Collector's Treasure of the Day - Happy Birthday Jason Mewes

Jay and Silent Bob: Chasing Dogma Hand-Signed Limited Edition

Happy birthday today to Jason Mewes - the actor best known as Jay - the loquacious half of the duo Jay and Silent Bob in Kevin Smith's films. Our Collector's Treasure of the Day is the limited edition hardcover book Jay & Silent Bob: Chasing Dogma. The graphic novel features the segue between films Chasing Amy and Dogma. Limited to just 5000 copies, each features a special, numbered color plate hand-signed by Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes and artist Duncan Fegredo.

Clerks: The Limited Hardcover Book Autographed by Kevin Smith and Jim Mahfood

Collector's Treasure of the Day - Happy Birthday Gene Wilder

Willy Wonka Autographed Cast Photo

Happy birthday today to actor Gene Wilder - best known for his roles in the films Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Producers, Silver Streak, and Young Frankenstein. Our Collector's Treasure of the Day is an 8 x 10 inch color glossy photo from the classic 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory that has been hand-signed by stars Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket), Michael Bollner (Augustus Gloop), Paris Themmen (Mike Teevee), Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt), and Denise Nickerson (Violet Beauregarde). Provenance Hollywood Show Cast Reunion.

Collector's Treasure of the Day - Happy Birthday Maurice Sendak

Dracula Limited Edition Print Signed by Maurice Sendak

Today marks the birthday of Maurice Sendak (1928 - 2012), the incomparable writer and illustrator of children's literature, best known for his book Where the Wild Things Are (1963). Our Collector's Treasure of the Day is a rare broadside with full-color design for the centenary exhibition of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula at the Rosenbach Museum and Library. Printed on fine textured drawing paper, autographed by Maurice Sendak in ink and limited to 100 numbered copies.

Herman Melville’s Pierre Dustjacket Design Color Proof Signed by Maurice Sendak

Brothers Grimm Limited Edition Print Signed by Maurice Sendak

Adventures in Autograph Collecting with Jackie Chan

Last Monday evening, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - the folks who hold the Oscars - gave a salute to martial arts superstar Jackie Chan (Rush Hour, Kung Fu Panda, Rumble in the Bronx, Shanghai Noon, Legend of Drunken Master). I was lucky enough to be in the second row for the onstage conversation between Jackie and founder of the Los Angeles Times Hero Complex film festival and EW's CapeTown Geoff Boucher. It was an incredible evening followed by a screening of the Academy's print of Police Story III - Supercop (1992). They showed the full version released in Hong Kong with 10 extra minutes - not the truncated version that was released here in the U.S.! Ok, I'm showing my true "film nerd" colors here. However, what really made it all so special was Jackie's engaging storytelling during his onstage interview. Jackie Chan is so naturally personable, so funny, so animated - it was a blast to see him in person.

What touched me the most was his answer to the question about his favorite movie. Was it some kick-ass martial arts flick? No, it was the classic Hollywood musical The Sound of Music. He said that he'd seen it countless times. When he was a child, even though he didn't understand the English dialogue he could still follow the story. He loved the music, too, and started in with a rendition of "Do-Re-Mi". He even had a poster from the film in his office, which he wished he could get autographed by the cast. He didn't think that was possible, though - he didn't have any idea where they all were. Were they even still alive? I almost jumped out of my seat! I had just the thing for him!

Last year, all of the actors who played the Von Trapp children got together for a reunion at The Hollywood Show in Burbank, CA. Collector's Shangri-La still had one cast photo left signed by all 7 - Charmian Carr, Nicholas Hammond, Heather Menzies, Duane Chase, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, and Kym Karath.

Sound of Music Photo Signed by Cast of Seven

I thought of approaching him after his talk, but he was mobbed by autograph hounds and quickly ushered backstage. I think he may have had time to sign something for a couple of children in the audience, but certainly didn't have the ability to chat with me.

Coincidentally, I had a friend working on set with him the next day for a film shoot, but she wasn't in a position to approach him. Luckily, the Academy was able to connect me with his agent over at the William Morris Agency, and we arranged to trade a few of Jackie's own autographed photos for The Sound of Music photo. I dropped it by Jackie's hotel today in Beverly Hills, just in time for him to head back to Hong Kong tomorrow. I like to think of it hanging up in his office next to his prized poster. That's the mission of Collector's Shangri-La - connecting people with their passions. I hope I made Jackie's day. He certainly made mine.

Jackie Chan Autographed Photo

Many Rolling Stones Autographs Were Forged by Other Members of the Band

The Rolling Stones, Hyde Park, 1969 by Barrie Wentzell

In a new interview with Rolling Stone magazine, former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman reveals the secrets of the band's autograph sessions in the 1960s.  He acknowledges that the band would all sign each other's names on memorabilia to cut down time spent signing items. What do you think - is a Bill Wyman autograph signed by Mick Jagger worth more or less than the "authentic" one?

