Karl Malden autographs escalated in popularity when the versatile Oscar-winning actor who was known for his diverse roles in movies and television, became a promotor for American Express travelers checks.

Karl Malden won an Oscar for his role as Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire.  He also starred in the 1970s TV series as lieutenant Mike Stone in The Streets of San Francisco, a hardened priest in On the Waterfront, a tough warden in Birdman of Alcatraz, and as Omar Bradley in Patton with costar George C. Scott.

However, Malden became one of the most widely known advocates for checks when he was hired as a spokesman for American Express.  Beginning in 1973, Malden promoted the use of American Express travelers checks for more than twenty years.   His tagline, "Don't leave home without them," became a household catchphrase.  Johnny Carson spoofed Malden's American Express ads on "The Tonight Show" to the delight of American Express; they now had two celebrities advertising the use of their travelers checks. This was the beginning of the popularity of Karl Malden autographs.

Although travelers checks were not invented by American Express, they were the first company to promote them on a large scale.  The purchaser of travelers checks essentially provides an interest-free loan to the issuer.  The purchaser is often required to sign his name on the top portion of each check.  When making a purchase, the purchaser countersigns his name on the bottom portion of the check in the presence of a merchant.  The combination of a merchant requiring supplemental identification and observing a spontaneous confirming signature has proven to be a useful means for preventing check fraud.

American Express commercials promoting travelers checks gave Malden financial security.  In 1989, Malden said, "After 50 years of doing all those other things in the business, wherever I go, the one thing people will say to me is, 'Don't leave home without it ... What am I going to say? It's kind of frustrating in a way, but at the same time, American Express has been very good to me, and it's given me independence. I don't have to jump at anything and everything that comes my way."

Karl Malden autographs skyrocketed in popularity when he became famous for promoting travelers checks.  And American Express was good to Karl Malden. 

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