How to Sell Your Charlie Chaplin Autograph & Memorabilia

To auction, sell or consign your Charlie Chaplin autograph and memorablia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).

Who Was Charlie Chaplin?

Chaplin wrote, directed, produced, edited, starred in, and composed the music for most of his films. He was a perfectionist, and his financial independence enabled him to spend years on the development and production of a picture. His films are characterised by slapstick combined with pathos, typified in the Tramp’s struggles against adversity. Many contain social and political themes, as well as autobiographical elements. He received an Honorary Academy Award for “the incalculable effect he has had in making motion pictures the art form of this century” in 1972, as part of a renewed appreciation for his work. He continues to be held in high regard, with The Gold Rush, City Lights, Modern Times, and The Great Dictator often ranked on lists of the greatest films of all time.

Here Are Some Charlie Chaplin Signed Items We Sold:

Signed Photo Dated 1919 — Sold for $3,336

Signed black and white photo of Charlie Chaplin as “The Tramp.” Dated 1919 by previous owner to verso. Signed in black ink, “Faithfully / Chas Chaplin.” Image measures approximately 5″ x 7″. Overall wear and occasional crimping to edges. Slight surface tear to upper edge just above Chaplin’s head. Good condition. Sold for $3,336.

Signed Photograph as the Tramp — Sold for $3,125

Rare photograph signed by silent movie star Charlie Chaplin. Iconic and beloved actor signs ”Faithfully / Charlie Chaplin” to image of himself as the memorable Tramp. Black and white photograph measures 5” x 7”. Light toning and creasing, not affecting signature, which remains bold. Very good plus condition. With JSA COA. Sold for $3,125.

Signature & Caricature Sketch of The Tramp — Sold for $2,500

Excellent Charlie Chaplin signature and sketch of his most famous silent film character, “The Tramp.” Here, Chaplin signed his name in an autograph book in blue ink: “To Daphne / Best Wishes / Charlie Chaplin” with a nice 2″ drawing by Chaplin of The Tramp. Signed page measures 6.25″ x 4″. Chaplin signature page is in very good condition. Sold for $2,500.

Signed Publicity Photo as the Tramp — Sold for $2,400

Charlie Chaplin signed publicity photo as the Tramp. Inscription in brown ink to lower right corner reads “Faithfully / Charlie Chaplin / To Frank.” Outdoor image features Chaplin beside a young woman with a older couple hovering behind them. Chaplin appears in his Tramp uniform and accompanying cane. Photo measures 9″ x 6.75″. Corners slightly discolored due to previous framing. Verso of photo affixed to black paper mount. Image shows slight creasing and wrinkling. Overall good condition. Sold for $2,400.

Signed Photo as “The Tramp” — Sold for $2,000

Charlie Chaplin signed photo in his most famous character as “The Tramp”. Semi-matte photo measures 5″ x 7″, boldly signed in black ink, “Faithfully / Chas Chaplin”. Light wear, overall very good plus condition. Sold for $2,000.

“Easy Street” Movie Poster — Sold for $1,903

Official movie poster from the comedic short film “Easy Street” originally released in 1917. This poster, issued sometime in the 1920’s, was for a “New Edition Deluxe” re-release of the film. Poster, with an orange background, measures 27″ x 40″ and is very delicate from folding, with a 7″ and 5″ tear at top, as well as small chips along edges of the poster. “Saturday April 11” is written by hand in pencil along the bottom of poster and there is an official “Easy Street” stamp on verso. In very good condition. Sold for $1,903.

Signed Matte Finish Photo — Sold for $1,600

Charlie Chaplin signed 11″ x 14″ silver gelatin photo, a stunning image taken in 1921 by Strauss Peyton Studios. Matte photo is signed by Chaplin in blue fountain pen, “To Lottie – With my very best wishes for a happy New Years / Sincerely yours / Charlie Chaplin”. Discreet ink spots near Chaplin’s buttons, and slight wear to margins, not affecting image. Overall very good to near fine condition. Sold for $1,600.

