How to Sell Your John Wayne Autograph
To auction, sell or consign your John Wayne autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
John Wayne Autographs
John Wayne, who also went by his lifelong nickname “The Duke”, is remembered for portraying rugged American cowboy-type characters during Hollywood’s Golden Age. He had a 50 year relationship with director John Ford and starred in 14 of his films, that include “Stagecoach” and “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”.
We Sold the Following John Wayne Autographs:
“They Were Expendable” Cast Signed Book — Sold for $3,414
John Wayne signed book “They Were Expendable”, also signed by the cast of the Academy Award nominated film, including by director John Ford. The 1945 film is based on this book by William L. White, published in Cleveland: World Publishing Co., 1944. Near complete list of autographs includes John Wayne, who inscribes “Good Luck, Pat / John Wayne”, John Ford, Ward Bond, Robert Barrat, Murray Alper, Charles Trowbridge, Marshall Thompson, Cameron Mitchell, Tim Murdock, Arthur Walsh, Stuckey Kruger, Blake Edwards, Jeff York, Harry Tenbrook, Russell Simpson, Dad Knowland, Bill Neff, Jack Pennick, Ernest Saftig and others. Copy was given to Patricia Forgues, whose card is affixed to fly-leaf, the daughter of one of the crew. Book measures 5.75″ x 8.25″. Some shelf wear and discoloration to top edge of boards. Overall very good condition. Lot also includes a strip of 7 negatives from the film. Sold for $3,414.
Signed Contract for “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” — Sold for $2,500
John Wayne signed contract for one of his most iconic films, ”The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”. Full agreement between Wayne and Paramount Pictures is signed ”John Wayne” on the last page in blue ballpoint, and countersigned by Bernard Donnenfeld, Paramount’s Vice-President of Production and Administration. Contract runs 56pp. and details all aspects of the production, including Wayne’s salary of $750,000. Measures 8.5” x 11”, double-stapled at top left. Light wear, overall very good plus condition. Sold for $2,500.
Signed Photo From “True Grit” — Sold for $2,431
Legendary leading man and American icon John Wayne signed photo from the 1969 film “True Grit” for which Wayne won the Academy Award as Best Actor. Autograph reads in full, “Good luck, John / John Wayne”. In the photo, Wayne dons a dark colored Stetson hat and patch over his left eye, standing with a horse in the background as the character U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn. By the time this photo was taken, Wayne had also been Oscar-nominated for his role in “Sands of Iwo Jima” and for producing “The Alamo,” but “True Grit” was his only win. Photo measures 10″ x 8″ and is in very good condition. Sold for $2,431.
Signed Photo From 1969 — Sold for $1,512
Nice John Wayne 7.25″ x 9.25″ black and white matte signed photo. Here, the actor poses in his 1969 “True Grit” role as the patch-eyed Rooster Cogburn — a role which won him an Academy Award in 1969. Signed in green ink: “Richard — My Best John Wayne 1977”. Photo is in fine condition. Sold for $1,512.
Signed Contract From “Big Jake” — Sold for $1,500
Original John Wayne contract signed for the 1971 film “Big Jake,” dated 23 September 1968. Contract between Wayne and Batjac Productions casts him as “Jacob McCandles” in the “Million Dollar Kidnapping,” which was the working title for what became “Big Jake.” Contract also establishes his compensation for the film and has a bold, clear “John Wayne” signature in blue ink on the last page. Contract measures 8.5″ x 11″ on 8pp. with a staple and holes punched at top. Near fine condition. Sold for $1,500.
Signed & Inscribed Photo Given to Jack Swigert — Sold for $1,375
John Wayne signed and inscribed photo to astronaut Jack Swigert. 10” x 8” matte photo depicts John Wayne posing in an eye patch and cowboy hat on set of one of his iconic western films. Inscribed in black ink to upper right, ”John — This is a new contraption to keep you from seeing double after a night of you know what. / Duke / John Wayne / 1970”. Includes an Old Tucson Motion Picture Locations and Sound Stage COA. From the personal estate of Jack Swigert. Near fine. Sold for $1,375.
Signed Photo — Sold for $1,201
Handsome John Wayne 8″ x 10″ sepia matte photo. Inscribed and signed in black ink: “Best of Everything / Tony + Madeline / John Wayne”. Photo has a very slight crease to top right corner and numerous white specks throughout where the finish has come off. Very good condition. Sold for $1,201.
Typed Letter Signed — Sold for $1,180
John Wayne letter signed, featuring his distinctive, large signature. On Wayne’s personal embossed stationery, dated 27 August 1973, Wayne is “interested in purchasing 10 per cent of the word market stock of Hair Trigger, Inc.” Earlier that month, Wayne had agreed to allow Hair Trigger to use his name, likeness and endorsement for all advertising outside of the United States and Canada; he clearly (and no doubt accurately) believed his endorsement would raise their stock price. Single page measures 7.25″ x 10″. Folds and spot of discoloration, overall in very good condition. Sold for $1,180.
Signed 20th Century Fox Contract — Sold for $1,177
John Wayne 20th Century Fox contract signed “John Wayne” in blue ink. Agreement pertains to his lead role in the 1958 film, “The Barbarian and the Geisha”. The Duke played “Townsend Harris” in the film, the first U.S. Consul-General to Japan, where the story takes place. Contract delineates an alteration to Wayne’s commitment to four films for 20th Century Fox: though “The Barbarian and the Geisha” was the first film shot, it is to be counted as the fourth, so long as the remaining three films get made, as this affects payment schedule. Countersigned by 20th Century Fox’s executive manager and rubber stamped by the studio’s legal department. Runs 2pp. on 2 sheets. Toning, filing holes to top edge and pencil notation to upper right of first page. Very good. Sold for $1,177.
To auction, sell or consign your John Wayne autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com). Learn about some John Wayne film memorabilia we’ve sold.
FAQs
Why are John Wayne autographs so popular?
John Wayne was part of Hollywood’s Golden age as well as the silent film era. His autograph is coveted by cinema collectors and Western fanatics alike.
How much is my John Wayne autograph worth?
The value of your John Wayne autograph depends on the item’s condition and the subject matter.