How much is a vivien leigh autograph worth?

Answer 1

An autograph album leaf signed by BOTH Vivien Leigh and (Sir) Laurence Olivier can run upwards of $1,000. Unfortunately, Leigh's correspondence was so voluminous that she often turned to secretaries. There also are forgeries on the market. Potential buyers should exercise caution whenever considering the purchase of a Vivien Leigh autograph. There are several excellent (out of print) signature reference books -- one published by Steven Raab. Profiles In History, Los Angeles, published a voluminous signature reference catalogue in the early 1990s.

Ron Weekes
WEEKES Autographs

Just to disagree with Ron for a moment, Vivien Leigh was indeed a prolific letter writer but she NEVER turned to secretaries. The biggest danger the would-be collector of her autograph faces is forgeries.

Here it can get quite difficult for the collector because Leigh had around four signing styles over her life, with variations on each, and reference books that present only one of these can lead you to dismiss as forgeries authentic examples.

Leigh was a very generous signer for her fans and would stand at the stage door after a performance until every last album had been signed. She would even be pleasant to fans when rudely pestered in restaurants.

There's therefore a lot of material out there to be bought. Over here in the UK a simple signature on an album page can be bought for around £150 (though, of course, there are always dealers to be found who charge more).

Curiously enough, the addition of Laurence Olivier to a page doesn't really add to its value! Jointly signed pages sign for about the same as a Leigh-only page!

I have a large personal collection of Vivien Leigh signed material, spanning the whole of her career, with every imaginable authentic signature variation.

I would be happy to pass an opinion without charge to anyone who sends a scan to me at: charles@clickautographs.com