Typed Letter Signed From 1916 — Sold for $1,562

Charlie Chaplin typed letter signed, dated 29 May 1916. The silent film star, best known for his acting, also wrote music, and in 1916, opened his own Charlie Chaplin Music Publishing Co. After publishing what Chaplin himself called three ”very bad songs,” it closed, making this letter on publishing company letterhead exceedingly rare. The letter to a fan in Canada, reads in part, ”…I…am delighted to learn that you now like my Screen work so much better than you use to. I work very hard to bring a smile to the Screen public Face…” The actor signs, ”Chas Chaplin”. He went on to successfully write scores and arrange music for many of his films throughout his career. Minor separations to folds of 8.5” x 11” single page letter, else very good. Sold for $1,562.

Divorce Documents Signed With Full Legal Name — Sold for $1,484

Riveting collection of over 25 legal documents regarding Charlie Chaplin’s divorce from Lita Grey, including Chaplin’s 1935 Statement of Income, numerous letters by Grey and the cornerstone of the lot, a “Declaration of Trust” for the couple’s two children, twice signed by Chaplin, “Charles Spencer Chaplin” and “Charles Chaplin” establishing a $100,000 trust fund for each of their two children. The lot overall is a fascinating page-turner, with Grey staking her claim to Chaplin’s fortune through letters such as this one dated 22 April 1935: “leave no stone unturned as far as the delving into records is concerned—- as well as the study of the psychological phases of the case. My dealings with Mr. Chaplin up to the present time have been anything but pleasant. I think that even he, at this time, would agree— that I am right in expecting the trust agreement to read very much in favor of the children. I am not, at this time, expecting him to play me a dirty trick.” Lot also includes numerous legal and financial documents examining Chaplin’s personal finances, stock portfolio and property investments. In 1924, Chaplin secretly married the 16-year old Grey in Mexico, but they divorced three years later on grounds that he was having affairs with several other women. The 1927 Chaplin-Grey divorce proceedings were a media sensation with the divorce settlements, the largest ever. Chaplin was forced to pay a then-unheard of $600,000 lump sum to Grey and establish $100,000 trust funds for each of their two children. Lot is in very good condition with the 16pp., 8.5″ x 13″ trust agreement in near fine condition; signatures are bold and clear and paper has been nicely preserved. An extraordinary archive of Hollywood memorabilia. Sold for $1,484.

Autograph & Self-Portrait as The Tramp — Sold for $1,200

Autograph book containing the autograph of Charlie Chaplin, who also draws a whimsical self-portrait of himself as The Tramp. Chaplin writes next to the caricature in black fountain pen, “To Peter / Lots of love / Charlie Chaplin”. Autograph book includes several more signatures by Golden Age Hollywood actors, including Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and his wife. Autographs were obtained in the early 1940s, with book belonging to a man named Peter Gifford. Album measures 5.675″ x 3.75″. Vertical crease to front cover of book, pages remain in very good to near fine condition. With PSA/DNA COA for Chaplin’s signature. Sold for $1,200.

Early Charlie Chaplin Signed Photo — Sold for $990

Hollywood luminary Charlie Chaplin signed black-and-white photo. Here, a young Chaplin poses in an elegant suit, smiling over a book. Signed along right bottom, ”Sincerely / Charlie Chaplin” in black ink. Photo measures 4.5” x 6.75”. Toning, a closed tear at top left and evidence of prior mounting to verso. Overall very good condition. Sold for $990.

Signed Autobiography to His Alfred Eisenstaedt — Sold for $750

Charlie Chaplin signed copy of ”My Autobiography”, inscribed to famed photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt. London: The Bodley Head, 1964 third impression of the first edition. Upon the dedication page Chaplin addresses Eisenstaedt by ”Eizie”, slightly misspelling his nickname Eisie: ”To Eizie – Hoping you will enjoy this book / Charlie Chaplin / Feb 1966”. Measures 5.75” x 8.75”. Housed in original unclipped dust jacket, which has a small amount of chipping, overall very good condition. Book is slightly cocked with separation starting at front joint, also in very good condition. From Alfred Eisenstaedt’s estate. Sold for $750.

Thanks for stopping by to learn about some of the Charlie Chaplin autographs we’ve sold! Please contact us if you have any questions. View our monthly auctions at NateDSanders.com.

FAQs

How do I consign or sell my Charlie Chaplin autograph?
It’s never been easier to sell your Charlie Chaplin autograph 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 estimate.

This sounds great and I want to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auctions 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 following the auction.

What factors determine the value of a Charlie Chaplin autograph?
The value of your autograph can vary based on condition and subject matter of the signed item.