"I certainty understand. Back in the day, before digital photography, getting a photo to send was far more difficult and expensive. A request to the celebrity requesting a photo - with or without a SASE - was usually the best you could…"
Authenticity is Everything
Colin Ryono's Discussions
James Stewart, letter from 1993
Started this discussion. Last reply by JK Dec 31, 2025. 23 Replies 0 Likes
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…Continue
Two online authentications disagreeing
Started this discussion. Last reply by BallroomDays67 Jan 3, 2024. 22 Replies 0 Likes
Jerry Nelson (1934-2012), Muppet performer
Started this discussion. Last reply by Mupplvr Sep 4, 2022. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Waiting on an opinion from Beckett (submitted on Wednesday, Aug 31) but I was hoping for an opinion here as well. Relatively obscure Muppet-related personality. …Continue
Tags: muppets
Steve Martin autograph opinion, please?
Started this discussion. Last reply by Jason H Aug 17, 2022. 3 Replies 0 Likes
Seller states (in description) that it was acquired at a comedy show in June 2019 in Texas. This would match with this site (…Continue
Colin Ryono's Page
Latest Activity
""...this example was authenticated by a TPA, but I believe this is the autopen..."
I wish that was an isolated example. It is not. "
"PS - Spear was still signing while Gleason was dying. I have heard of 5x7's with the envelopes postmarked just before his death and right after."
"If you had sent something to be signed or even a SASE for a signed photo back then, you would almost certainly have received an authentic signature.
More's the pity. I need to look at my original letter (I have it saved) but I don't know…"
"Thx for sharing the feedback.
It seems that celebrities (and their secretaries) rarely admit to sending out secretarial or autopen signatures.
I once wrote to a former US president's office to ask for an example of his autopen signature…"
"Yes, I was afraid of that. The words of the secretary are meaningless to me. Suppose you asked Sydell Spear the same question? Is she going to say "I sign ALL of Jackie's mail, letters and so on?" I would trust Steve."
" I got an email back from Steve Zarelli as of this morning and it was his opinion, in addition to another collector with whom he consulted, that my letter was signed by a secretary. This obviously contradicts the info gleaned from the person…"
"Great! I think you'll find it both a welcoming community of hobbyists and a knowledgeable one!"
"I requested to join. Thanks. "
"Colin -
Do you belong to this group on Facebook?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/959260692893962
There are some Stewart collectors and knowledgeable dealers on there who also might be of assistance."
"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…"
"SWAU hasn't replied to me yet which I find odd as they're usually very swift.
I posted my letter on a Facebook forum and someone there believes it to be autopen. But wouldn't the pen pressure/line thinkness be uniform if it was…"
"Steve and presumably SWAU offer authorization 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…"
"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?"
"I'm sure you will hear back. I wish I could help more - were this Gleason or Bowie etc. I would."
"Not yet. I just sent an email to Mr. Zarelli, though. "
About Me
- What kind of member are you? (Check as many as apply.)
- Collector, Fan
- What would you like to tell us about yourself, your collecting, or business.
- Not much to tell.
- What is your level of expertise?
- Beginner
- Why do you want to join Autograph Live?
- To evaluate a specific autograph.
- Who can we thank for telling you about us?
- What are your areas of interest?
- Sports, Music, Modern Hollywood and Stage, Classic Hollywood and Stage, History/Politics, Books/Literature, Horror
- You can ask anyone living or dead for their autograph. Who would it be?
- Frank Oz
- What is today's date?
- December 9, 2021
Comment Wall (1 comment)
- At 7:54pm on January 24, 2022,
Mupplvr said…
Sure! Send me a scan of them. Sorry for just getting this now!
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