalink Reply by Rich on October 4, 2012 at 5:37pm

I never saw any mention of Wehrmann, unless there was some marking I missed.  Seemed like at one point they might have been buying from Star Shots, but I could be wrong on that.

That store was essentially my introduction to autographs.  I'd never seen any sort of collection like that before and was immediately sucked in.

Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on October 4, 2012 at 5:54pm

Very cool.  That's exactly how I felt the day that I entered the Kenneth W. Rendell Gallery.  Although I couldn't afford to purchase any of their inventory I was amazed that such historic pieces were available to be purchased by private individuals.  They were selling an Edgar Allan Poe letter back then and when I returned a month later it was gone.  Sold at a show.  At least I got to see his signature up close.  Awesome.

Permalink Reply by JXE on October 5, 2012 at 5:42pm

The past two times I've been their Sid's shop was 100% Michael Wehrmann stock and everything there looked 100% legit to me. Overpriced, though. I picked up a nice Eva Green photo while I was there this summer, though. It had a full signature like she hasn't signed in a while. 

Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on October 5, 2012 at 6:58pm

Thanks JXE.

Permalink Reply by DB on October 5, 2012 at 5:53pm

talk about a blast from the past... did anyone ever recover anything from Starabilias when they cut in run n 2009 as I recall?

 

but Sids.  is it still there?

Permalink Reply by Rich on October 5, 2012 at 6:04pm

Sid's was there went I went last year.  

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