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Walt Disney autograph. Intriguing to say the least.

I purchased an old autograph book which has a number of celebrity autographs from the 1930's primarily. Mostly actors and employees of the Brown Derby. All the signatures I have experience with are definitely authentic. I'm not good with Disney and I know this is not his classic style but may be an earlier example. Would love everyone's opinion of this signature.

Tags: autograph, disney, walt

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 25, 2015 at 6:27pm

I found this (linked) which appears to show a 1935 signature which exhibits elements and flourish that appear in his later realized signature. I am not seeing this on the album page. It does not appear to be Oswald the Rabbit in the drawing, which does not display anywhere near the skill it should.

1935 Disney signature Phil Sears

Eric

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on November 25, 2015 at 6:34pm

He did an animation about a rabbit(I believe) named Oscar in the late 1920's. I'm not making a case it's authentic by any means. Purchased the book without consideration of this signature. Just think it's curious as all the other signatures are good and why would somebody fake this one in a time period before Disney had established himself as the icon he would become. Especially this style. Thanks for the input.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 25, 2015 at 6:55pm

Well, Disney produced 26 Oswald the Rabbit cartoons in 1929 alone. Not yet the giant he would become, but still... The drawings by Disney from these years are far superior to this sketch, and his signature appears more established in other examples from even earlier. What time period are the other signatures from?

Eric

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on November 25, 2015 at 7:02pm

By all appearances it appears to be the early 1930's. There are a number of actors, workers at the Brown Derby, and some doctors/friends of the album owner. It seems he was a doctor as well. 

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on November 27, 2015 at 5:17am

Thanks Eric. I appreciate your feedback. I was hoping this signature would receive a few more comments. It does seem strange to me that an autograph book which contained great authentic examples of Frank Morgan, Tyrone Power, Fred Astaire, and the like would have a bogus signature of Disney. Especially back in the day when no one would have thought much about value or resell.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 27, 2015 at 10:15am

Hi Joe,

True, but value or resale would not have been the motive back then. "Look who was here"  - that's it, I think. Just like many collectors today - not $. Another 30's signature - just don't see the same hand. You? Also linked is a 1918 drawing and signed photo. The drawings are very different as is the handwriting. The 1918/19 signature is much different than the early 30's, but I still don't see it in your album page. Vague resemblance, but no more and why a 1919 signature in a 1930's book? I think they just look vaguely alike by chance. Look at the signatures in those sketches, very different.

Another 1935 Disney Signature

WW1 Era 1918/19 Disney Sketches and Signature

Best wishes,

                      Eric

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on November 27, 2015 at 10:54am

That's why I said intriguing. It puzzles me. Too far off for any TPA to authentic it I assume. But, I think it's interesting and it's one of my keepers. Just think I would seek some thoughts from those who know a lot more about these things than I. Appreciate your interaction.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 27, 2015 at 11:28am

Hello again,

I should have been clearer - when I wrote "Look who was here" - I meant I can easily imagine someone else having that in mind and signing the page. How many restaurants have photos with secretarials or worse on the walls? Clearly, Disney was drawing at a much higher skill level before 1920, and his signature by 1935 is so different. The drawing it as useful as the signature if not more so.

Here is a better image of the full 1918 signature:

1918 Disney Signature and WW1 Sketch

But here you can zoom in tight onto his 1918 signature - very different.

Click on Images to Zoom

Best wishes,

                Eric

PS - Perhaps send an email to Phil Sears if you think?

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 27, 2015 at 12:08pm

Hello,

I found this site with these early signatures - the 1930 is very different than your album page, but has much in common with the other early examples shown in this thread. Perhaps this is an 80 year old goose chase! That is my guess.

1930 Disney Signature

Eric

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on November 27, 2015 at 12:18pm

Nice page. I am bookmarking that one for future reference. Not sure what the good Doctor(the book owner) was doing. Maybe was an early Disney fan and maybe doodling. Who knows. Thanks so much for all your interest and effort.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 27, 2015 at 12:28pm

That is a good possibility. That rabbit is winking...

But, the more I look, there is something in that signature...some of the form and slant of the "D", the "is" and that "y"...send a scan to Sears if possible to rule this (to me thin) possibility out. I really can't see why the drawing would be so bad.

My pleasure to try and help - I love the hunt.

Eric

Permalink Reply by J.Seah on November 27, 2015 at 1:26pm

Hi Joe,

You should contact Phil Sear on this. if anyone can authenticate a Disney autograph, it is him!!!

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