Terms and Tips Used In Collecting
Terms
ALS = Autographed Letter Signed
TLS = Typed Letter Signed
SIC = Signed Index Card
DS = Document Signed
SP = Signed Photograph
SC = Signed Card
TCS = Trading Card Signed
ISP = Inscribed Signed Photograph (i.e. personalized - "To Scott")
AQS = Autographed Quotation Signed
B/W = Black And White
Tips
Autograph collecting is a fun and relatively
inexpensive hobby. There are a few things you should keep in mind though.
1) Of course, celebrities are always very busy people. Don't be surprised if
it takes a few weeks to months (or even a year or more) to get a response.
And with the volume of fan mail they receive every day, it could take them
forever to get back to you.
2) ALWAYS include a self-addressed stamped envelope
(SASE) when you send to a celebrity requesting his/her autograph. It is a
common courtesy, and sometimes it's the only way a celebrity will write back to you.
3) Always keep letters short and polite. You will also want to do a little
research about the person you're sending to and say something in the letter like
"I really loved you in the movie..." etc. Also, unless you have perfect handwriting,
you should type the letter, then hand-sign it at the bottom. Address envelopes
by hand also.
4) Never request more than 2 autographs. If you request more, celebs might think
that you are a dealer looking to profit from their signature. Plus it's just greedy.
If you want more signatures from a celebrity, wait and see if you get a response
back then send out another request or 2.
5) Always check your spelling in the letter, and of the celebrity's name. There's
nothing more embarassing than writing to a celebrity for an autograph and getting
his or her name wrong!
6) Keep track of the autograph requests you send out. Especially if you send
out a bunch at a time. I keep an Access database on my system with the name and address of the person I sent to,
the date I sent and received a response, what I sent, and what I received.
7) Have patience! Even if you don't get a response for months, it's all worth
it when you open your mailbox and find an autographed picture from your
favorite celebrity!
Here's my process :
For celebrities:
When I send an autograph request, my goal is to get an 8x10 signed picture back.
For the SASE, I fold a 9x12 clasp-type envelope in half. On the 9x12 envelope, I put 3 first class
stamps in postage, and I mark "Photo enclosed - Please do not bend" on the
outside. I put the SASE along with a short letter in another 9x12 envelope.
On the 2nd envelope, I put 3 first class stamps postage.
For athletes:
I send 2 trading cards or index cards along with a short letter and use 2 legal size envelopes, with 1 first class stamp on each.