by PhaedrusZ2004 » Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:15 pm
One thing I've found is that you'll have a better chance for a real sig with some big names (I'm talking major star here) if you ask them to personalize it, especially if you ask them to inscribe it with your name.
The theory behind this is that autos lose approx 30-40% of their value if it's inscribed (To _____). So, asking the celeb to inscribe it is a good indicator that it's for a real fan, and not for resale.
Case in point: One of my first autos was to Mary Tyler Moore (back when she was still signing TTM), and I received the picture back unsigned with an AP(autopen). About a year later, after I learned more about collecting, I sent the pic again asking for her to make it out to me, and received it back signed/inscribed, with another one of hers S/I.
If you're a real fan, and the autos are not for resale, it's always best to ask for them to make it out to you. About half the time they will. Note: for some reason, politicians and big musicians are rare, TV and retired stars inscribe commonly. Megastars, be wary and watch out for secretarial.
One thing I've found is that you'll have a better chance for a real sig with some big names (I'm talking major star here) if you ask them to personalize it, especially if you ask them to inscribe it with your name.
The theory behind this is that autos lose approx 30-40% of their value if it's inscribed (To _____). So, asking the celeb to inscribe it is a good indicator that it's for a real fan, and not for resale.
Case in point: One of my first autos was to Mary Tyler Moore (back when she was still signing TTM), and I received the picture back unsigned with an AP(autopen). About a year later, after I learned more about collecting, I sent the pic again asking for her to make it out to me, and received it back signed/inscribed, with another one of hers S/I.
If you're a real fan, and the autos are not for resale, it's always best to ask for them to make it out to you. About half the time they will. [i]Note: for some reason, politicians and big musicians are rare, TV and retired stars inscribe commonly. Megastars, be wary and watch out for secretarial.[/i]