Emmett Kelly Sr. Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
EMMETT KELLY SR.
Born: December 09, 1898 in Sedan, Kansas
Died: March 28, 1979 in Sarasota, Florida
Biography
Emmett Lee Kelly (1898-1979) began his circus career, which spanned 55 years, after a starting out as a cartoonist. First performing as a trapeze artist, he later went into clowning, creating his most famous character, "Weary Willie", from a cartoon character he had drawn years earlier. In 1942, Kelly joined the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus, where he would star until 1956 (one of his most famous routines was "sweeping the spotlight"). In 1957, he joined the Shrine Circus and settled in Florida (Sarasota is the winter home of the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus). Kelly, America's most famous clown, continued appearing in commercials and performed in special shows until he was 80. His son, Emmett Kelly, Jr. (1923-2006), followed successfully in his father's footsteps and rivaled his fame, forming his own Emmett Kelly, Jr. Circus in 1972.
1958-Wind-Across-the-Everglades (Performer), 1957-Playhouse-90 (Performer), 1957-The-Jackie-Gleason-Show (Performer), 1976-The-Second-Annual-Comedy-Awards (in person), 1970-1976-The-Carol-Burnett-Show (in person), 1956-What's-My-Line (in person), 1956-Captain-Kangaroo (in person), 1954-Person-to-Person (in person), 1956-Telephone-Time (Performer), 1955-General-Electric-Theater (Writer), 1955-General-Electric-Theater (Other), 1967-The-Clown-and-the-Kids (Performer), 1958-The-Bob-Crosby-Show (Performer), 1968-1969-The-Joey-Bishop-Show (in person), 1952-The-Greatest-Show-on-Earth (in person), 1946-Here-Comes-the-Circus (Other), 1962-The-DuPont-Show-of-the-Week (Performer), 1951-The-Fat-Man (Performer), 1977-Bette-Midler:-Ol'-Red-Hair-Is-Back (in person), 1955-1960-The-Ed-Sullivan-Show (in person), 1956-I've-Got-a-Secret (in person), 1956-The-NBC-Comedy-Hour (in person)
Style
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - ADVERTISEMENT SIGNED - HFSID 294703Postcard signed by Emmett Kelly, Sr. with the inscription "Emmett/Kelly", promoting his appearances in Nevada in 1968. Kelly, known for creating the character "Weary Willie", had a 55-year circus career and performed until age 80.Price: $300.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - AUTOGRAPH - HFSID 198025Business card signed by Emmett Kelly Sr. on the verso with the signature "Emmett/ Kelly". This card is from Crest Cleaners & Laundry in Torrance, California, showcasing the legacy of America's famous clown known for his character "Weary Willie".
Price: $240.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - AUTOGRAPH DOCUMENT SIGNED - HFSID 253747Recipe signed by Emmett Kelly Sr. includes his handprinted instructions for Shrimp Creole. Signed as "Emmett/Kelly", it comes with a mailing envelope postmarked from Sarasota, Florida, dated August 2, 1985, addressed to Jeannine Greenlee.
Price: $400.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 252682Autograph letter signed: "Emmett Kelly Sr.", addressed to "Dear Children of Saco Valley Assn.", expressing gratitude for an Easter card and mentioning enclosures of photos and a satchet of his real hair.
Price: $500.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - AUTOGRAPH QUOTATION SIGNED 11/29/1958 - HFSID 271171Autographed quotations by Emmett Kelly Sr. include "Emmett/Kelly/Nov 29-58./Detroit". The piece features a printed illustration of him as Weary Willie, alongside five quotes on themes like laughter, love, and hard work, showcasing his insights on life.
Price: $600.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED CHECK 05/01/1964 - HFSID 182648Check signed by Emmett L. Kelly for $175.00, dated May 1, 1964, payable to Amusement Business, Billboard Pub. Co. Features a photograph of Kelly as Weary Willie in the upper left corner, drawn on his personal account.
Price: $360.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED CHECK 10/17/1973 - HFSID 182662Check signed by Emmett Kelly for $52.13 to Florida Power & Light Co in 1973. It is signed as "Emmett L. Kelly" and includes an ink notation from an unknown hand. Emmett Kelly was a renowned clown and circus performer.
Price: $360.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 41867Photograph of Emmett Kelly as Weary Willie shows him holding a plant and looking at the camera. It is signed "Emmett/Kelly Sr." in green ink. Kelly was a renowned circus clown, performing for 55 years and creating his iconic character.
Price: $300.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 277697Photograph of Emmett Kelly Sr.'s character, Weary Willie, depicts him playing solitaire while licking his thumb. Signed in blue ink with the inscription "Emmett Kelly". Kelly, a renowned clown, created this famous character during his 55-year circus career.
Sale Price $425.00
$500.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH 1973 - HFSID 294702Photograph of Emmett Kelly, Sr. as Willie the Clown, holding leaves of cabbage, signed with "Emmett/Kelly Sr./1973". Kelly, a renowned circus performer and creator of "Weary Willie," had a career spanning 55 years, joining Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus in 1942.
Price: $500.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH 1976 - HFSID 88910Photograph of Emmett Kelly as Weary Willie, depicting a full portrait with a broom. Signed in green ink, "Emmett/Kelly Sr./1976". Kelly, a notable clown, created this character during his extensive circus career.
Sale Price $425.00
$500.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - DOCUMENT MULTI-SIGNED 10/31/1955 - HFSID 258616Typed document signed by Emmett Kelly, dated October 31, 1955, granting exclusive rights to merchandise his character, Weary Willie the Clown. Signed in ink twice, with initials EK three times near crossed-out areas.
Sale Price $1,650.00
$1,950.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - FIRST DAY COVER SIGNED 1970 - HFSID 257061Philatelic envelope signed "Emmett/Kelly/1970", honoring the Circus with a 5-cent stamp and postmarked Delavan, Wisconsin, on May 2, 1966, First Day of Issue. Emmett Kelly Sr. was a renowned clown known for his character "Weary Willie".
Sale Price $245.00
$300.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - INSCRIBED ORIGINAL ART SIGNED 1950 - HFSID 217081Original art depicting Weary Willie is inscribed and signed: "Best Wishes to/Holly & Eddie Donohue/From/Emmett Kelly/1950." Emmett Kelly, Sr. created this character during his 55-year circus career after starting as a cartoonist.
Price: $950.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - INSCRIBED SIGNATURE - HFSID 292908Card signed by Emmett Kelly, Sr. includes an inscribed signature reading "To/Max/Emmett/Kelly", matted with a color image of his character Weary Willy. Kelly, a renowned clown, had a 55-year circus career, starting as a cartoonist.
Price: $300.00
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EMMETT KELLY SR. - TYPED LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 19928Typed letter signed: "Emmett/Kelly Sr", expressing regret for not being able to respond personally. Addressed to Margaret Catennaccio from Sarasota, Florida, it includes thanks for her interest and mentions an enclosed photograph.
Price: $400.00
