Robert Ripley Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
ROBERT RIPLEY
Born: February 22, 1890 in Santa Rosa, California
Died: May 27, 1949 in New York City, New York
Robert Ripley was born on February 22nd, 1890, in Santa Rosa, California and he was an American cartoonist, entrepreneur, and collector best known as the creator of Ripley's Believe It or Not!.
He began his career as a sports cartoonist for the New York Globe in 1913. His first Believe It or Not! cartoon appeared in 1918 and featured odd and unusual facts from around the world. The cartoon gained popularity and was soon syndicated internationally. Ripley traveled extensively during the 1920s and 1930s, visiting over 200 countries in search of material for his cartoon series. His travels and findings were chronicled in various media formats, including books, radio broadcasts, and newsreels. In 1929, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! debuted as a radio program, which aired for nearly two decades. That same year, the first compilation of his work was published in book form. In 1933, Ripley opened his first Odditorium at the Chicago World’s Fair, showcasing artifacts and exhibits related to his cartoons. The success of the Odditorium led to permanent installations and traveling exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad. Ripley’s work extended into the early days of television. In 1949, he hosted a weekly television program based on his cartoon series, but he died shortly after filming the 13th episode.
He began his career as a sports cartoonist for the New York Globe in 1913. His first Believe It or Not! cartoon appeared in 1918 and featured odd and unusual facts from around the world. The cartoon gained popularity and was soon syndicated internationally. Ripley traveled extensively during the 1920s and 1930s, visiting over 200 countries in search of material for his cartoon series. His travels and findings were chronicled in various media formats, including books, radio broadcasts, and newsreels. In 1929, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! debuted as a radio program, which aired for nearly two decades. That same year, the first compilation of his work was published in book form. In 1933, Ripley opened his first Odditorium at the Chicago World’s Fair, showcasing artifacts and exhibits related to his cartoons. The success of the Odditorium led to permanent installations and traveling exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad. Ripley’s work extended into the early days of television. In 1949, he hosted a weekly television program based on his cartoon series, but he died shortly after filming the 13th episode.
1956-Star-Tonight (Writer), 1931-Believe-It-or-Not-Second-Series-#2 (in person), 1931-Believe-It-or-Not-Second-Series-#3 (in person), 1931-Believe-It-or-Not-Second-Series-#1 (in person), 1931-Believe-It-or-Not-#9 (in person), 1930-Believe-It-or-Not-#4 (in person), 1930-Believe-It-or-Not-#3 (in person), 1930-Believe-It-or-Not-#2 (in person), 1999-Sideshow:-Alive-on-the-Inside (Other), 1931-Season's-Greetings (Performer), 1932-Believe-It-or-Not-Second-Series-#11 (in person), 1932-Believe-It-or-Not-Second-Series-#9 (in person), 1930-Believe-It-or-Not-#1 (in person), 1932-Believe-It-or-Not-Second-Series-#12 (Performer), 1932-Believe-It-or-Not-Second-Series-#10 (in person), 1932-Believe-It-or-Not-Second-Series-#8 (in person), 1932-Believe-It-or-Not-Second-Series-#7 (in person), 1931-Believe-It-or-Not-#12 (in person), 1931-Believe-It-or-Not-#8 (in person), 1931-Believe-It-or-Not-#6 (in person), 1932-Believe-It-or-Not-Second-Series-#6 (in person), 1932-Believe-It-or-Not-Second-Series-#4 (in person), 1932-Believe-It-or-Not-Second-Series-#5 (in person), 1931-Believe-It-or-Not-#10 (in person), 1931-Believe-It-or-Not-#11 (in person), 1931-Believe-It-or-Not-#7 (in person), 1930-Believe-It-or-Not-#5 (in person), 2000-Ripley's-Believe-It-or-Not! (Other)
Style
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - AUTOGRAPH QUOTATION SIGNED - HFSID 539Autograph quotation signed: "Ripley-/'Believe It or Not'" appears on a piece of paper from Robert Ripley. The signature is accompanied by a black and white photograph, showcasing his dedication to collecting oddities for his column Believe It or Not!.
