Ronald Reagan
40th President of the United States · Politics - U.S. Presidents / Entertainment - Film
Republican Party / Governor of California / Warner Bros.
Era
Late career / Retirement period - circa 1990-1994
Item Type
Personal stationery or official correspondence card
Condition
Excellent. The signature is bold and dark with no visible fading. The card appears clean with sharp edges, graded as Near Mint (NM).
Rarity
Moderate. While a prolific signer, Reagan's authentic hand-signed items are highly sought after compared to his numerous autopen and secretarial examples.
Overall Assessment
This is a high-quality, likely authentic signature of one of the 20th century's most influential leaders. It is an ideal piece for a serious political collector.
Authenticity Assessment
Likely authentic. The signature displays Reagan's characteristic 'stretchy' baseline and the specific formation of the capital 'R' and terminal 'n'. Confidence: 85%.
Signature Style
Stylized full name (Ronald Reagan), featuring a sharp 'R' cross-stroke and a trailing, horizontal baseline flourish typical of his post-presidency hand.
Signature Characteristics
Fluid motion with a slight right-leaning slant. The 'R' in Ronald has a distinct sharp angle at the bottom, and the 'n' at the end of the signature tapers off into a long, straight horizontal line.
Ink & Medium
Black fiber-tip or rollerball pen on high-quality cream cardstock. The ink saturation is consistent with pens Reagan used for personal correspondence.
Item Description
A heavy-weight cream-colored card featuring a micro-printed security line and the 'MP' (MicroPrint) indicator in the bottom right corner, suggesting an official document or secure stationery.
Estimated Value
$400 - $700
Comparison to Known Examples
This example matches well with verified hand-signed Reagan correspondence from the early 1990s, before his signature became shakier due to Alzheimer's.
Authentication Tips
Look for the specific upward hook at the end of the 'n' in Reagan. Autopen examples of Reagan's signature are very common; check for uniform ink distribution and 'robotic' pressure points.
Certification Recommendation
PSA/DNA or JSA (James Spence Authentication). Both are industry leaders in Presidential autographs.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed. The flow is natural and lacks the 'stop-start' hesitation marks typical of forgeries.
Provenance Notes
Official Reagan Library correspondence or items coming from former staffers or political donors significantly increase the value and certainty of the piece.
Historical Context
Signed during Reagan's transition from the White House to his private office in Los Angeles, reflecting his enduring status as the 'Great Communicator'.
Market Trends
Stable. U.S. Presidential signatures remain the bedrock of the historical memorabilia market, with Reagan remaining one of the most popular 20th-century figures.
Investment Potential
Moderate to High. Presidential autographs historically appreciate, especially for iconic figures like Ronald Reagan.
Similar Autographs
George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Nancy Reagan.
Display & Preservation
Display in a UV-protected frame with acid-free matting to prevent the high-quality cardstock from yellowing over time.
Interesting Facts
Reagan was known for personally answering a high volume of fan mail, though he utilized several different autopen templates for standard requests.