Today is James Dean’s birthday, and he would have been 85. It is hard to believe he has been deceased for 61 years. His autograph is the most valuable deceased autograph in the world today. Between 2000 – 2015 Dean’s autographed has increased by 1025% and today at auction or private sale his autographed items sell for up to £18,000
James Byron Dean was an American film actor since regarded as a cultural icon thanks to his roles in classic movies including Rebel Without a Cause (1955), East of Eden (1955) and Giant (1956). Dean’s legacy rests primarily on these films, filmed prior to his death in a car crash aged 24. Memorabilia dealers have often referred to “the James Dean effect” when the death of an enduring icon causes the values of their memorabilia to appreciate over time.
He was the first actor to receive a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and remains the only person to have two posthumous acting nominations. The American Film Institute ranked him the 18th best male movie star on their AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Stars list in 2009. According to Forbes Magazine’s Top Earners for 2004 list. Dean’s estate still earns about $5,000,000 per year.
James Dean autograph is the most valuable deceased autograph with the market today. Because he was only 24 when he died, and was only really famous from 6 months prior to his death, he did not really have the time to sign for fans. Non Autographed items also fetch high prices at auction;
Jeans worn by James Dean in Giant were sold for $35,850 at Heritage Auction Galleries in October 2006. The coat jacket worn by James Dean in East of Eden was also sold by Heritage Auction Galleries in October 2006. It was bought for $26,680. The same auction also saw a pair of trousers that Dean wore in East of Eden sell for $15,535.
(Photo: Dennis Stock/Magnum Photos) Great candid image or just a publicity stunt? Dennis Stock captured this iconic James Dean pic back in 1955 on a rainy day in Times Square. Allegedly, it took some convincing from the photographer to get Dean to stroll down the block in the miserable weather. Whether it was candid or on cue, the image captured one heckuva look on Dean’s face.
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