A few questions from a new guy :)

[buzzman15]

Hi all,

Firstly congrats on the site. I found it recently and have been looking through it picking up some really good tips and information.

I do however have a few questions still which I have not found answered. I have looked at the stickies and searched the forums so I am sorry if these questions have been answered elsewhere

So I understand when I request an autograph I should send an SASE but I am a little uncertain of the return postage. Should I ask my local post office for the appropriate stamps for the country I am sending to e.g. USA? Or do I just send an IRC along with an SAE? I have seen people reccomending different options and was wondering if someone could please clarify this.

Also I was wondering if anyone would be willing to post a copy of a letter they have sent which has been successful in obtaining an autograph. I know what to write and what to include I just want to know how others have worded things. I dont want to sound rude when requesting an autograph and dont know quite how I should word it

And finally do you consider a PP or AP good or bad? People speak of them as bad and I can kind of understand but it still isnt like everyone has an autograph from that person.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

buzzman15

[Shambler]

Hi buzzman, and welcome

1. Your post office won't be able to sell you the return postage of another country - only IRC's, if they stock these. Usually an IRC is the most convenient/accessible form of return postage.


2. I can't type up a full letter right now, but a few tips : always address the star as Sir/Ma'am or Mr/Ms/Mrs - it's rude to address someone you don't know by their first name. In your opening paragraph, tell them about yourself, and state that you'd like an autograph. Use the body to compliment and criticise (not harshly!) their work, and the conclusion to re-state once again that you'd be honoured and thankful to receive an autographed picture. I always state that I'd like mine personalized, if possible. Keep your letter no more than 1 page long, as most celebrities don't even read their own fanmail.


3. Alot of people see this differently, so there's no right or wrong. It's definitely a matter of what you are okay with. For me, an autopen, stamp and preprint are pieces of fake junk that have no place in my collection, and I try to get rid of them by selling or trading them.


Hope this helps, and any more questions, feel free to ask ;)

[lizane]

Hello buzzman15!

Welcome to Fanmail.biz! I hope you enjoy it here!

So I understand when I request an autograph I should send an SASE but I am a little uncertain of the return postage. Should I ask my local post office for the appropriate stamps for the country I am sending to e.g. USA? Or do I just send an IRC along with an SAE? I have seen people reccomending different options and was wondering if someone could please clarify this.

You can only use a SASE when you're sending to the same country which you live in, for example you live in the USA and you send to a celebrity who's agency is also in the USA. If you're sending to another country than yuours, you'll need an IRC. I recommend sending at least 2 IRC's if your SAE is 8x6" and 3+ IRC's when it's 9x12". {thumb2}

Also I was wondering if anyone would be willing to post a copy of a letter they have sent which has been successful in obtaining an autograph. I know what to write and what to include I just want to know how others have worded things. I dont want to sound rude when requesting an autograph and dont know quite how I should word it

Address the person politely - Mr. or Ms./Mrs. Your letter shouldn't be longer than one page. I usually write one paragraph about the person's work and the next some info about myself which the celebrity would find interesting. The last paragraph, I ask for the autograph. You can say:
"If it's possible, can you please send me a signed photo? I will appreciate it very much. Thank you Mr...."
or
"Can you please send me an autographed photo and, if it's possible, personalise it to me? I will be very grateful. Thank you..."
or anything really similar! {thumb2} Remember, it's your letter - you can say what you want in it!

And finally do you consider a PP or AP good or bad? People speak of them as bad and I can kind of understand but it still isnt like everyone has an autograph from that person.

When I started collecting, I was quite happy to receive a pp or ap. But since this year, I only write to those who would most likely send authentics. Also, I mostly write via venue now as it's an easy way to get authentics from those who don't sign via agency. {thumb2} But it's up to you, it's your opinion if you want pp/ap and hopefully no-one would critisize it!

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!

Good luck collecting!
Lizanne

[buzzman15]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick replies
The info is really helpful.

I just have one more question, sorry if it is noob but I can't find an answer.
With the photos, if we send one, what size is 'standard' or so to speak? People speak of using 8x10 envelopes so do we use an 8x10 photo?
I am in Australia and we use cm not inches

Thanks in advance,

buzzman15

[lizane]

Hey again buzzman15!

Here in South Africa we also use cm and not inches but I've gotten so used to speaking about inches here! Anyways, 8x10" is 20x25cm and it is the photo size. The envelope can be 20x25cm or bigger.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!

Good luck collecting,
Lizanne