Ronald Reagan
40th President of the United States and Hollywood Actor · Politics and Entertainment
Warner Bros. Studios / Republican Party
Era
Hollywood Era - circa 1940s-1950s
Item Type
Studio Publicity Photograph
Condition
Excellent/Very Good. The photo has minimal edge wear and a small crease at the top, but the signature is clear and sits in a light-colored area of the coat, providing excellent contrast.
Rarity
Moderate. While he signed many photos during his acting career, high-quality, authentic Hollywood-era portraits are increasingly sought after by both political and classic film collectors.
Overall Assessment
An excellent authentic example of a Ronald Reagan signature from his prime Hollywood years. It is highly desirable due to the clarity of the ink and the iconic subject matter.
Authenticity Assessment
Highly likely authentic. The signature displays natural flow, spontaneous movement, and correct letter formations consistent with his early handwriting before the onset of age-related tremor or the simplified style of his presidency.
Signature Style
Full name signature with a common inscription 'Good Luck'. The style is elegant and upright, featuring the characteristic high-loop 'R' and the connected but legible 'eagan'.
Signature Characteristics
Smooth baseline, consistent letter slant to the right, and the distinctive 'ld' in Ronald which typically trails off into a fluid stroke connecting into the 'R' of Reagan.
Ink & Medium
Early vintage ink, likely fountain pen or early ballpoint, on a semi-glossy studio promotional photograph. The ink shows appropriate absorption into the paper fibers for an item of this age.
Item Description
A classic black-and-white promotional portrait of a young Ronald Reagan wearing a trench coat, likely for a film promotion such as 'Kings Row' or 'Knute Rockne, All American'.
Estimated Value
$600 - $1,200 USD (higher if authenticated by JSA or PSA/DNA)
Comparison to Known Examples
Matches high-quality Hollywood-era exemplars perfectly, specifically the way he looped the 'g' and finished the final 'n' with a slight downward taper.
Authentication Tips
Look for the specific 'R' structure where the pen creates a sharp angle at the top. Authentic examples lack the 'shakiness' found in his later 1980s and 90s signatures. Beware of secretarial signatures from his time as Governor or President, though this era predates much of that volume.
Certification Recommendation
PSA/DNA or JSA (James Spence Authentication). These are the industry standard for presidential and vintage Hollywood autographs.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed. The ink shows no signs of 'stutter' or the 'pooling' often seen in modern felt-tip forgeries.
Provenance Notes
Ideally, this would be accompanied by a letter stating it was obtained via mail or in person at a studio in the 1940s/50s.
Historical Context
This item represents Reagan before he became 'The Great Communicator.' It captures the period when he was a prominent B-list leading man and President of the Screen Actors Guild.
Market Trends
Presidential autographs from their pre-political careers are a strong niche market. Hollywood Reagan items have seen a steady 5-10% annual appreciation due to his enduring status as a conservative icon.
Investment Potential
Strong. Pre-presidential material remains a primary target for historical collectors looking for 'bridge' items that span both film and political history.
Similar Autographs
John F. Kennedy (early Senate era), Richard Nixon (VP era), or fellow actors from the Golden Age like Jimmy Stewart.
Display & Preservation
Use UV-protective glass and acid-free archival matting to prevent the black-and-white photo from silvering or the ink from fading.
Interesting Facts
Reagan was a prolific correspondent and personally signed a high volume of mail early in his career, though he eventually used one of the first Autopen machines during his presidency.