A few questions, just started.

[ekkusu]

I’m just starting out, so I’d like a few tips. Please & thank you.

1. I have a few A4 envelopes. So I send the letter in the A4 Envelope, and fold a self addressed envelope(A4) in half inside the A4 envelope, so the celebrity can send an autograph back? Or should I get a slightly larger envelope to send it so I don’t have to bend my SAE?

2. I live in Hong Kong, China and I want to send a letter to the UK. How many IRCs should I put into the envelope? 3?

3. How do you request an autograph? Could you give me an example?

4. Do you usually send a photo along with your letter?

5. How long have you been collecting autographs? Do you really “collect” them, or do you just send letters to your favorite stars?


Thank you so much!

[osiris]

Welcome

First off, you'll find many answers to your questions in the existing topics here, especially the stickied ones.

1. You can go ahead and fold your SAE. Getting a larger envelope to send it in only ends up increasing postage, which you want to avoid.
3. Your letter should be personal to you, we cant really advise you on how to ask for the autograph except to say that you should be polite at all times
4. I don't, but you can do, and often the celebs (especially less well known ones) are interested in you as their fan.
5. About a year and a half. I collect autographs from people I admire or am a fan of (as I think most people do... collecting just for the sake of it seems a little silly to me).

[Diora]

2. I live in Hong Kong, China and I want to send a letter to the UK. How many IRCs should I put into the envelope? 3?

I think 3 will be enough.

[Paigey012]

1. I have a few A4 envelopes. So I send the letter in the A4 Envelope, and fold a self addressed envelope(A4) in half inside the A4 envelope, so the celebrity can send an autograph back? Or should I get a slightly larger envelope to send it so I don’t have to bend my SAE?
You can fold your SASE's thats fine

2. I live in Hong Kong, China and I want to send a letter to the UK. How many IRCs should I put into the envelope? 3?
It all depends on the weight of your envelope but I think 3 should be fine.

3. How do you request an autograph? Could you give me an example?
Just explane to the celeb why your a fan, what movies/songs/tv shows you like of theres etc.

4. Do you usually send a photo along with your letter?
I usually send a photo/poster with my letters but you dont have to because most celebs provide there own photos. It is totally up to you!

5. How long have you been collecting autographs? Do you really “collect” them, or do you just send letters to your favorite stars?
I have been collecting for almost 1 now (started last September) and I write to celebs that I am a fan of.

Good luck

[osiris]

OH. A photo! I... read that wrong. I thought you meant a photo of yourself haha. Erm yes, as Paigey said, you can but you dont have to

[DanaRenoMBA]

All of the above seem to answer your questions well. As far as what to collect (just your favorites or collecting for the sake of collecting) Many collect their favorites. I happen to be a long time autograph collector and have a very eclectic (diverse) collection. Every thing from actors, athletes, astronauts, authors, musicians, politicians and more.

Some of my sub-collections include the cast of The Andy Griffith Show, other TV series, Govenors of several states, U.S. Senators, movie casts, autographed albums / CD's from rock bands and others. I actually have well over 5,000 autographs in my collection and it continues to grow. It may be "silly" (no offense intended) to collect the way I do, but my hobby is collecting autographs, and I enjoy just having the historically significant people in my collection.

Of course collecting just a few individuals or the cast of a movie / TV show can be interesting but to each his / her own.

The bottom line is to collect what you want and make it an enjoyable hobby not a chore. So, don't let anyone tell you what to collect, that is entirely up to you. Just enjoy the hobby and collect as much or as little as you want. Also try not to get discouraged when you don't get quick results.