How to Sell Your James Dean Autograph
To auction, sell or consign your James Dean autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
Reflecting On James Dean
James Dean is remembered as a teen idol of the 1950s and poster child of teenage rebellion. His breakout role was East of Eden, based on the John Steinbeck book, and earned Dean an Oscar nomination. Other famous films of his include Rebel Without a Cause and Giant, which were released after his tragic death at age of 24. His untimely death and memorable performances has immortalized Dean as a symbol of misunderstood youth and unconventionality.
Here Are Some James Dean Items We’ve Sold:
Signed & Initialed Warner Bros Contract — Sold for $22,958
We realized $22,958 for a fantastic James Dean signed and initialed contract with Warner Bros that made him a star. Forty-five page contract is dated April 1954, signed “James Dean” on the last page and initialed 48 times throughout. Document goes into great detail about East of Eden, Dean’s pay for the film and gives Warner Bros the option to extent the contact for nine more motion pictures.
All pages of the contact can be seen here.
Signed Warner Brothers Agreement for “GIANT” — Sold for $15,679
Giant was the third and final feature film James Dean made with Warner Bros, before his death in September 1955. We sold a signed agreement dated 2 April 1955 that extends Dean’s contact with the company for an additional motion picture. Two page letter mentions “…the motion picture tentatively entitled ‘GIANT’, with you portraying the role of ‘Jett Rink’…” Signed “James Dean” on page two and comes from the estate of his agent Jane Deacy. Sold for $15,679.
Signed Silver Gelatin Photo — Sold for $15,101
We realized $15,101 for a fantastic silver gelatin headshot signed by James Dean in bright blue pen, ”best wishes / James Dean”. 8 x 10 inch photo was taken by NYC-based Talbot Studios and has Talbot’s backstamp to verso.
Signed & Inscribed Photo — Sold for $15,101
Phil Stern captured iconic photos of James Dean with his motorcycle in 1955 in his signature candid photography style. We sold a James Dean signed and inscribed photo from this session that reads, “To Mom / My heart and thanks / Jim”, for $15,101. Endearing inscription to “mom” was for his agent, Jane Deacy. Stern’s backstamp is on verso.
Autograph Letter Signed to Jane Deacy — Sold for $10,706
We sold a James Dean autograph letter signed to his agent, Jane Deacy, dated April 1954 for $10,706. Single page letter was written in Los Angeles after Dean arrived to film “East of Eden” and reads:
”Dear Mom, / Like always I can trust your judgement. I am very happy with the office you chose for me. Dick Clayton is a prince of a guy. Old man [Charles] Feldman is in equal rights a prince. The rest of them are patronizing and nice (think I’m a weird one of course, as always, they will catch on.) If I would louse up the picture Dick would still talk to me.
I haven’t quite settled down yet but will soon. Rented a car. Very brown and healthy looking, Kazan is pleased. I love you.
Send Mr. Feldman a copy of my contract so he can see whats up. Please as soon as you can. Love / Your little monster / Jim”.
Autograph Letter Signed — Sold for $10,706
We realized $10,706 for a James Dean autograph letter to his agent, Jane Deacy, whom he considered a second mother. Two page letter mentions personal matters including money, his relationship with his stepmother, his health and reads in full:
”Dear Jane / I had a wire sent to my bank (Chase) and their reply to my frantic question was $121.00. Sure went fast. I had to give up the rented car idea. It cost me $138.00 the two weeks that I had it. I hope that I still have the checks from Danger coming. I can’t live with my stepmother another minute and I’ll have to find a mode of transportation. As you know without a car your [sic] good as dead in Calif. I hate this place anyway. Please tell me that I still have the Danger checks because I love you.
Have found a good dentist after a long and discreet search. Cliffton Webbs dentist (oh well). Have been going to a throat specialist because of a pigmented tongue [self-portrait drawing]. Too much smoking. Has stopped completely, also stopped drinking. Taking vitamins also. I was really run-down. I’m fatter now and feel much better. Tear myself up in New York. Build myself up in Calif. (health and maybe career huh?) The address at my fathers place is 1667 So. Bundy Drive, L.A. 19, Calif. or write to Dick Claytons office address and tell me that I have still the Danger checks. Returning home after picture to find analyst. (Is that spelled right, doesn’t look right). Miss you / Love / Jim”.
Signed Personal Check — Sold for $6,500
James Dean checks are exceedingly rare as he only wrote a few dozen before he passed away in 1955. We sold a James Dean signed check, made out in Dean’s hand, for $6,500. Check is dated 24 September 1954, shortly after East of Eden filming wrapped.
Thanks for checking out our James Dean signed items! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to sell your James Dean memorabilia. Learn about James Dean costumes and other memorabilia we’ve sold.
FAQs
How do I consign or sell my James Dean autograph?
It’s never been simpler to sell your James Dean 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 we can 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 an auction every month and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.
What factors determine the value of a James Dean autograph?
The value of your James Dean autograph can vary based on condition, provenance and subject matter of the signed item.