According to Wyman, "...there were stacks and stacks of autographed books, programs to be signed, and we just used to grab a bunch each and sign everybody's name. We all learned to sign each other's signatures (laughs). Except for Charlie. He wouldn't sign anything. But me, Keith, Mick and Brian all could sign each other's autographs. When I see them now for sale, I know that, you know, two of them are not theirs – originals and all that. But it was the only way to do it, because you couldn't pass this stuff around. You didn't have time. You were onstage in 10 minutes."

This sort of practice isn't all that uncommon. Classic movie star Jean Harlow famously had her mother sign many of her autographs, but experts know that her mother had a very bold way of writing while Jean's writing was more of a scrawl. This just goes to demonstrate how important it is to know the signing habits of a particular celebrity if you (or your trusted autograph dealer like Collector's Shangri-La) aren't there in person to witness the actual signing. 

Collector's Shangri-La June Newsletter - 10% Off for Dads and Grads

It's mid-year gift-giving season - graduations, weddings, Father's Day! To ease the burden on your pocketbook, we've made EVERYTHING 10% OFF from now through June 7!

Check out our June Newsletter for the Coupon Code - and while you're there, don't forget to subscribe!

Collector's Calendar for June 2013

Collector's Shangri-La provides a monthly calendar of selected celebrity autograph signings, collector's conventions, and other events through our blog at: http://collectorsshangrila.blogspot.com/

Sign up to follow our blog to stay up-to-date!

Excelsior! Book Autographed by Stan Lee

5/30/2013 - 6/2/2013 Wizard World at the Pennsylvania Convention Center - Philadelphia, PA.

Scheduled guests include: Stan Lee, William Shatner, Henry Winkler, Manu Bennett, James Marsters, Shannen Doherty, Brandon Routh, Dean Cain, Ray Park, and many more.

NASA: The Complete Illustrated History Autographed by Buzz Aldrin

6/1/2013 11:00 AM at the National Air & Space Museum. Washington DC.
6/2/2013 2:00 PM at the Montclair Public Library - South Fullerton Avenue. Montclair, NJ.
6/8/2013 1:00 PM at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library - Presidential Drive. Simi Vally, CA.
6/11/2013 6:00 PM at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library - Yorba Linda Blvd. Yorba Linda, CA.
6/22/2013 at the C.R. Smith Museum - Highway 360. Fort Worth, TX.
Buzz Aldrin, astronaut, signing his book Mission To Mars

6/5/2013 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - East 17th Street. New York, NY.
Ralph Nader, political activist, signing his book Told You So 

6/15/2013 2:00 PM at Dark Delicacies - West Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA.
William Friedkin, filmmaker "The Exorcist" and "The French Connection", signing his memoir The Friedkin Connection

6/17/2013 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Warren Street. New York, NY.
Darlene Love, pop singer and actress, signing her book My Name Is Love

6/17/2013 7:00 PM at Book Soup - Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA.
Gary U.S. Bonds, rock and roll singer-songwriter, signing his book By U.S. Bonds: That's My Story

Tattoo City San Francisco Autographed by Don Ed Hardy

6/18/2013 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Warren Street. New York, NY.
6/24/2013 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - 3rd Street Promenade. Santa Monica, CA.
6/25/2013 7:00 PM at Book Soup - Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA
Don Ed Hardy, tattoo artist and apparel entrepreneur, signing his book Wear Your Dreams: My Life in Tattoos

Fantasy Worlds Limited Edition Portfolio Signed by Alex Niño

6/23/2013 LA Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention at the Shrine Auditorium - Los Angeles, CA.
Scheduled guests include: cast members of AMC's The Walking Dead and MTV's Teen Wolf, artist Alex Nino, Butch Patrick, Richard Anderson, and many more.

Weird Al: The Book Hand-Signed by Weird Al Yankovic

6/23/2013 2:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – HarMar Mall. Roseville, MN.
6/25/2013 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Brookfield Square Mall. Brookfield, WI.
Weird Al Yankovic, musical parodist, signing his book My New Teacher And Me!

6/27/2013 7:00 PM at Book Soup - Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA.
William Stout, fantasy illustrator, signing his book Legends of the Blues

Night of the Living Dead Poster Autographed / Hand-Signed by 6

6/29/2013 Pittsburgh Comics and Collectibles Show at the Pittsburgh Mills - Pittsburg, PA.
Scheduled guests include: Doug Bradley, artist Ron Frenz, Night of the Living Dead screenwriter John A. Russo, and many more.

Information sometimes changes. Before showing up, please contact the event location to verify accuracy, and let us know if there are any errors in our listing. Thanks!