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Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach

Hey all,

I am trying to familiarize myself with the autographs of Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach. If anyone has exemplars from his/her personal collection that he wouldn't mind sharing it would be greatly appreciated!

Here is one example that I have found that seems good to me-

Apparently, the Eli Wallach above was purchased from a collection; which this piece is claimed to be a TTM. Anyone know if Wallach had a secretary/auto-pen sign for him?

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Permalink Reply by Brandon Mysinger on September 5, 2012 at 3:32am

I have one Van Cleef ( a very tough autograph to find ). From an old western. I will try to post it tonight. It took me years to track down.

I have a few Eli Wallach's too from his Batman days.

The big money Van Cleefs are signed photos from 'The Master' and any of his Eastwood Western photos.

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Permalink Reply by Mike P on September 5, 2012 at 11:32am

Thanks.for the reply Brandon. I agree, lee is a very tough autograph to find. I am a big "spaghetti western" fan, and I know a pictures signed from one of those westerns either costs a ton or more often than not are fake due to.scarcity. Do you think the one I posted above fits the bill with yours or is it bad in your opinion? I appreciate it.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Missinne on November 1, 2012 at 6:57am

I'd like to relate a story told me by the daughter of the late owner of a large national 16mm rental firm. A man named Joe Claire (not sure spelling) was the sales manager for AAP, which released Bugs Bunny cartoons and other films to TV, rentals, and home movies; and was a friend of her father's. Apparently Mr. Claire was a perfect look-alike for Eli Wallach, and was constantly asked for Wallach's autograph. People would turn hostile when he tried to explain that he wasn't Wallach!

Eventually he just got tired of it, and would just smile, shake their hand, and sign "Eli Wallach!" So there may be some Eli Wallachs out there (probably more likely in books than on photos, etc.) that are actually genuine Joe Claires...

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Permalink Reply by Mike P on November 1, 2012 at 10:20am

Wow that's hysterical! Thanks for sharing!

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Permalink Reply by Rich on November 1, 2012 at 8:32am

I'll try to post examples soon - I got Eli Wallach TTM in the late 90's. He signed a Good, The Bad & The Ugly CD cover and also sent me a small signed photo (as Tuco in a noose) to me and even wrote a short note about a movie he was filming at the time and how he was still acting in plays.

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Permalink Reply by Mike P on November 1, 2012 at 10:20am

Much appreciated Rich!

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Permalink Reply by Rich on November 1, 2012 at 10:31am

I just noticed - he sent me that same photo pictured above (I think it's perhaps 4 x 6). I think we can rule out autopen, as the three signatures I received were certainly not identical, plus the note was decidedly written entirely by hand.