Bruce Lee and Van Williams
Martial Arts Icon (Lee) and Lead Actor of The Green Hornet (Williams) · Film & Television
The Green Hornet (ABC TV Series)
Era
Circa 1966-1967
Item Type
The Green Hornet Playing Card
Condition
Very Good (VG); noticeable corner wear, yellowing of the card stock, and heavy scratching on the acrylic display case.
Rarity
Extremely rare; dual-signed items featuring both Lee and Williams together are scarce.
Overall Assessment
A remarkable find of a dual-signed item from a culturally significant TV series; high desirability for Bruce Lee collectors.
Authenticity Assessment
Likely authentic based on ink flow and letter formation; requires professional authentication due to extremely high forgery rates for Bruce Lee.
Signature Style
Full cursive signatures; Bruce Lee's 'B' and 'L' show characteristic loops; Van Williams' signature is a vertical scrawl.
Signature Characteristics
Lee's signature shows a fluid, ascending baseline; Williams' is more compressed and vertical.
Ink & Medium
Blue and black ballpoint ink on a glossy/coated playing card stock.
Item Description
Promotional playing card (8 of Hearts) featuring Bruce Lee as Kato and Van Williams as the Green Hornet.
Estimated Value
$15,000 - $25,000 (if fully authenticated)
Comparison to Known Examples
Consistent with authentic 1960s exemplars; the 'L' in Lee matches known 1966-67 patterns.
Authentication Tips
Examine the 'u-c-e' in Bruce for fluid connection; check for 'stop-start' hesitation marks characteristic of forgeries.
Certification Recommendation
PSA/DNA or Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)
Red Flags
No immediate red flags, though the 'B' in Bruce is slightly more closed than some late-era variants.
Provenance Notes
Essential for Bruce Lee items; documentation of how it was obtained on set or at a press event would triple value.
Historical Context
Signed during the brief 1966-1967 run of the Green Hornet series that introduced Lee to America.
Market Trends
Bruce Lee autographs are currently at record highs due to fixed supply and global icon status.
Investment Potential
Excellent; Bruce Lee is one of the most blue-chip names in the autograph market.
Similar Autographs
Signed Green Hornet scripts, 1966 Donruss Green Hornet cards.
Display & Preservation
Remove from the scratched acrylic and place in an archival UV-protected case with acid-free backing.
Interesting Facts
Lee often signed with his Chinese name or 'Kato' during this period; English-only signatures on show memorabilia are highly sought after.