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Greta Garbo

Signed check to Dr.Kevin Cahill, who was accused of sexual harassment by one of his patients.

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Comment by Nick Dimeo on October 6, 2021 at 8:01am: Garbo collector here. I have seen this check a few times as it is offered as a replica check on many sites. If this is the original check hats off to you as it’s a nice exemplar. I think Dr. Gary Brucato (ClassicEntertainmentAutographs) at one time had this check. I have a few checks signed by her in my collection. Always a good investment.

Comment by Eddy on October 6, 2021 at 11:52am: These checks from Garbo's estate began trickling out onto the market several years ago. At the time, they began selling for about $1300. Rather quickly they began appearing on eBay and other sites until there was a relative saturation of them. I see them on eBay these days from the estate going for around $500 a pop for a completely handwritten one (the typed signed ones less). Some dealers are still listing for over $1k .

I've seen a few made out to "Cash". That's one that I'd like to possibly acquire.

Comment by Nick Dimeo on October 6, 2021 at 3:59pm: Correct, up until the checks surfaced a few years ago Garbo was up there with Shoeless Joe Jackson as a holy grail autograph. Being a silent film autograph collector, Lon Chaney Sr. is now most desirable followed by Valentino. Still impossible to find Garbo photos signed.

Comment by Eddy on October 6, 2021 at 4:44pm: Buster Keaton and quality Chaplin pieces seem to also be perennial favorites amongst collectors.

Comment by Eddy on October 6, 2021 at 4:46pm: I remember having to look twice when the first Garbo check I saw was featured in Golden Age Autographs listings. It was pretty exciting at the time.

Comment by Nick Dimeo on October 6, 2021 at 4:52pm: I’ve got Chaplin, Lloyd and Keaton in my collection. I couldn’t believe when I picked up a Garbo check from her estate, it was exhilarating. I’m still looking for that same exhilaration when I locate a future Chaney and some of the silent stars who died prematurely like Wallace Reid, Olive Thomas and such. Also some of the directors like Griffith, Mack Sennett and King Vidor.

Comment by Eddy on October 6, 2021 at 5:00pm: I had a great Chaney at one point that has been passed along a couple of times since through dealerships and auction. Also had a great Wallace Reid. I began to focus in other directions at one point and sold/traded some silent era material. Kind of have regretted it a bit since but I'm happy when something I have treasured ends up with a collector who will be treasuring it also.

Comment by Eddy on October 6, 2021 at 5:01pm: Chatting about this kind of material makes me realize how much I miss Tom Kramer's offerings!

Comment by Nick Dimeo on October 6, 2021 at 5:13pm: I bought a lot from Dr. Gary and Classic Entertainment Autographs, or I made some connections back in the days of Classic Images Magazine. Yeah, I could never part with my silent autographs. One man’s prized (insert moderately successful modern actor) is another man’s prized Billy Haines, or Edna Purviance.

Comment by Greg Jeranek on October 6, 2021 at 5:19pm: I appreciate all the comments both good and bad from my fellow collectors. As far as this signed check, I got this from one of her great-grandkids out of Mill Valley California who says it's from her estate. Should I pay and have JSA, Beckett, or PSA look at it I don't think so.