by R.S.V.P » Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:08 pm
You'll find more secretarials and fakes of Walt Disney in online auction than authentic signed photos & sketches.
There's only a handfull of dealers that I would recommand to buy such rarities from.
How Do You Authenticate Walt Disney’s Autograph?
The short answer is experience, research, files, and resources. I have years of experience buying, selling, and collecting Disney autographed memorabilia. My experience is backed up by files on Disney’s signature three feet thick. I maintain a good, information-sharing relationship with the Disney Studio Archives, frequently calling upon their resources. At first glance it may seem hard to tell the difference between Walt Disney’s signature and one signed by an authorized employee. In fact a lot of autograph dealers don’t know the difference and even so-called autograph "experts" have published books mis-identifying Walt Disney’s autograph. I have compiled an enormous database documenting Walt Disney’s true signature (both cursive and block-printed) for every stage of Disney’s life. This way I can actually take an undated signature and narrow down the date to within a couple of years. I also have files identifying employee-signed Walt Disney autographs; if the "Disney" signature was signed by an employee, I can often tell you which employee. I am not an autograph dealer who claims to know everything about every famous person who ever lived. In fact, I am constantly seeing bad Disney signatures being offered in reputable dealer catalogs and in major auctions. Every dealer offers a guarantee of authenticity- but what good is that if you hang a bad signature on your wall with a fancy authenticity certificate. If the dealer isn’t an expert on Disney, the guarantee isn't too meaningful. I specialize in Walt Disney’s autograph and know it well. I am the Walt Disney autograph consultant for Sotheby’s animation auctions in New York and Christie’s South Kensington in London. I buy and sell more Disney material than anyone else in the world.
Why do Authentic Walt Disney Signatures Often Look Different From Each Other?
A lot depends on what year it was signed. Disney's signature from the 1920's does not resemble his signature from the 1950's or 60's. Walt consciously re-designed his signature over the years, in much the same way he changed the appearance of Mickey Mouse over time. Walt's signature will look different for every decade, and then there are differences within each decade. The signature used as the logo for the Walt Disney Classics Collection, for example, is based on Walt's autograph from the end of the 1930's/beginning of the 1940's. The autographs with the big horizontal flourishes above the "W" and "D" are mainly from the 1950's and 1960's. Adding to the confusion, like most cartoonists (although this title doesn't apply past the early 1920's!) Walt also had a printed, or Roman signature which he used occasionally throughout his life. This is the signature that looks similar to (but is not the same as) the Disney Company logo. That famous Walt Disney lettering- he invented his own font! You'll usually only see this signature associated with artwork. Walt would often print his name the way the public is familiar with seeing it on matted cels or prints. Printing his name was slower than handwriting it in a cursive manner, so these signatures are not seen as often. What is seen often are the Disney Studio artist's versions of Walt's Roman signature.
Is It True Other People at the Disney Studio Were Allowed To Sign Walt's Name?
At least a dozen Disney Studio staff members signed Walt Disney's name to comics, fan items, promotional material, etc., over the years. The most common proxy signatures are by Hank Porter in the 1930's & 1940's, and Bob Moore beginning in the 1950's. Keep in mind that Walt NEVER drew a single Walt Disney newspaper comic or comic book, but every one of those was "signed" with a Walt Disney signature- by the artist, of course. Fortunately, Walt's own writing has distinct characteristics that distinguish it from these copies. Even so, autograph "experts" have written books in which they mis-identify Walt's autograph and those of his artists.
Best,
Stephan
You'll find more secretarials and fakes of Walt Disney in online auction than authentic signed photos & sketches.
There's only a handfull of dealers that I would recommand to buy such rarities from.
[b]How Do You Authenticate Walt Disney’s Autograph?[/b]
The short answer is experience, research, files, and resources. I have years of experience buying, selling, and collecting Disney autographed memorabilia. My experience is backed up by files on Disney’s signature three feet thick. I maintain a good, information-sharing relationship with the Disney Studio Archives, frequently calling upon their resources. At first glance it may seem hard to tell the difference between Walt Disney’s signature and one signed by an authorized employee. In fact a lot of autograph dealers don’t know the difference and even so-called autograph "experts" have published books mis-identifying Walt Disney’s autograph. I have compiled an enormous database documenting Walt Disney’s true signature (both cursive and block-printed) for every stage of Disney’s life. This way I can actually take an undated signature and narrow down the date to within a couple of years. I also have files identifying employee-signed Walt Disney autographs; if the "Disney" signature was signed by an employee, I can often tell you which employee. I am not an autograph dealer who claims to know everything about every famous person who ever lived. In fact, I am constantly seeing bad Disney signatures being offered in reputable dealer catalogs and in major auctions. Every dealer offers a guarantee of authenticity- but what good is that if you hang a bad signature on your wall with a fancy authenticity certificate. If the dealer isn’t an expert on Disney, the guarantee isn't too meaningful. I specialize in Walt Disney’s autograph and know it well. I am the Walt Disney autograph consultant for Sotheby’s animation auctions in New York and Christie’s South Kensington in London. I buy and sell more Disney material than anyone else in the world.
[b]Why do Authentic Walt Disney Signatures Often Look Different From Each Other?[/b]
A lot depends on what year it was signed. Disney's signature from the 1920's does not resemble his signature from the 1950's or 60's. Walt consciously re-designed his signature over the years, in much the same way he changed the appearance of Mickey Mouse over time. Walt's signature will look different for every decade, and then there are differences within each decade. The signature used as the logo for the Walt Disney Classics Collection, for example, is based on Walt's autograph from the end of the 1930's/beginning of the 1940's. The autographs with the big horizontal flourishes above the "W" and "D" are mainly from the 1950's and 1960's. Adding to the confusion, like most cartoonists (although this title doesn't apply past the early 1920's!) Walt also had a printed, or Roman signature which he used occasionally throughout his life. This is the signature that looks similar to (but is not the same as) the Disney Company logo. That famous Walt Disney lettering- he invented his own font! You'll usually only see this signature associated with artwork. Walt would often print his name the way the public is familiar with seeing it on matted cels or prints. Printing his name was slower than handwriting it in a cursive manner, so these signatures are not seen as often. What is seen often are the Disney Studio artist's versions of Walt's Roman signature.
[b]Is It True Other People at the Disney Studio Were Allowed To Sign Walt's Name?[/b]
At least a dozen Disney Studio staff members signed Walt Disney's name to comics, fan items, promotional material, etc., over the years. The most common proxy signatures are by Hank Porter in the 1930's & 1940's, and Bob Moore beginning in the 1950's. Keep in mind that Walt NEVER drew a single Walt Disney newspaper comic or comic book, but every one of those was "signed" with a Walt Disney signature- by the artist, of course. Fortunately, Walt's own writing has distinct characteristics that distinguish it from these copies. Even so, autograph "experts" have written books in which they mis-identify Walt's autograph and those of his artists.
Best,
Stephan
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