Posts from itdo in thread „Ebay Finds“

While the Republic plates are certainly nice, I believe the artist the Wayne family commissioned to do the official plates, Robert Tanenbaum, captured him best.

Hey Arthur, seeing that list of fine performers makes me want to right them autograph-seeking letters right now - something I stopped years ago, because - you know: the stars would send you stamped letters, secreterial autographs, you name it. It's different though with performers like these. An ugly word would be has-beens. But it's really the stars who now finally have the time to respond that are interesting. Nothing beats a signature that you get face-to-face. Yet from Vera Miles I once received a handwritten letter - and that certainly looks nice in a frame with a picture of "Hallie"! Harry Carey jr. goes that extra-mile, too, to respond. So, thanks for the addresses!

To be absolutely sure, a signed contract is the best. Costly maybe, but then again it's worth a lot to be 100 percent sure of what you got hanging there at the wall and looking at it for years is the real thing. Even the shadow of a doubt can spoil such a thing. I always (well, almost, when the occasion is not too embarrassing) ask a celebrity for his signature when I have the chance to meet them in person.
One of my favorite autographed things is the pressbook of The Alamo which I carried to the Reunion in 1998 and had all the people sign the group picture in their respective places.

Neil Summers signed his "Candid Cowboy" books in advance, which I think is nice (did he ever do a 3rd volume?).
I would write to JW co-workers - if I had the addresses. You don't think that you could........

Attention with those signed photos, newbie.

Arthur: I bought the Marengo DVD of "Shadow of the Eagle", and it's lousy. They actually cut out the cliffhangers, putting together the serial to one whole picture (which stupid idiot would do that?). Stick with the VHS on this one, on the 2 tape version the serial is complete.

That's an interesting item to look at - even if you're not intending to buy:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...1&category=4008

At first, it was listed as JOHN WAYNE'S COAT FROM RED RIVER
which a little research can proove it's not (the collar is missing, among other things).
The description went something like: John Wayne "threw this in the poker pot" one night at filming of Red River. Now that's pure folklore. Stars usually don't give away costumes WHICH THEY DON'T OWE, especially when they were RENTED OUT from Western Costume. After a couple of days, the auction was pulled and re-entered as George O'Brien, Wayne's old pal and one of Ford's first stars ("The Iron Horse"), and rightfully so. Still: the story of the poker round remains in the description - even though now it's not claimed that Wayne wore it (and George O'Brien had a bigger chest-size than Wayne but was smaller in length, so...)

Don't you just hate auctions with a reserve, too?

Here's the "Alamo Movies" book by Frank Thompson, an interesting read that tells you all about the Alamo films from the silents to present - excluding the new one, of course, yet to come. But if you're interested in how the story of the Alamo was put on film (for instance, he compares the "Travis Draws the Line" scene from the different movies), then that one's for you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...&category=29309

Oh yeah, by the way, if we should meet at ebay, my handle is ROLIKID.

John Wayne comics almost always sell for more than 100 bucks. The die-hard-collectors are especially looking for mint condition. There is one exception however, to get an original John Wayne comic for less, and those are the original John Wayne Adventure Annuals, printed in the UK. Most often, the sellers are in the UK, so I guess that's the reason why American buyers shy away - they have enough offers within the US. There were only 5 hardcover books in this series, and those books are really a great joy - even if you're not a comic enthusiast in general, it's interesting to analyze how they sold JW as a kiddie idol.
One of these is currently on ebay - with a starting bid of less than a buck. Normally, there aren't too many bidders on those, so here's the chance to get one real cheap:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...75&category=197

35 bucks would certainly not be too much for the mug, but look out: that's not one of the personal mugs Wayne gave out (which sell for around a thousand). Those McQ mugs are a little too often on ebay for my taste...
The mug doesn't have the golden handle. Also: always look at the bottom for the sign of the maker, Wayne always used the same shop.

By the way, most often a friendly email asking the seller if you may bid even if not on US soil helps, I never had problems when I promise to pay all additional shipping cost - which is normal anyway.

Enjoy the Mad Magazine, I know you'll love it!

I think we should point out JW things that aren't on every day, but the real finds. Or things we know are normally more expansive, so it might be a good buy for one of us.
Many Wayne fakes have been on Ebay last year, these might also be interesting to discuss. I could just puke when I see what those buyers pay to get forgery.

Searching JW on Ebay will take you hours and hours... but together our members could point out to each other the more interesting finds. If this post gets some reaction, I might even be pinned by our moderators...?

So I'll jump start you with this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...3&category=3969

that's a great parody on The Alamo in MAD MAGAZINE, 1961, with great artwork by one of MAD's very best, Mort Drucker. You'll notice that in those early days they tried to be careful: The name John Wayne is never spelled out - it's John WAYDE. Cowards!!!

(of course, I'm only going to point out JW stuff that I'm not bidding on myself. I'm not stupid, y'know!)