The Vintage Signature of Art Carney 1918 - 2003 "Ed Norton"

Art Carney backstage candid as Norton C. 1956 Ex-Gleason Collection

Everyone remembers Ed Norton, the upstairs neighbor of Ralph and Alice and partner to Kamden's many get rich quick schemes. Here is a look at the vintage signature of Art Carney, starting in 1931 and going to 1960 or so, with emphasis on the desirable years. Apart from the early 1931 example, Carney's signature remained remarkably stable throughout his lengthy career. He was among the best TTM signers, and thus is very common in later form, especially from the 1980's on. Unlike Gleason ,Randolph or even Meadows, Carney is readily available in vintage format.

A  February 18th, 1931 sheet signed by Carney in pencil - he is 12!:A late 1940's/early 1950's album page signed in pencil:

Early 3x5 RP postcards signed in blue and teal fountain pen C. 1952 and December, 1953:

And a detail:

June 13th, 1954 index card signed in ballpoint:

A November 14th 1954 ALS in fountain:

An August 1955 Document (the first of the Classic 39 Episodes would be filmed October 1st):

A April 9th, 1956 Document (the second year of the Classic 39 Episodes):

An early November 1957 Playbill signed in ink:

An October 14th, 1958 ballpoint Document signature:

A late 1950's/C. 1960 portrait with a lot of writing in blue fountain:

A 1963 ballpoint signed Playbill:

Here is a 1964 in fountain:

This is the only authentic Honeymooners photograph I have ever seen. It was signed in the 1970's.  It was auctioned by R&R many years ago. Today it would be worth a small fortune. It is a fine example of Carney in the 70's. 

Here is a contract from April 23rd, 1984:

And the signature from a sketch from April 16th, 1994:

Often mentioned for creating Felix Unger, or his Oscar for Harry and Tonto, he will always fondly known as "Ed", here shown in a classic pose from The Honeymooners 1955/56 in a fine C. 1955 signed example in blue fountain.

And now, with the passing of Joyce Randolph on January 13, 2024, all four cast members are in that great kitchen in the sky.

The Vintage Autograph of Audrey Meadows 1922-1996 "Alice Kramden"

The Vintage Signature of Joyce Randolph 1922-2022 "Trixie Norton"

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Ah! Lovely!  I also had one like it - "me?" It is a wonderful example. I considered adding his sketches to this article - you have! :-)

Nice sketch.  

I have a few of these as well.  A couple show him smoking.  One has red added on his nose - I assumed he was under the weather when he drew it. 

I'll try to get some photos.

I like the smoking cigarette ones the best; they’re almost countercultural by today’s standards. But all of them are cool in their uniqueness. Great ways to remember a legendary class act.

Agreed. Art was...art! Harry and Tonto show that. 

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