Price: $280.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - AUTOGRAPH QUOTATION SIGNED - HFSID 155592Card signed by Robert Ripley featuring the quotation "Ripley-/'Believe It or Not'" in black ink. Ripley is known for his travels and collecting unusual facts for his Believe It or Not! column and radio show.
Price: $280.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 177463Photograph of Robert Ripley, inscribed and signed: "To/Terry/All The Best/Ripley-". Capturing Ripley in a suit, this sepia photograph highlights his global travels and contributions to "Believe It or Not!", reflecting his prominent career from 1918 to 1949.
Price: $500.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 293287Vintage photograph showing Robert Ripley playing handball, signed and inscribed to boxer Packey O'Gatty with the message, "To/Packy/O'Gatty/With all good wishes/Ripley________/'Believe It or Not'". Ripley is known for his Believe It or Not! series.
Sale Price $675.00
$800.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 10/18/1937 - HFSID 177462Photograph of Robert Ripley, wearing a suit and tie, inscribed and signed: "To/Willard M. Rutzon/With All The Best/-And Pleasant Memories/of the 'Morrison'/Ripley-/'Believe It or Not'/Oct. 18. 1937".
Price: $500.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 1934 - HFSID 154734Photograph inscribed and signed by Robert Ripley reads, "To/W. L./Kiernan/With All the Best/Ripley-/'Believe It/or Not'/1934". Capturing him drawing, it highlights his contributions to the column and radio show Believe It or Not! from 1918 to 1949.
Sale Price $425.00
$500.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 1934 - HFSID 28893Photograph of Robert Ripley shows him drawing on paper. It is inscribed and signed: "To/James T. Cable/With All the/Best!/Ripley-/'Believe It/or Not'/N.Y./1934". Ripley was known for collecting strange facts in his work "Believe It or Not!"
Price: $500.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 1937 - HFSID 287130Photograph inscribed and signed by Robert Ripley, stating "To Ed King/With All The Best!/Ripley/Believe It or Not/Huskies Program 1937". The item links Believe It or Not to its radio sponsor, Huskies cereal, referencing a famous blooper.
Price: $700.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - INSCRIBED BOOK SIGNED 1931 - HFSID 9703Book signed hardcover copy of The New Believe It or Not, inscribed by Robert Ripley on the flyleaf in 1931. Inscription reads, "To/Reginald Hawkins/With All Good Wishes/for Xmas & the New Year/Ripley/'Believe It or Not'/1931."
Sale Price $600.00
$900.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - INSCRIBED BOOK SIGNED 1935 - HFSID 9241Book titled Believe it or Not! Omnibus signed and inscribed by Robert Ripley in 1935 with the inscription, "To/Everetta Love/with every good wish/of/Ripley/Believe it or not/1935". Published by Simon & Schuster in 1929.
Price: $900.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - INSCRIBED PICTURE POSTCARD SIGNED - HFSID 140405Postcard of Robert Ripley drawing on paper, inscribed and signed: "Good Wishes/To/Jack Barry/Ripley-/'Believe It/or Not'". From 1918 to 1949, Ripley collected oddities for his newspaper column and radio show "Believe It or Not!"
Price: $300.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - PICTURE POST CARD SIGNED - HFSID 177461Picture postcard of Robert Ripley drawing on paper, signed "Ripley-". Highlighting his travels and work for Believe It or Not!, Ripley produced feature cartoons for 31 years, visiting 198 countries to gather strange facts and oddities.
Sale Price $245.00
$300.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 12/29/1931 - HFSID 102619Typed letter signed: "Ripley-", dated December 29, 1931, sent to Mr. Theodore Fred Kuper on "Ripley Believe It Or Not" stationery. Requesting verification of graduation facts and a photograph for his drawing, Ripley was known for collecting oddities for his column.
Sale Price $595.00
$700.00
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ROBERT "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" RIPLEY - TYPED NOTE SIGNED - HFSID 175521Typed note signed by Robert Ripley includes a message regarding the birthplaces of U.S. presidents. Addressed to Mr. Moss, it states, "Some of the Presidents before Van Buren were born on American soil..." and conveys best wishes.
Price: $400.00