RETA SHAW AUTOGRAPHS

RETA SHAW (1912-1982) was a wonderful character actress who often played tough domineering women. She was in such movies as Mary Poppins, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, and Picnic. Best known on television in shows such as Bewitched, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, The Odd Couple, and two episodes of The Andy Griffith Show among many others.

The original title of this article was "RETA SHAW Autographed Photograph Sells for a Remarkable Price!" I have decided to change it to "Reta Shaw Autographs" to add material not related to the original topic. All of the previous comments are untouched. I thought it best to have one discussion about Reta Shaw rather than putting a new one up every time something caught my eye. Recently some major collections have come to light and added a tiny handful of authentic and nice Shaw autographs to the market. Most have been sold. There will be shown a pre-print of a Reta Shaw photograph that no doubt is from her time as the popular housekeeper in the television version of "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir."

She is a very scarce autograph in any form. An 8x10 b/w signed photograph recently sold on eBay. I was quite amazed although it is a very nice photograph and authentic in every way the amount was surprising. I figured it would be in the $100-$200 range but the final auction price was $400! Two very intense buyers were vying for the vintage photograph signed in 1967. The original collector was Rita Corriveau who usually wrote where she sent for the autograph and the date. This will make a very nice addition to the winner's collection, and I congratulate them.

Tags: Reta, Shaw

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gary Wedemeyer on February 7, 2017 at 8:09am

I saw that on eBay. I had a nice album page signature from her on my site for $90 that sold over the weekend. I'm guessing my buyer was bidding on that Reta Shaw signed photo and the price got too high for him!

Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on February 7, 2017 at 4:15pm

Thank you Gary that is a great vintage album page I have one in green ink from the 1950s when she was doing the play "Picnic."

Permalink Reply by Tim Henderson on February 10, 2017 at 6:35am

I was floored by the final price! The signature was not that clean either. I bid on it for a little while. However its got me thinking of listing my original 1960's b/w photo signed by another rare one Arthur Hunnicutt! If I could get $400 for it I would probably let it go! Although as soon as I do sell it I will find a chubby Johnson photo that would make a nice framed piece. That's about the only reason I have not considered it yet. I have hope to one day find a chubby Johnson!!

Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on February 13, 2017 at 10:57am

You know Tim, I was the same way I was shocked that it went for so much. I think the fact it was an 8x10 of undoubted authenticity played a big role. I now expect some might put more Reta Shaw's up to test the water this often happens when a big price is realized. Granted she is what I would classify as "scarce" not something that pops up a lot. Just one of those cases where a good item goes for an unusual price. I have paid next to nothing for some extremely rare ones because I was lucky, and have paid though the nose for some not so rare because I needed them.

As for Arthur Hunnicutt I always loved him as an actor especially his Twilight Zone episode. Chubby Johnson is rare you just do not see him. I am missing about 15 "wanted" autographs from TAGS though no individual one would reach the $400 mark. I doubt I will complete the 15 since there a couple I have never even seen exemplars from. That makes it hard to bid on too since you have to kind of trust your gut instinct and I do not like doing that. I have let some pass by because I just was not sure they were legitimate. I always figure I rather have an incomplete collection than a questionable one.

Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on May 3, 2024 at 4:56am

RETA SHAW autograph on a 1960 San Francisco Civic Light Opera program front cover along with others of the cast including Jacqueline "Jackie" McKeever and Helen Gallagher.

Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on May 4, 2024 at 3:20pm

Reta Shaw this is another authentic exemplar it is one John Verzi got in person in the 1960s.

Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on June 25, 2024 at 3:09pm

Reta Shaw preprint that is out there. I have made an enlargement of the signature and the inscription, and included the photograph that was used. Reta was a beloved character actress and she enhanced anything she was a part of. Her two classic episodes of The Andy Griffith Show displayed her wide range of talent from a rough man-hating convict "Big Maude Tyler" and Barney's refined and caring voice coach "Eleanora Poultice."