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Like, this is so random but I think it could make a fun discussion.

I think it could be fun to discuss some signing habits of some old classic Hollywood figures we all know and like, including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, and the like. (Like, if they signed authentics, secs, or not at all, or if they were good IP.)

Or if you heard a good story about them (if they were a good signer or not?), do tell!

I'll start:

I read a story once that Katharine Hepburn refused to sign autographs for some people and for that she kind of gained a bad rep for it. I have no idea if it's true or not.

I also read in "My Story," that when Marilyn Monroe once had to ask someone to spell "Marilyn." LOL!

**PS: I know, I used the word "like" so many times, hehe!

-Monroe was notorious non-signer thru mail due to 1000s letters a month

-JFK used several autopen machines

-Elvis once sent a letter to a wedding couple.....very seldom I DO believe he signed authentic

-both Streisand & Eastwood signed authentic in the 70s

-Bruce Lee explained difference kung fu vs karate......the girl wrote to Green Hornet set (someone wrote Lee just 10 days before Lee's death & rec'd signed photo)

-Ian Fleming knew his signed books would be worth £ so he signed only a few ;)

Ooh, thanks for sharing; I didn't know any of that! (Except maybe Clint Eastwood, based on some of the posts here, LOL.)

I read in an autograph magazine that Marilyn Monroe only signed for people she knew. They are hardly any real autographs out there of her

In the late 80's I wrote to Jimmy Stewart. He sent me a signed photo (which he provided). A few years later I was at an autograph store and the guy said it was probably a fake. He didn't see it. I was bummed and then a few years later when Jimmy Stewart passed away. Autograph Collector magazine did a story. And wrote that Mr.Stewart signed for anyone who wrote to him. He only stopped about a year before he passed. After looking at comparisons. My auto is legit.

Dean Martin was on a talk show years ago. And said something to the effect that it was an actors responsibility to the fans to sign for them.

Paul Newman wasn't a good signer TTM. And then a few years ago he started signing TTM again. I wrote to him and got a response a month later. 3 weeks after that he passed.

I DO believe Monroe signed a dollar bill for a kid once so I guess you never know ;)

newbie86 wrote:I read in an autograph magazine that Marilyn Monroe only signed for people she knew. They are hardly any real autographs out there of her

There are a ton of her signed checks out there if you want something authentic. Also, a ton of fakes on Ebay.

My beloved Bette Davis was an excellent IP signer later on in her career. I have that on good authority from some collector friends who met her several times. {thumb2}

Some believe that she had a secretary sign her TTM's but when I bought my BD autograph (which is the photo she sent TTM) I checked it with my friend's IP's first and it matched up so who knows

A "ton" is a bit of a stretch to say.......but I see what you mean