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James Dean Autographs: This Great Signed Photo Makes Me Want to Talk About Them

Markus Brandes just bought a great James Dean signed photo that gave me the urge to start a discussion on one of Hollywood's most iconic actors.

Here it is (click to enlarge):

http://www.brandesautographs.com/historical_en/catalog/product/view...

I compared the writing to some of the James Dean handwritten letters to his girlfriend that Christie's London sold a year ago, and it matched up well. I think it compares equally well to one Profiles in History sold years ago.

So let's take this opportunity to do a James Dean autograph discussion, and build a signature study! We ran a James Dean cover story in the Sept. 2005 issue of Autograph Collector, and I'll upload those images in the next day or two.

Tags: Profiles in History, james dean, markus brandes

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Peter Lougheed on December 5, 2012 at 10:23am

Amazing item, Steve!

It's hard to believe that he was no more than 24 years old at the time he was photographed for this image. He looked like a man who had already experienced a much longer life.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 5, 2012 at 8:32pm

You are so right, Pete. Hope you're having a nice holiday season.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on December 27, 2013 at 10:27pm

Rupert, one thing you can't do on this forum is start spamming random, unrelated threads trying to sell your Marley autograph. Please don't do that.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Sledz on January 1, 2013 at 11:50pm

Some are born geniuses... some need a lifetime and still can't get there. Eternal mystery, Pete.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Sledz on August 14, 2013 at 4:05am

He is...

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Permalink Reply by Robert Sledz on January 1, 2013 at 11:49pm

Looks good to me.. I have some pre prints..

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Permalink Reply by www.TheCEAD.com on January 6, 2013 at 2:34am

Steve,

Have a look at the study on Dean's signature I did, reviewed and OKed by Tom, for The CEAD:

http://thecead.com/dnamesfolder/deanjames.pdf

Best,

Gary

****

www.ClassicEntertainmentAutographs.com

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Permalink Reply by Pinchak on January 6, 2013 at 7:46am

Great photo and signature.

It seems to me that when the signer actually inscribes a message along with the signature this gives alot more credence to the authenticity of the autograph. Practicing a specific signature with the intent of producing forgeries is one thing, learning an entire writing style seems to be a much greater and problematic (from the standpoint of detection) feat.

Is this a truth? Or does it not matter much as far as authentication goes?

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Permalink Reply by Brian M. Wazac on January 6, 2013 at 9:15am

I would think you're right. In the past uninscribed autos were worth more usally. But w/ all the F&Fs out there I might feel more comfortable with something more than just the auto......Have a gr8 new year!

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Permalink Reply by Carl Ryan on January 6, 2013 at 10:48am

Hi Pinchak,

I agree and disagree at the same time. Inscriptions are not as commonly forged as just the signature, but dont let it fool you. On major celebrities such as James Dean, Elvis, Beatles, etc, forgers often will use an inscription to lure people into a false state of security. Most forgers will stay away from inscriptions on minor celebs b/c obviously they can get caught easier. But for the really rare celebs i have seen just as many forged inscriptions as i have seen forged autographs. But the good thing is that the more they write, the more clues they give away. Forgers adapt so quickly that some have learned entire writing styles so that they can lure people in.

But you are right, they probably are, all in all,, less likely to be forged.