How to Sell Your Steve McQueen Autograph & Memorabilia
To buy, auction, sell or consign your Steve McQueen autograph and memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
Who Was Steve McQueen?
“There’s something about my shaggy-dog eyes that makes people think I’m good,” McQueen once said of himself.
Bad boy. Black Sheep. Rebel.
McQueen became one of the biggest anti-heroes in Hollywood history, loved for his ability to express the cultural and emotional zeitgeist of his era, as the counter-culture from the Vietnam War continued to be growing in the backdrop of his films.
His lead roles portrayed characters embodying this bad boy rebel vibe. From the “The Great Escape” to “The Thomas Crown Affair” to “Bullitt,” McQueen’s characters were complicated, always “a nonconformist and underdog, battling to survive in a hostile society,” as The New York Times put it in his obituary.
Here Are Some Steve McQueen Items We’ve Sold:
Original Signed Passport From 1970 — Sold for $12,076
Hollywood iconoclast, Steve McQueen autograph on his original passport from 1970. The “King of Cool” here displays a fun and irreverent sense of humor by writing both his given name, “Terrence Stephen McQueen” on the passport application, as well as “Steve McQueen”, the way in which the press would incorrectly spell it. (Apparently, he wanted to see if the name would pass official government scrutiny). The end result is “Terrence Stephen McQueen K.A. Steve McQueen” printed on his official passport. He then signs “Steve McQueen” twice, once on the document and again on the 2.75″ square photo, showing McQueen smiling in 1970’s aviator sunglasses. Stuck in London with an expired passport in April 1970, McQueen applied for this re-issue at the U.S. Embassy. Visa stamps indicate that he arrived at Orly Airport in April and also made stops in Madrid and Casablanca on the same trip. Jamaican and Mexican visas are stamped on other pages from later trips. A vaccination record, with McQueen’s Hollywood address handwritten on the first page, is stapled to the back of the passport, which also lists his height, hair and eye color, and place of birth. Minor wear to 3.75″ x 6″ green passport. Overall very good condition. A scarce signed and personally-owned item by the Hollywood icon.
CORRECTION TO STORY REGARDING STEVE MCQUEEN’S NAME
The “King of Cool” here displays a fun and irreverent sense of humor by writing his name incorrectly. The star’s real name “Steven Terrance McQueen” was often wrongfully reported in the press as “Terrance Stephen McQueen”. When in London applying for a new passport at the American Embassy, McQueen applied with “Terrance Stephen McQueen” to see if the press’ incorrect spelling would pass official government scrutiny, and it did. To this day the press wrongfully reports Steve McQueen’s first name as Terrance. McQueen playfully adds, “K.A. Steve McQueen” and the end result is, “Terrence Stephen McQueen K.A. Steve McQueen” printed on his official passport. Dark Steve McQueen autograph. Sold for $12,076.
Screen-Worn Sunglasses From Le Mans — Sold for $11,858
Steve McQueen sunglasses screen-worn in the film ”Le Mans,” about the Battle of the Titans, the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race. Crafted by famed Optique Boutique eyewear designer Dennis Roberts, the aviator style shades bear an engraving of McQueen’s name to the top of the frame. Wooden case is included. With LOA from Roberts and provenance from R&R. Fine. Sold for $11,858.
Iconic Signed Photo from Bullitt — Sold for $2,919
Steve McQueen autograph on a portrait from the 1968 movie “Bullitt.” An iconic pose from the star and the most widely publicized portrait which was used for the one-sheet poster and other advertising for the film. Signed in black ink “Steve McQueen” on the image. Gelatin silver glossy 8″ x 10″ photo in very good condition with creasing at the upper right, mounting remnants on the verso and trimming of borders. Nice Steve McQueen autograph. Sold for $2,919.
Signed Black and White Photo — Sold for $2,496
Steve McQueen autograph on an 8″ x 10″ photo. Handsome photo of the actor is inscribed, ”To Dona – My Very Best / Steve McQueen”. Matte 8” x 10” photo has some pinholes, mostly to border, a bend to upper left and light creasing. Very good condition. SolidSteve McQueen autograph. Sold for $2,496.
Signed Photo With Jackie Gleason — Sold for $2,140
Hollywood legends Jackie Gleason and Steve McQueen 8″ x 10″ matte signed photo from the 1963 film “Soldier in the Rain.” Gleason’s inscription in blue ink reads: “To Janis / Jackie Gleason” with a nice, large signature. McQueen’s inscription, also in blue ink, reads: “To Janis / From / Steve McQueen”. Near fine condition. Accompanied by PSA/DNA COA for both signatures. Sold for $2,140.
Signed Contract From 1960 — Sold for $1,711
Steve McQueen autograph on a contract, dated 1 April 1960, agreeing to appear on Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall. McQueen and his wife, Neile Adams, appeared on the 4 May 1960 show. The actor signs in blue ball point pen, “S. McQueen” at the bottom of the contract. Overall toning to single page document, measuring 8.5″ x 11″, else very good. Sold for $1,711.
We Also Sold This Bruce Lee Handwritten File From Lee’s Institute, Where Steve McQueen Was a Student:
Bruce Lee Signed & Handwritten Martial Arts File for McQueen — Sold for $24,361
Bruce Lee signed student file for actor Steve McQueen, who studied under Lee at the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute. McQueen was also Lee’s close friend and a pallbearer at his funeral in 1973. This file, entitled ”Bruce Lee’s Tao of Gung Fu” is handwritten by Lee on the cover, ”Steve McQueen” and signed ”Bruce Lee” by him inside, under ”President’s Approval” of McQueen’s promotion. Lee also hand writes McQueen’s personal information, including his age, address, phone numbers, marital status, profession, etc., and notes his date of promotion as ”Oct. 17 1967”. Heavy paper folder measures 9.5” x 11.5”, with the Institute’s orange and gold yin/yang symbol on the cover. In near fine condition. Originally lot 27 of Superior Galleries’ Bruce Lee auction on 7 August 1993, there consigned by Lee’s wife, Linda Lee Caldwell. Sold for $24,361.
To buy, auction, sell or consign your Steve McQueen autograph & memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
FAQs
How do I consign or sell my Steve McQueen memorabilia?
It’s never been easier to sell your memorabilia at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and photos of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible with a free appraisal.
This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement for your review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days post auction.
What factors determine the value of Steve McQueen memorabilia?
The value of your item can vary based on condition and subject matter.