Autograph Collecting

Autograph Collecting for Beginners

Autograph collecting, also called philography, can be fun and rewarding. Some people are happy to get an autograph from their favorite celebrity and stop there, while others pursue many different autographs. If you're interested in the collection of autographs, the first thing you should know is how to tell a real, hand-signed autograph from a fake.

The signed photos that are sent to many celebrities' fan club members are almost always going to be reproductions. It's unlikely that the celebrity is going to sit down and individually sign hundreds or thousands of photos. Often, the autograph is a photocopy, has been signed by an assistant or secretary, or was done with the use of a device called an autopen. If you want an authentic celebrity autograph, the best way to obtain one is either in person or via a written request.

It's going to be difficult to obtain an autograph in person unless you know where and when the celebrities of your choice are going to be signing. Even then, you will probably need to deal with lots of other fans who also want an autograph. It can be quite hectic to get your favorite star's autograph this way. If you decide to write instead, there are some ways to increase your chances of success.

First, make sure you write a polite autograph request that expresses your appreciation of the celebrity's work. Do not enclose any gift items or personal photos. You will need to enclose a photo or index card for the celebrity to sign, and a self addressed stamped envelope. Sometimes, you will get lucky and actually get a real autograph back. Other times, you will receive a form letter that tells you to join the fan club. Then there are times when you'll hear nothing back at all.

No one said autograph collecting was easy. But it can be profitable, especially if you are able to obtain rare autographs that other collectors are willing to pay big money for. Even if you don't have a collection worth a lot of money, you do have some memorabilia from your favorite celebrities that you can keep for years to come. Some autographs will appreciate in value over the years, so take good care of your collection. This means keeping it away from moisture, heat and light, and storing it in a sturdy autograph book or file cabinet.

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