It is probably safe to state that
no artist in the history of comic books has written his signature
as often as Carl Barks. And yet it was only in the latter part of
his life that he was asked for signatures on his work as well as
regular autographs. Considering his growing popularity among both
old and new fans it is not surprising that his signature on a
piece of work is one of the most treasured mementos of the great
man and its value is even today increasing swiftly.
The signature events can roughly be divided into two main groups:
1. The often chaotic signing of fans' books and magazines during
travels and comic cons, and 2.The organized signing of official
books, serigraphs, and lithographs, for which Barks would usually
take 7-9 dollars each - This page presents you to examples from
both groups.
FANS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
During the last 30 years of his life Barks was a celebrity who, in popularity, could arguably compete with many actors, pop stars, and sports figures. And his distinct autograph soon became a 'must have' for many of his dedicated fans. With the introduction of lithographs of his duck paintings his worshippers got a golden chance to acquire the master's signature. Here are a number of photos depicting Barks autographing books and magazines, and the Internet carries even more. If you are interested in attending a 'live' session the Internet is also the place to go. One example from Sweden in 1994 can be savoured HERE. |
LITHOGRAPHS | |||||
Barks, in his home, signing two stacks of lithographs: The coloured version of 'Nude with a Hat' (1939) and 42-78 The Caliph of Baghdad. |
SERIGRAPHS | ||||||||||||||||||
Barks' serigraphs from the 1990s
were commissioned by The Walt Disney Company,
and this small chronological suite of photographs from
his home show Barks' signature session for the second
serigraph 141-1994 Rich Finds at Inventory Time.
The serigraphs consist of three editions as illustrated;
the Regular edition (500 pieces), the Remarque edition (100
pieces) (see more HERE), and the Deluxe edition (50
pieces). The latter was printed on black pigmented (Chat
Noir) paper with hand-torn edges! |
BONUS | |
It was The Walt Disney Company
that bought the serigraph rights for 141-1994
Rich Finds at Inventory Time. The price was 75,000
dollars. After Barks' signings Disney made sure that the
excess copies were properly destroyed. To that end they
furnished Barks with photographs proving the destruction. |
EXTRA | |||||||||||||||
There are more ways than one to preserve one's signature for prosperity. Here is a suite of photographs depicting one session where Barks used hand signs(!). The images were taken at the Vintage Animation Gallery, Santa Monica, California, on December 6, 1993. See other examples HERE and HERE (middle sections). |
http://www.cbarks.dk/THESIGNATURESESSIONS.htm | Date 2010-06-23 |