jason1980s
Main Eventer
Joined on: Sept 30, 2009 14:58:56 GMT -5
Posts: 2,311
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Post by jason1980s on Feb 9, 2019 17:08:37 GMT -5
Does anyone remember the Toy Fair 1991 review in the back of one of the WWF magazines (I think April 1991 issue).
I think it was two or so pages of photos with one being Andre sitting at a table with a stack of promo photos.
I wonder how many autographs Andre signed that day and if those photos are still in the hands of the people there at the show. You really don't see a lot of Andre autographs and the ones you do see who really knows if those are real? You see a lot of reprints offered for sale and even though his autograph was pretty awesome looking, it doesn't look that hard to forge. But forget about fake ones, what about the real ones?
If he signed all the photos at the show, there should definitely be a lot available unless the owners are holding on to them. I think you're more likely to see album page papers signed by Andre as opposed to promo photos especially since those were more from his heel days and many accounts have him being tough towards autograph seekers during his later years.
I'm curious if anyone has any memories of this toy fair, specifically Andre's appearance.
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GoldenHulk
Main Eventer
Joined on: May 8, 2004 8:43:19 GMT -5
Posts: 1,197
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Post by GoldenHulk on Feb 10, 2019 0:20:58 GMT -5
From what I have heard and read over the years Andre was NEVER easy to approach for autographs away from the arenas, even in his younger days. I'd imagine the vast majority of the Andre autos out there are forgeries. Andre likely did not sit at the table at Toy Fair for very long given his disposition and the condition he was in at the time, so I believe most of those photos likely went unsigned. In my opinion it's a "buyer beware" proposition when buying anything alleged to have been autographed by Andre unless it comes from a highly trusted source or someone who personally got the signature and will certify that fact.
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Post by Fighter Hayabusa on Feb 10, 2019 1:14:46 GMT -5
I found the issue in my collection. It’s May 1991 with Undertaker on the cover. Looks like it was a party and not the event itself. |
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GoldenHulk
Main Eventer
Joined on: May 8, 2004 8:43:19 GMT -5
Posts: 1,197
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Post by GoldenHulk on Feb 10, 2019 2:44:34 GMT -5
I found the issue in my collection. It’s May 1991 with Undertaker on the cover. Looks like it was a party and not the event itself. Okay, that seems right. Bushwhackers and Tito do the heavy promotional lifting at the Toy Fair proper, Andre sits for a few minutes and signs for the executives' kids. So there were probably a few dozen pics signed and most of them went to kids who hung them on the wall, trashed them, and they're long gone. Also, notice the massive shift in tone of these events between the early 90s and today. Back then it was mostly buyers and executives in suits being bored and looking at new product. Now it's more like a fan convention atmosphere. |
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Post by showbizpizzabear81 on Feb 10, 2019 6:52:47 GMT -5
With the way some of today's fans are, what are the chances of Andre becoming irritated at these public events if he were here today? Fans using insider speak with him? Lol
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jason1980s
Main Eventer
Joined on: Sept 30, 2009 14:58:56 GMT -5
Posts: 2,311
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Post by jason1980s on Feb 10, 2019 8:11:17 GMT -5
I figured it was something not really for the general public but still, it was technically an official signing for WWF.
I can't see him getting too upset and leaving early on this signing given 1) the nature of it being more a private affair and for WWWF publicity 2) he had "turned" from heel the previous year so he didn't have to protect his character and 3) he was in his phase with WWF where they were trying to find something for him to do to keep him with the company even though sadly his WWF career really seemed to end at WrestleMania VI.
As Goldenhulk said, most of the photos may have been thrown out. I know I lost most of the WCW promo photos and album page autographs I had when I was a little kid. I also think some of the Andre autos are forgeries. There's two different signed baseballs on google images. And even some of the slabbed third party authenticator Andre signed items seem too good to be true.
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Post by Fighter Hayabusa on Feb 10, 2019 8:22:57 GMT -5
I found the issue in my collection. It’s May 1991 with Undertaker on the cover. Looks like it was a party and not the event itself. Okay, that seems right. Bushwhackers and Tito do the heavy promotional lifting at the Toy Fair proper, Andre sits for a few minutes and signs for the executives' kids. So there were probably a few dozen pics signed and most of them went to kids who hung them on the wall, trashed them, and they're long gone. Also, notice the massive shift in tone of these events between the early 90s and today. Back then it was mostly buyers and executives in suits being bored and looking at new product. Now it's more like a fan convention atmosphere. Pretty sure NYTF is still an industry only event and not open to the general public. |
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Post by HHH316 on Feb 10, 2019 19:33:52 GMT -5
Can we take a moment to appreciate the bald employee in the first photo? Bless his heart, I think he has that title taped to his shirt.
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China Claus
Main Eventer
I can feeel your sensitivity
Joined on: Apr 17, 2012 20:05:15 GMT -5
Posts: 2,737
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Post by China Claus on Feb 11, 2019 0:38:47 GMT -5
I found the issue in my collection. It’s May 1991 with Undertaker on the cover. Looks like it was a party and not the event itself. Okay, that seems right. Bushwhackers and Tito do the heavy promotional lifting at the Toy Fair proper, Andre sits for a few minutes and signs for the executives' kids. So there were probably a few dozen pics signed and most of them went to kids who hung them on the wall, trashed them, and they're long gone. Also, notice the massive shift in tone of these events between the early 90s and today. Back then it was mostly buyers and executives in suits being bored and looking at new product. Now it's more like a fan convention atmosphere. Precisely. I'm sure those kid's with slicked back hair and nice clothes and everyone else in suits were just your average "fan". A "party for all WWF licensees" tells it all. |
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