Description
Don Knotts Autographed 1941 Mohigan AnnualSigned on Don Knotts' Junior Class PhotographAmong the most personal and unusual Don Knotts collectibles in existence are the surviving copies of his original school annuals. This authentic 1941 Mohigan yearbook features Don Knotts as a junior at Morgantown High School in Morgantown, West Virginia and has been personally autographed by Don Knotts directly on the page featuring his class photograph.The annual captures a young Jesse Donald Knotts years before he would become one of television's most beloved comedians and before his legendary portrayal of Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show. Signed examples of Knotts' school annuals are rarely encountered and provide collectors with a unique glimpse into his life long before Hollywood fame.Unlike traditional publicity photographs or commercial autograph items, this piece represents a direct connection to Don Knotts' formative years. The autograph appears on the very page where his photograph is featured, creating an exceptional combination of historical significance and collector appeal.Don Knotts would go on to become one of the most celebrated comic actors in television history, winning five Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Deputy Barney Fife. Yet this annual preserves a much earlier chapter of his story, documenting his life as a student nearly two decades before audiences would first meet the lovable deputy of Mayberry.The autograph was personally obtained by Steve Barfield, adding strong collector provenance to an already uncommon piece.Highlights• Original 1941 Mohigan High School Annual• Features Don Knotts as a junior at Morgantown High School• Personally autographed by Don Knotts• Signature appears directly on the page featuring his class photograph• Rare pre-Hollywood Don Knotts collectible• Personally signed for Steve Barfield• Exceptional piece for Mayberry and television collectorsHistorical SignificanceWhile signed publicity photographs are occasionally encountered, signed school annuals from Don Knotts' youth are substantially scarcer. The combination of an original period yearbook and a later autograph from the future television legend creates a unique collectible documenting both the beginning and culmination of his remarkable career.Estimated Auction ValueConservative Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500Expected Auction Range: $1,500 - $3,000Premium Collector Range: $3,000 - $5,000+Signed annuals from the actual school years of major television stars seldom become available. Because this example features Don Knotts' photograph and autograph together within the same annual, it represents one of the more desirable forms of Don Knotts memorabilia available to collectors.Auction Estimate: $1,500 - $3,000Insurance Value: $4,000 - $6,000A rare and personal artifact from the early life of Don Knotts, documenting the future television legend years before he became Barney Fife and one of America's most beloved entertainers.If you have multiple annuals from different years (1940, 1941, 1942, etc.), I would actually create a separate auction lot for each one. Collectors often pay a premium for the yearbook that contains the clearest photograph, best signature placement, or a significant school-year milestone.
Condition
Minor wear on edges
Buyer's Premium
23%
Mohigan 1941
Estimate $500-$2,000
Starting Price
$100
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Mayberry Museum Collection Auction
Jul 02, 2026 11:00 AM EDTCalhoun, GA, United States
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