As has been noted in past features (see eBay’s “stonark” (AKA “Corner Collectibles”), Version 2.0), eBay seller “stonark” has paired Letters of Authenticity and Certificates of Authenticity from auction houses and a variety of other sources. I have been unable to verify the existence of most of these firms and individuals, though one of those sources – Joe King – does seem to have been an actual person who worked in wardrobe as a costumer.
However, there is another eBay seller, “liieviione“, who has listed some pieces for sale with letters from Joe King as well, and the signatures from the “stonark” document and the “liieviione” documents do not match, along with other discrepancies.
Joe King
Since the last “2.0” article on “stonark’, Rick Spector of Stairway to the Stars has found information about Joe King in a costumers annual dated 1957. This volume lists every costumer, at every studio, including all support staff as well as the staff at Bermans and Western.
Below is the cover of the “Motion Picture Costumers” annual and the page with Joe King’s biography:
Biography Text:
JOE KING – Nominated for: “THE PRIDE & THE PASSION”
Born in New York City, Joe King was educated in Philadelphia and has been identified with motion pictures since 1940. He began his climb up the ladder of costuming success at U-I, but after a short stay at the valley studio he went to Fox where he remained some 7 years.
Since 1945 Joe has devoted his activities exclusively in the independent production field, where he has achieved a distinguished reputation and rightly so, since he has costumed such notable pictures as “The Moon Is Blue,”, “Carmen Jones,” and the “Man with the Golden Arm.” He also costumed “Guys & Dolls” for Samuel Goldwyn. He has enjoyed an extremely close association with Stanley Kramer, for whom he has costumed “Cyrano,” (his favorite picture), “The Champion,” “Home of the Brave,” “High Noon” and “The Pride & the Passion.”
Of note, Joe King’s biography makes no reference to United Artists. Further, United Artists is not listed in the studio directory, which would indicate that they were operating as a distributor at the time, as of 1957.
“stonark” (AKA “Corner Collectibles”): Joe King Document
Below is a Letter of Authenticity included with a costume sold by “stonark” on eBay, along with their own Certificate of Authenticity (as “Corner Collectibles”). This Joe King letter example is dated July 24, 1992:
Below are my original comments from the “2.0” article:
In the “Joe King” letter, he states:
I have been a costumer for United Artists studios and as a costumer for numberless of years…
While “Joe King” is a fairly common name, there is a Joe King with wardrobe and costumer credits listed in IMDb (LINK) who was born in Russia in 1908, with credits in the 50s and 60s, and died in 2002.
I don’t know that the writing style employed in the 1992 letter is consistent with a Russian-born (at the time) 84 year old. Also, the letter is obviously not produced by a typewriter but a computer, given the fonts, use of italics, and right and left justification.
Per the letter, Joe King acquired the costume from a charity auction “sponsored by William Markham of Universal pictures”. There is no “William Markham” listed in the IMDb. I also inquired with Rick Spector of Stairway to the Stars about this, and he said (and IMDb records that I checked affirm) that at that time, United Artists was a distribution company, not a production company.
Based on the “Motion Picture Costumers” annual, it would appear that the IMDb assertion that Joe King was born in Russia may be incorrect, as the annual states Mr. King was “[b]orn in New York City”. Given that there are corresponding credits in the annual and the IMDb entry, and both note an association with Stanley Kramer, I assume it is the same Joe King.
Below is the full text from the “stonark” Joe King Letter of Authenticity:
July 24, 1992
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Joe King, This embroidered white linen flock dress with wrap and belt was personally owned by actress Claudette Colbert. It was bought by myself from the Childrens Hospital Charity Auction held at the Graumans Chinese Theater in 1958. The auction was sponsored by William Markham of Universal pictures. The dress was donated to the auction by Miss Colbert along with many other top film stars who donated there personal wardrobe to the charity. It was kepted in beautiful condition in my collection that I started back then.
I have been a costumer for United Artist studios and as a costumer for numberless of years I have a vast amount of props, personal items and autographs given to me by various stars and studios in hollywood..
I attest and sear that this is an original piece owned by actress Claudette Colbert.
Please forgive this rather generic letter as I have so many items to sell to thin out my collection.
Joe King
“liieviione”: Joe King Document
eBay seller “liieviione” currently has three active listings with Joe King Letters of Authenticity:
“LANA TURNER CORO EARRINGS PERSONALLY OWNED W/ COA”
eBay Item Number: 110307799336eBay Auction Full Archive: LINK
“AUDREY HEPBURN CHIFFON SCARF PERSONALLY OWNED W/ COA”
eBay Item Number: 110309812878eBay Auction Full Archive: LINK
“AUDREY HEPBURN ACCESSORY CASE PERSONALLY OWNED W/ COA”
eBay Item Number: 110309818085eBay Auction Full Archive: LINK
Below are the three Joe King letters featured as provenance in these auction listings:
Below is the text from one of the letters above, to serve as an example (all three employ the same template format and share the same date – 03/10/98:
Mr. Joe King
Hollywood CostumerTo Whom It May Concern:
I worked in Hollywood as a make-up man for over 4 decades at all of the major studios in California. I met and worked with many of the biggest stars of the golden era.
While working with Acting Legend Audrey Hepburn in the 1960’s, we became good friends and stayed so, through the years. Audrey knew that I collected items from all of my celebrity clients, that is why she gave me this black chiffon scarf with gold threaded & multi-colored sequin accents.
I attest to the validity in all of the above.
Sincerely,
Joe King
3/10/98
Note that, in all three “illeviione” letters, Joe King describes himself as “a make-up man for over 4 decades”, when in fact he was not a “make-up man” but a costumer (and these letters even include “Hollywood Costumer” in the header.
Comparing the “stonark” and “liieviione” Joe King Letters
The most apparent difference between the “stonark” Joe King Letter of Authenticity and the “liiveiione” Joe King Letters of Authenticity relates to the signatures – they do not look anything alike.
Below is a comparison of the signatures:
Below is a comparison of the full documents from the two eBay dealers:
Note that in addition to the discrepant signatures, the writing style, word choice, grammar, punctuation, and other details are not consistent.
As noted above, the content of both letters also includes details that contradict the information found in the “Motion Picture Costumers” annual.
Jason De Bord