REACHING FOR THE STARS - COLLECTING AUTOGRAPHS FOR PRACTICALLY NOTHING

Since the beginning of time, people have been nature's most extravagant collectors, seconded only by the packrat himself.  Collecting is one of our most prevalent hobbies because we find value in the things of the past or things that hold sentimental meaning to us as individuals.  The problem is, many of us who enjoy collecting cannot afford it.  Most collectibles are expensive and very difficult to obtain.  But, collecting autographs of your favorite stars is a hobby that everyone can appreciate because it is easy and inexpensive.

Unfortunately, most of us do not have the opportunity to meet movie stars, sports figures, musicians, authors, royalty, high-ranking politicians, television stars, etc., in person.  Chances are, you won't be bumping into Brad Pitt or Tiger Woods at your local grocery.  But, with a little time and effort, obtaining autographs can be a fun and rewarding hobby.  All it takes is a little know-how, postage, and patience.

Target the Autographs You Want Most

The first important step in autograph collecting is to determine what autographs you want to collect.  To do this, you should create a list of all those that you want to add to your collection.  Whenever you think of a person to whom you would like to write, jot it down on your list.  This will help you remember everyone and keep you from missing out on a chance at getting an autograph you really want.

Writing the Request

I have over 300 autographed photos in my collection, none of which have cost me more than a postage stamp.  Perhaps the best way to ensure success in this hobby is to be assured that the letter you write will be read and responded to.

It is obvious that famous people get overwhelming amounts of fan mail, so the letter you write will be just another letter buried somewhere in the middle of a pile of letters just like it.  This is especially true if the star is a hot item at the time you decide to write to them.  For instance, Carrie Fisher probably received massive amounts of fan mail when Star Wars was first released back in the 70s; and though she is now a successful novelist as well as actress, it is probably safe to say that she receives more fan mail when she is in the public eye more often working on a film that does amazing things at the box office or writing a best selling novel.

Because these notable people (or their associates) must read hundreds, or thousands of letters daily, the first key to writing successful fan mail is to keep the message short and sweet.  Even though it might seem necessary to indulge the stars with praises and mention all their books or films or albums, you will have little chance or receiving an autograph if they must read through pages of prose to find your request.  You can't expect these busy people or their publicists to read through three pages of personal stories about how their films have changed your life or how you have 500 posters of them in your den.  While this would be flattering, there is much less of a chance to receive a quick response (or any response at all) if your letter is more than one page long.  Keep it short and get to the point for a better chance at getting what you ask for.

It is also a good idea to be sure that the letter is legible enough that it can be read quickly and easily.  Ideally, your autograph request would be typed.  However, if you cannot type them, print them as neatly as you can.  I have found that another trick is to emphasize your exact request.  Do not just casually mention that you would like an autographed photo in the middle of the paragraph.  Scream it!  Type the words AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO in all caps, color them, circle them, enlarge them, or highlight them.  Do whatever you can to make your request stand out in case the person who is looking at your letter is just scanning it quickly.

You should also personalize the letter at least a little.  No one likes getting form letters.  It is both courteous and intelligent to mention the person's name, a film they starred in, a game they played in, or a song they sing.

And, finally, and probably most importantly of all, be sure to include your mailing address.  Some mailrooms have actually clipped my address out of the bottom of my letters and used them as mailing labels.  If your address is ommiteed, you cannot receive anything from the star.

Tracking the Stars and Reaching Them

Notable people are seldom in one place for very long.  They are movers and shakers, and part of the jet set.  This is why it is necessary to keep a good eye on the world of entertainment, or sports, or music, and know a little about the person you are targeting.

There are two fine books available that will help you reach the stars.  These are The Address Book (by Michael Levine, Perigree Books) and Star Guide (by Axiom Information Resources).  These fine publications will give you the most current mailing addresses to thousands of notable people, including authors, actors, sports figures, musicians, politicians, and even some notable criminals!  You may be able to borrow older editions of these books at your local library, or pick up the newest edition at the bookstore.

You can also find opportunities to find the addresses of stars online, but bear in mind that you will often be charged a fee for address lists that are outdated.  It may be best to do your own investigating and not waste the investment.

Here are some tips for tracking down some specific types of stars on your own...

Sports Figures

Professional athletes can usually be reached at the address of the teams they play for, but you must keep current on players and the teams they are associated with because they switch teams often.  Addresses to professional sports teams can be found in the books above, or on the internet.  You may also try asking your local trading card shops.

Television Stars

To write to television actors and actresses that appear on your favorite sitcomes or series, talk show hosts, or other TV personalities, it is essential to know the title of the series, and the network on which it appears.  Bear in mind that reruns in syndication will not help you in your search.  In other words, don't try to write to Jack Klugman in care of The Odd Couple, or Alan Alda in care of M.A.S.H. and so on - you need to know what the stars are doing NOW.  Addresses of major networks (like CBS, NBC, FOX, TLC, ESPN, and others) can be forund in the above books, on the internet, on the stations themselves, or try contacting your local TV stations for information.

Musicians

Music personalities can most easily be reached at the company that produced their last album, because they generally stay with one record company.  Look on the album covers of their most recent album, and find recording company addresses in the books above or on the internet.

Authors & Writers

These famous pens can be contacted through their publishers.  To find out what books are coming out on the market and who is publishing them, ask your librarian to see the most current edition of Publishers Weekly or the Forthcoming Books publication.  Once you know who is publishing their next book, you can usually track authors down by writing to them at that publisher's address.  Another good place to check is the internet, or try looking in blurbs of the books they have already written.

Movie Stars

The majority of the autographs in my collection are those of movie stars, but these people are often the hardest to track.  These folks move around frequently, and, chances are, by the time one film is being released in your local theater, the stars are likely to be completing another movie for another company.  The best way to track these people is to pay close attention to movie previews of upcoming films.  You can usually reach them at the production companies (like Universal, Warner Brothers, or Fox) who are producing their most recent pictures, or many of them can be contacted through an agency.  Most of the major mostion picture company addresses can be found in The Address Book or on the internet.

As I've already metntioned, this is an inexpensive, rewarding hobby.  I've been collecting autographed photos since late 1990, and I have obtained over 300 for little or no investment.  Many of the autographs are real handwritten signatures; some are created with an autopen or rubber stamp.  Some of them are color photos; most of them are black and white.  I have also framed many of them and given them away as gifts, and sold several of them on E-bay to turn a profit from my hobby. 

Perhaps the best suggestion for this hobby is diligence and patience.  I sent a request to Harrison Ford in late 1990, and I didn't receive a photo from him until 1995, so being patient is essential.

With a little effort, patience, and postage, you, too, can reach for the stars.