Collecting-Autographs.info

Howard Hughes and his Bank Signature Card

Howard Hughes autographs are scarce. In 1951, when Howard Hughes autographed his bank signature card after moving to California, he was earning over $2 million a month and would soon become one of America's first billionaires. Although Hughes spent almost no time in Texas after the 1930s, he continued to list it as the location of his permanent residence.

The foundation of the Hughes fortune was the Hughes Tool Company in Houston, Texas, founded by his father Howard Hughes Sr. After Hughes Sr. died, his son had the enviable luxury of having a steady stream of tremendous income without direct managerial responsibility.

Hughes moved to southern California and lived briefly with his screenwriter uncle Rupert Hughes. Enamored with Hollywood, Hughes financed and produced motion pictures, and dated some of Hollywood's most glamorous women such as Billie Dove, Ava Gardner, and Kathryn Hepburn.

Hughes founded the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1932. The Hughes Aircraft Company produced the famous Spruce Goose transport aircarft. Hughes's popularity soard and an alleged autobiography allegedly written with the cooperation of Clifford Irvind was proven false. While in prison Irving wrote, "it's harder to get to the Oracle at Delphi than it is Hughes." Lockheed executive Jack Real was the only man who came to know Howard Hughes on a deeply personal level.

Hughes founded the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the largest nonprofit institution in the world until the Gates Foundation came into existence. The Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, California, spawned a number of useful devices including the laser, invented by Ted Maiman in 1960.

Howard Hughes left behind a matchless legacy and an unrivaled record of accomplishment that is described in Money Secrets of the Rich and Famous. Howard Hughes and his bank signature card reflects an interesting period of aviation and business in America.

Visit Famous-Celebrity-Autographs.com to view stock autographs of famous celebrities, and for loads of valuable information about autographs, autograph collecting, autograph buying-selling, and much more. Copyright (c) FamousChecks

Article Source: Collectibles-Articles.com

Autographs From The Famous Kissing Sailor on V-J Day

Autographs from the famous kissing sailor on V-J Day, August 14, 1945, signify a special moment in Times Square, New York City. President Harry Truman announced the end of the war and just moments later, Alfred Eisenstaedt and Victor Jorgenson took their famous photographs of a sailor passionately kissing a nurse in a white uniform. Their embracing pose represented the celebratory mood of America.

Eisenstaedt took the photograph at the intersection where Broadway and Seventh Avenue converge, while facing the famous building where the traditional New Year's ball rises to announce the end of a year and the beginning of a new one. Using his Leica camera, Eisenstaedt took the photograph because of the stark contrast between the sailor's dark uniform and the nurses white outfit. The photograph became a fabulous success and Eisenstaedt's eternal legacy.

Equally famous is a photograph of the same scene taken by U.S. Navy journalist Victor Jorgensen. Unlike the Eisenstaedt photograph that is copyright protected, the photograph taken by Jorgensen is in the public domain since it was taken by a federal government employee while on an official assignment.

The identity of the nurse in the picture is believed to be Los Angeles resident Edith Shain, although other women have claimed to be the nurse in the famous pose. Eleven men have laid claim to be the sailor in that famous Times Square pose. The two primary contenders are Carl Muscarello and Glenn E. McDuffie.

Carl Muscarello is a retired officer from the New York Police Department who claims that he kissed numerous women in Times Square on that joyous day. However, Edith Shain is not certain he was the one that kissed her. Carl Muscarello's autograph has appeared on numerous photographs of the scene in Times Square and occasionally on a check.

The other top contender for the kissing sailor is Glenn Edward McDuffie. McDuffie says that he cocked his wrist at the time of the photograph to give the photographer a better view of the nurse he kissed. McDuffie corroborated his claim as the kissing sailor when he identified two other sailors in the famous scene. Glenn McDuffie's autographs are scarce, but they have appeared on album pages and cancelled checks.

Autographs from the the famous kissing sailor and his nurse taken at Times Square on V-J Day are a touching reminder of America's celebratory mood that marked the end of the war.

Visit Famous-Celebrity-Autographs.com to view stock autographs of famous celebrities, and for loads of valuable information about autographs, autograph collecting, autograph buying-selling, and much more. Copyright (c) FamousChecks

Article Source: Collectibles-Articles.com

Mickey Mantle's Coveted Autograph

The name Mickey Mantle reflects one of the best players in baseball and one of the most desired autographs in the history of sports.

Mickey Mantle was one of the first baseball players to sign autographs at baseball shows for financial compensation. Mantle was top billing for numerous baseball shows and his autograph sold for more than many other baseball stars. In the early 1990s, Mantle's autograph on photos, gloves, and baseballs, were sold for more than $100.

Christy Mathewson's Valuable Autograph

Christy Mathewson is one of the legendary icons of baseball. Autographs of Mathewson are as popular as those of Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, or Lou Gehrig. Genuine autographs of Mathewson are extremely valuable and often sell for many thousands of dollars.

Because of his early death and other factors, genuine autographs by Mathewson are scarce. There are probably less than one hundred photographs that have an unquestionably authentic signature of Mathewson, and only a handful of single-signed baseballs signed by Mathewson. In April 2009, an auction house based in Texas sold a beautiful photograph signed by Mathewson for an impressive $41,825. Another auction house sold a baseball signed only by Mathewson for an amazing $161,000.

