Ronald Reagan
40th President of the United States and Hollywood Actor · Politics and Entertainment
Warner Bros. Studios / Republican Party
Era
Hollywood Era - circa 1940s
Item Type
Studio Publicity Photo
Condition
Very Good; the item shows a noticeable vertical crease/tear at the top edge and light edge wear. The signature remains bold with no significant fading.
Rarity
Moderate; while Reagan signed extensively, early Hollywood-era photos with clean inscriptions are less common than his later Presidential-office secretarial/autopen items.
Overall Assessment
A very desirable authentic example of a young Reagan. Despite the condition issues at the top of the photo, the signature itself is excellent and represents a prime period of his life.
Authenticity Assessment
Likely authentic; signature exhibits the fluid script and specific letter formations consistent with Reagan's early hand before the more rigid style of his political years. Confidence: High.
Signature Style
Full name with inscription "Good Luck" in a classic, legible cursive script. The slant is upward and to the right, consistent with his mid-century signing habits.
Signature Characteristics
Fluid baseline, high looping ‘R’ in Reagan, and a distinct disconnected 'd' in Ronald. The 'Luck' shows a natural pen lift characteristic of his early handwriting.
Ink & Medium
Black fountain pen or steel-tip pen on semi-glossy cardstock or postcard paper. The ink shows natural absorption into the paper fibers without the modern 'beading' seen in felt-tip markers.
Item Description
A black and white promotional postcard or studio photograph featuring a young Ronald Reagan in a heavy overcoat, likely from his tenure at Warner Bros.
Estimated Value
$600 - $900 USD
Comparison to Known Examples
Matches high-quality Hollywood exemplars from the late 1930s to mid-1940s. The 'R' formations are the primary matching markers.
Authentication Tips
Look for the specific 'R' loop in Ronald and the way the ' Reagan' flows into a sharp 'g'. Beware of later secretarial signatures which became more vertical and compressed.
Certification Recommendation
PSA/DNA or JSA (James Spence Authentication). Both are industry leaders for Presidential and Hollywood autographs.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; the ink flow and pressure indicate a natural hand-signed origin rather than a stamp or autopen.
Provenance Notes
Tracing this to a studio fan mail response or a 1940s era collector would solidify value. Postcard backings often have printing that helps date the piece.
Historical Context
Signed during Reagan's rise in Hollywood before he became the President of the Screen Actors Guild and eventually entered politics.
Market Trends
Stable to slightly appreciating. Reagan's dual-market appeal (Political and Hollywood) keeps demand high among varied collector bases.
Investment Potential
Moderate to High; as a top-tier U.S. President, his authentic hand-signed material has a high floor for value and consistent long-term demand.
Similar Autographs
Jane Wyman (his first wife), John F. Kennedy (early career), or contemporary Warner Bros. stars like Errol Flynn.
Display & Preservation
Store in a PVC-free archival top-loader and keep away from direct sunlight to prevent the fountain pen ink from fading.
Interesting Facts
Reagan is known for having one of the most widely 'faked' signatures via autopen during his Presidency, making these earlier, hand-signed Hollywood pieces highly desirable for their authenticity.