I first started my "movie experience" back in the mid 80's. I have this photo posted on my ebay site.  My first participation in film was "North and South", filmed in Mississippi.  Meeting Celebrity is definitely a memorable moment because you  get to see their real personalities.  Now, thanks to "New Millenium Studios" here, I can get first hand signatures.  Working security has its perks.

TYPES OF COLLECTING

• In person Signature - getting the celebrity to sign your photo or paper in person is really hard.  Often celebs dont like to be bothered, unless thier promoting thier own films.  You can get them on the street, and or various events the celeb attends.  Most IP autos normally contain the information on where and how the auto is acquired, as in date and location.  Some have stickers on the back indicating this, others if not recorded, are lost over time and the changing of hands.  When approaching a celebrity, be careful, hopefully, they wont attack you!

• Writing for autographs - This is perhaps the most common attempt to get signatures.  Many celebs have some fan site where they have candids to promote themselves.  Most require you joining thier fan club and you'll get a preprint a photo that is autopenned (machine produced), a photo signed by secretary (secretarials and autopens aren't strictly forgeries, as they are not done for profit), or Promo' Photos from events or thier latest feature.  If your lucky a real autograph and/or some other memorabilia... They may entertain you, but remember, thier out to get your money as well.  I have ran across some stars, Holyfield for example, that want to be reimbursed for signing. 

• DIRECT MAIL - You can acquire many addresses from online.  Often, you have to get your own photos made ($3.99 8x10 Kodak) of the movie or pose you like.  Make a SASE, large enough to hold your photos (return postage paid), and mail them out to the celebrity, often they will sign them, some even personalize if you ask.  If the address is invalid, your package will be returned.  Overall, figure about $7-10 per photo you send out.  I find that to get a movie photo made, pending I dont violate any copyright agreements, you have to send them out, or settle for a candid .  For Celebs in the UK or Europe, I find it more cost effective to just purchase from a dealer.

EXAMINING THE AUTOGRAPH AND SELLER

• Buying autographs.   This can be risky because of many forgeries out there.  Always ask how the autographed purchased was obtained.  Any dealer wont just shoot the breeze, but remember they dont want to give out their sources.  Being a member of any certain club or organization doesnt always mean the sources are reputable.  Be aware that  online private auctions, most usually are selling fakes, so ask questions.  Understand that adult items are mostly private, since people want to remain anonymous.

• PHOTO QUALITY - Often the quality of photo scan and the photo paper are the keys to a good photo.  There are alot of computer prints that dont show alot of detail, and poor scans that make the image blurry.  Most older photos are not digital, so they are grainy, thank God for progress!  Some scans contain the whole photograph, others are matted which are formatted within the photo to create borders.  Gloss's are not always that great, some ink runs and or fade over time.  My favorite photo paper is the heavy matte stock, the clarity is outstanding!  Keep your photos away from acid paper, and store them in a plastic sheets (avery) and a good binder to prevent damage. 

• FAKE SIGNATURES - As an ex law enforcement officer, I find alot of "forgeries"  at online auctions...  Even if there is documentation of the signing or how it was obtained, people are not honest.  Certificates of Authenticity are really worthless.  COA's mean little if the seller cannot back up thier reputations.   

Many autographs are preprints, which means that the signatures are printed with the photo.  Take the photo, turn it on its side and glance at it in the light, you should see a difference in color between the signature and image.

A Persons handwriting changes over time and situations, so thier signatures vary.  Compare signatures with other examples.  Many street signings for example may just have thier initials (christina aguilera is famous for her CA), and others may just have a scribble.  When in doubt, ask, as it all goes back to ones reputation. 

 

PRICING

• Pricing various per individual, depending on the quality of the photo, the reputation of the seller/collector, and most of all, how hard the autograph was to obtain!  I have stood for hours to meet someone, for example, when the queen of england was here in richmond.  How much is her auto worth?  Often you need to take into consideration how the graph was obtained, time and effort placed into it.

Is the person popular or a monthly has been?  A new rising star or a historical past?  Most stars have a average pricing range, the rest depends on how they were obtained.  Deceased stars bring a good premium, but beware of the forgeries soon thereafter.  I had some Anna Nicole that sold out quick, now I cant even sell the remainder I had of her.  See how it works?

Look if the seller will refund your purchase.  Most will give you a guarentee, but their out of business or unable to contact later.  If someone is selling you an autograph, there should be no doubt if it is real, if it is later to found to be a fake/forgery, they should purchase it back, these should be standard ethics. 

 

If you have any questions that I could assist you on, send me a nice letter, and i'll respond.  In dealing with alot of people online, you would be surprised of the personality I come across on a daily basis.