James Stewart, letter from 1993

When I was a teenager (in either 1992 or 1993), I got it into my head to write James Stewart a heartfelt letter as he was and is my favorite actor. I'd read that he had a reputation for replying to fan mail, so I figured "what the heck." 

I was thrilled to my core when I received this letter in response -- https://imgur.com/a/A8EXroQ -- 

 -- and it's a prized possession. 

However, it occurred to me late tonight that it could possibly be secretarial? (Cue my anxiety). He was in his mid-80s in 1993, after all. I'm curious if anyone has any opinions. 

Edit: added Imgur link with corrected orientation 

Edit: typo

Thanks in advance.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JK on December 30, 2025 at 11:06am

The photo really should just be uploaded here.

Permalink Reply by JK on December 30, 2025 at 11:12am

JS signed tons of stuff TTM.  There apparently were some small photos that his office sent out that were secretarial signed, but mostly he was authentic as far as I know.  I guess a confirmation of what his secretarial signatures looked like is in order.

In his last year or so of his life his office did send out autopenned 8x10s.

Here is my James Stewart prized memento:

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 30, 2025 at 12:25pm

Here is a secretarial signature from Steve Zarelli's study. It appears perhaps the same hand. 

Here is a link:

Jimmy Stewart Signature Study by Steve Zarelli

Permalink Reply by Colin Ryono on December 30, 2025 at 12:31pm

What are the factors that make you think the secretarial autograph on the photo and mine are the same? I am not trying to argue, just educate myself. 

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 30, 2025 at 12:44pm

Hello,

Just the presentation. The "ames" - but this is not my strong suit. I have not seen Steve here in a while. I imagine he can be contacted through SWAU or Zarelli Space Authentication.

Permalink Reply by Colin Ryono on December 30, 2025 at 12:47pm

Does he run SWAU? Prior to starting this thread, I sent it to SWAU for an online evaluation. 

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 30, 2025 at 12:53pm

You did not hear back from them? I do not use any authentication companies. I am working from memory. Using the Search Engine here might help.

Permalink Reply by Colin Ryono on December 30, 2025 at 12:54pm

Not yet. I just sent an email to Mr. Zarelli, though. 

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 30, 2025 at 1:12pm

I'm sure you will hear back. I wish I could help more - were this Gleason or Bowie etc. I would. Do let us know what you hear back.

Permalink Reply by Colin Ryono on December 30, 2025 at 1:17pm

Is Steve Zarelli associated with SWAU? I ask because I don't know if I should submit a 2nd evaluation request through Mr. Zarelli's site?

Permalink Reply by JK on December 30, 2025 at 1:25pm

Steve and presumably SWAU offer authentication services for a fee.  If you are asking them for a free evaluation/authentication then I'm not sure what sort of reply, if any, that you'll get.  

Steve specializes in space autographs so maybe he'd offer some courtesy feedback on the Jimmy Stewart.  

I really want your letter to be real, but I will admit that the smoothness of it was a little concerning to me.  

Permalink Reply by Colin Ryono on December 30, 2025 at 7:53pm

I wish I could get in touch with this person who replied with in a long 2011 thread with this interesting factoid:

"Also he did not have a secretary signer. His secretary Claire Preist [sic] confirmed this with me many years ago. Also, he said on Johnny Carson in the late 80's no one else signed his autograph requests and he signed all them personally every day. He was known to briefly use an autopen machine after his stroke in mid 90's." 

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