Autographs (is there anyone you still hope to get?)

[christoph404]

There are "autograph hunters" who make a reasonably good living out of selling signed photos, I know this because I use a lab in W1 just off Curzon Street and the owner was telling me that there are 3 people who come in on a regular basis and get 10x8 photo prints of famous folk that they have downloaded from the internet, not just random celebrities, they have researched which ones happen to be in London at the time, whether promoting a film or appearing in a play, and they are normally staying at the hotels on nearby Park Lane, (Hilton, Dorchester, Met, Grosvenor House or Claridges) These so called "fans" then spend the week staking out the celebs, at their Hotels or Stage doors in order to get them to sign the photos. Usually the celebs are presented with a pen to sign the pics, usually an erasable one so that if the celebs insist on dedicating the photo the name can be erased later so that only the celebs signature remains, apparently a dedicated photo is almost worthless on the market but a photo with a signature only is saleable. Many celebs have wised up to this and either refuse an autograph or insist on their own pen and a dedication as well as a signature. The guys who are selling the signed photos are making hundreds of pounds per week....its a business and full time occupation for some of them. It does not surprise me that celebs refuse autographs or charge for them, especially as others are only to keen to exploit their mark for financial gain. I guess the professional autograph merchants spoil it for genuine fans who simply want a signature for their own personal satisfaction.

[smudge]

Autographs/Memorabilia is a booming industry these days - a far cry from when I started out and all people could say was, "Why do you watch that old rubbish?" LOL

If you're prepared to hit the signing circuit you can get quite a few 'vintage' performers sigs even now - and it's always nice to have a moment chatting to them. Some of my faves are from back in the day when I was keen and used to do a fair bit of research. In the days before e-mail I garnered a nice wee bundle of letters. Top of the list is a personal letter from Mr. Peter Cushing and a similar item from Mr. Paul Eddington - true gentlemen both.

Who'd I still like to get? I dunno - I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Lee just before he started his Dracula embargo and he signed a Drac for me and an 007 for my good lady. I would guess he uses a stamp where he can these days to save his aged fingers. We have a couple of auction items signed by Alfred Burke, but sadly never got to meet him.

I guess if I could get anybody's sig I'd love a private half hour with Richard Bradford and top off the chat with a personalised 8 x 10...

Smudge

[CaptainWaggett]

Go to any play or Q and A with any vagulely sellable star and there will be a bunch of blokes with clipboards and memorabilia standing outside waiting to grab autographs regardless of whether the show is sold out. I went to see a play with Catherine Tate in it a couple of years ago and was in the pub opposite the theatre for a couple of hours beforehand. For the whole time we could see a bloke with a bag in what we though was the returns queue. Nope, he was an autograph hunter who had no interest in seeing the play but did have a lot of Doctor Who memorabilia at the ready. Ditto and Edward Norton Q and A and a bunch of blokes with Fight Club dvds. This is standard with anyone vaguely collectable nowadays (which is why Patrick Stewart is very fussy about what he signs!).

[markrgv]

Do MOST people charge now?

When I become a famous writer I will let you all have mine free of charge.

You say that now, but wait to you become famous; then things will change...

[jimw1]

You say that now, but wait to you become famous; then things will change...

I think FG would always remember her Roots and not charge poor beggars like me and others for her Autograph......

[Elaine]

Do MOST people charge now?

When I become a famous writer I will let you all have mine free of charge.

My daughter, who is a published writer, signs book plates all the time.

[CaptainWaggett]

The recent biography of Alastair Sim is hilarious on the subject of his, somewhat curmudgeonly, refusal to give autographs, treating everyone instead (even children like the St Trinians girls) to a 15 minute lecture on the folly and pointlessness of the hobby, thus taking up far more of his time that a simple signature would have done

[alan french]

Hi,
I think that this thread has shown another side of autograph collecting. There are a couple of people who I bump into quite regularly here in sunny Hemel Hempstead. One of them who is a collector, did explain that a lot of stars charge a considerable amount for their signatures at some events. I can understand why. The problem now is, that the person who pays the celeb for their signature so that they can sell it, is obviously going to up the price to cover his/her own initial pay-out. This means that the true fan is going to find autograph collecting even more expensive. People who are unaware that autographs are big business, may look down upon a star who appears reluctant to sign. In turn this gives that star a bad reputation. That is sad I suppose. Although the autograph tout will say business is business.

This is an interesting thread. And certainly those who read it, and are unaware of the big business side of autograph signing, an eye-opener.

Alan French.

[CaptainWaggett]

Hi,
I think that this thread has shown another side of autograph collecting. There are a couple of people who I bump into quite regularly here in sunny Hemel Hempstead. One of them who is a collector, did explain that a lot of stars charge a considerable amount for their signatures at some events. I can understand why. The problem now is, that the person who pays the celeb for their signature so that they can sell it, is obviously going to up the price to cover his/her own initial pay-out. This means that the true fan is going to find autograph collecting even more expensive. People who are unaware that autographs are big business, may look down upon a star who appears reluctant to sign. In turn this gives that star a bad reputation. That is sad I suppose. Although the autograph tout will say business is business.

This is an interesting thread. And certainly those who read it, and are unaware of the big business side of autograph signing, an eye-opener.

Alan French.

Though if a star, by signing a piece of paper, can keep someone in work, is it that much to ask? Philosophical questions before lunchtime

[faginsgirl]

I think FG would always remember her Roots and not charge poor beggars like me and others for her Autograph......

I would trust you not to flog me on e-bay Jim

xx

[markrgv]

The recent biography of Alastair Sim is hilarious on the subject of his, somewhat curmudgeonly, refusal to give autographs, treating everyone instead (even children like the St Trinians girls) to a 15 minute lecture on the folly and pointlessness of the hobby, thus taking up far more of his time that a simple signature would have done

George Cole also says similar to this in an interview - that Alastair Sim was always awkward around fans and didn't like people asking for autographs - where as he (George) has accepted that it goes with the territory and doesn't have a problem with it.

[markrgv]

I would trust you not to flog me on e-bay Jim

xx

I'd buy one

[jimw1]

I would trust you not to flog me on e-bay Jim

xx

damn thats my plans thwarted Michelle

[torinfan]

This one showed up on ebay recently. I'm sure it'll sell (just like all the others have)


TORIN THATCHER autographed 8x10 photo RD33 #BTG4515 | eBay

[Gerald Lovell]

The going rate for autographs at THE AVENGERS do in Chichester was £10-£15 per autograph, plus a picture if you wanted. That being said, many of the guests were happy to sign autographs ad hoc for nothing and I was particularly pleased to get an autograph from Brian Clemens, who did not do any signing sessions as such.
I'd like to get Christopher Lee's too, and hope to get Roger Moore's when I go to the Network session for THE PERSUADERS! in September.