So, you're thinking
about starting up an autograph collection of your own huh? GREAT!!! It
is an exciting, cost efficient, and usually rewarding hobby. Some celebs
just do not like signing autographs. A few of those rotten people are Laurence
Fishborne, Bill Murray, Jamie Lee Curtis, Christopher Walken, and the most
noted person in Hollywood history for not signing autographs....Marlon
Brando. His autograph is so rare these days that one usually sells
for five hundred - one thousand dollars. But hey, there are some
people that are really cool about signing autographs too like John Travolta,
James Woods, Mena Suvari, Muse Watson, Josh Hartnett, and Ian McKellen
just to name a few.
Here's what
you'll need to get started...
- an
address of the celebrity you would like to write to.
- a fabulous place to find addresses is www.stararchive.com
There are literally thousands. Another great source of addresses is the
newgroup alt.collecting.autographs
- Some
9X12 manilla envelopes (2 for every letter)
- One you use to address to where you are sending and the other one, you
fold in half and place it in the envelope with postage already on it so
the celeb doesn't have to pick up postage. I have had a much greater success
rate when sending a self addressed stamped envelope over just sending a
letter requesting a photo.
- something
for the celeb to sign (optional)
- sending something to sign really can help your success rate because if
they don't have a photo to send to you, you will be out a success. A lot
of people send an unlined index card along but I just print off a pic of
the celeb I like from the net from my favorite performance of theirs or
whatever. I usually go and buy some glossy photo paper and print the photo
on to that. The photos turn out really nice. Remember to keep the picture
you send to them in good taste. You don't to send something that could
offend them
- cardboard
(optional)
- If you send something like a photo that
you don't want bent, it is smart to put a light (but durable) piece of
cardboard in you envelope. Also, I always write "Do Not Bend" on both of
my envelopes that I send.
- A
fan letter
- Once you have all of your materials all ready, it's time to write your
letter. I know. It's like, "What should I say?". Just put some thought
into it. I usually just start off by telling them what performance of theirs
I like the best and why. Then I tell them a bit about myself. Then it is
usually time to wrap up for me. I limit my letters to one page. I figure
they are pressed on time and are doing me a favor by honoring my request.
Another good thing to say is how they have touched you or changed your
life. I also find that hand-written letters get better reponses. Have a
look at my Selma Blair
success.
- a
post office or some stamps
- It usually costs me about a buck fifty per request now since I add cardboard
and a bit extra postage to allow room for whatever the celeb adds to the
envelope. Always address your self addressed stamped envelope in both places-
in the middle and in the upeer left corner. That way, if there isn't enough
postage, it still comes to you with postage due and you get to keep the
autograph.
- lots
and lots of patience
- I get very impatient but it all pays off in the end if I do finally get
something back. This hobby makes getting the mail exciting but it does
have the drawback that you are writting to really busy people that get
hundreds of fan letters a week so it can take quite a while to get a reply.
The best thing to do is just keep on sending more and more things out all
of the time to keep you busy. Just try to keep a positive attitude and
hope for something tomorrow.
- International
Reply Coupons (for overseas requests)
- If you are writing to someone in a different country, you need
a couple international reply coupons (or IRC's for short) to put in with
your request. It goes by size and weight just like here in the U.S. so
if you have an envelope more on the bulky side, it would probably be better
to use 3 rather than 2. For Europe, usually enclose 2. For Australia, enclose
3. Then again, it depends where you live.
There. That
was a lot e'? How the fun part begins, actually starting. Good luck!