Babe Ruth's Storied Autograph

Babe Ruth is undoubtedly one of the greatest player in the history of baseball. Even children growing in the 21st century recognize the magical name of Babe Ruth. In an area before the use steroids and other performance enhancing drugs, there were feats that seemed to be superhuman. And the man most recognized for these amazing feats was Babe Ruth. Although Ruth could be criticized for eating too many hot dogs or his habit of reckless betting, his towering home runs were spectacular.

Signed Checks from Bernard Madoff

The greatest swindler of the 21st century (so far) has been Bernard Madoff. The monetary value of his securities fraud is estimated to be a staggering $50 billion. Madoff's nefarious activity victimized thousands of innocent investors. Madoff's mistress has said that Madoff has no remorse for the suffering of his victims.

Bobby Jones and his "Grand Slam" Autograph

Bobby Tyre Jones Jr. is acknowledged by many as the world's greatest amateur golfer. At the age of 14, Jones won his first tournament, the U.S. Amateur. Only fourteen years later, Jones gained fame for winning the first "Grand Slam" of golf. In that same year, Jones won the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, the British Open, and the British Amateur. Playing as an amateur, Jones won thirteen major tournaments held in America and Great Britain before retiring at the age of 28.

Hollywood Autographs from the Golden Era

Some movie buffs love collecting autographs from stars of the old time Hollywood movies. Since many of the dynamic visual effects that attract audiences today did not exist in the 30’s and 40’s, the intrigue and mastery of screen writing were of paramount importance. Fortunately, most of the actors and actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Era graciously and generously signed for autograph collectors.

Civil War Autographs from Gettysburg

Collecting Civil War autographs is a great way to connect and remember the valiant soldiers who had a key role in American history. Autographs from the famous and not-do-famous individuals from the North and South are available for collectors of Civil War memorabilia. Of particular interest are autographs from soldiers and officers from the Battle of Gettysburg.

Gettysburg was a battle that rivals the imagination in both intensity and enormity. The clash between the Northern Union Army and the Southern Confederate Army lasted four days. Over 35,000 soldiers from both sides were killed. This was more than the casualties suffered through the Korean War or Vietnam War.

Autographs From Buffalo Bill

Autographs from Buffalo Bill are among the most treasured personalities of the Old West. Buffalo Bill was a terrific showman and he readily signed programs and photos to promote himself and his Wild West Show. Organized in 1883, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show toured the United States and Europe for over 30 years.

The success of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show demonstrated his ability as a businessman and entertainer. Extravagantly staged battles between cowboys and Indians thrilled audiences. The Wild West Show also featured Annie Oakley who attracted millions of people to witness her amazing sharp shooting. In 1887, Buffalo Bill performed to packed crowds at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Charles Manson Autographs

Many handwriting experts have observed that Charles Manson autographs bear a striking resemblance to his psychological profile. In 1969, Charles Manson and his "family" of murderers were found guilty of committing a murder spree involving Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Steven Parent, Wojciech Frykowski, Leno LaBianca, Rosemary LaBianca. The gruesome murders shocked the country and Charles Manson become a perverse symbol of insanity and violence. Mason's notorious legacy and autographs have been subjects of intense study.

Just as in the case of John Gacy, Charles Mansion's legacy has developed into a twisted notoriety. Manson memorabilia is widely collected and his handwritten letters from prisons in San Quentin, Vacaville, Folsom, and Corcaran, California, sell for thousands of dollars.

Autographs from Arnold Schwarzenegger Support California

CaliforniaGovernor Arnold Schwarzenegger knows that his autograph has commercial value. As cash-strapped California struggles to rebuild a vibrant economy, Schwarzenegger has made efforts to raise money by selling items that are autographed by him.

Old cars owned by the State of California are being sold on Craigslist and Ebay. A 2001 Ford Focus with over 110,000 miles that was autographed by Governor Schwarzenegger on the window visor was recently sold to the highest bidder for an amazing $1,625.01.

Lottery Tickets Autographed by George Washington

In 1768, Washington saw an opportunity to commercialize his nearby landholdings when a lottery was organized to fund a mountain road. The mountain road was needed to provide access to the natural healing waters of Hot Springs and Warm Springs in Bath County. Washington served as manager of the lottery and signed lottery tickets to hopeful participants. Washington's signature on each lottery ticket added credibility to the lottery.

The Mountain Road Lottery was described by the Virginia Gazette as "A Scheme of a Lottery for raising the sum of nine hundred pounds, to make a road over the mountain to the warm and hot springs in Augusta county." The Mountain Road Lottery offered 62 cash awards, including a 1,000 pound first prize. Tickets were sold for 20 shillings, with "15 percent to be deducted from the Prizes." Washington recorded writing off 75 unsold tickets.

Autograph Glossary

In autograph-auction catalogues the following abbreviations are used to help describe the type of letter or document that is being offered for sale.

• AD: Autograph Document (hand-written by the person to be collected, but not signed)
• ADS: Autograph Document Signed (written and signed by same individual)
• AL: Autograph Letter (hand-written by the person to be collected, but not signed)
• ALS: Autograph Letter Signed (hand-written and signed by same individual)
• AMs: Autograph Manuscript (hand-written; such as the draft of a play, research paper or music sheet)
• AMsS: Autograph Manuscript Signed (hand-written and signed by same individual)
• AMusQs: Autograph Musical Quotation Signed (hand-written and signed by same individual)
• AN: Autograph Note (much shorter than a letter)
• ANS: Autograph Note Signed (hand-written and signed by same individual)