How many stamps on SASE?

[andrews23]

How many stamps should I put on a self-addressed stamped envelope?

The only stuff that I usually send out to be signed are 8x10" photos, so the envelope that I send along with the photos are 8.5x11".

My method for sending out SASEs is bring it to the post office, have the person behind the counter measure the weight of the envelope and photos, and then, they provide the stamps to be on the return envelope. Of course, I have to pay for the stamps. After the return envelope is stamped, I put the photos and the SASE inside a bigger envelope, and then, have that mailed out.

Is this a good method to do it?

I'm curious because I just started autograph collecting through the mail in November, and so far, my only successes were Wilford Brimley and Eric Idle. I looked at other successes for Wilford, and turns out that he has been known to pay for extra shipping if he had to. Also, someone said that they had given him $3 along with the photos and the SASE, and he returned the money and still signed the photos. Another person said that he provided a brand new envelope when returning the photos back. So basically, Wilford Brimley will provide results.

As for Eric Idle, he signed my photos and used the SASE that I have provided. However, I noticed that he had added an extra stamp on the envelope. I'm not sure if there was a reason for that. Maybe the person at the post office didn't provide me with enough stamps, but Idle was nice enough to add one more. I'm still not sure why the extra stamp was on the envelope, but I'm absolutely happy that I did get my autographs back signed.

The first person who I mailed photos to get signed (and this got me into the whole "autographs through the mail" thing) was Alexa Vega. I went on her web site, and saw the autograph page. The options were to buy a pre-signed photo, or mail your own photos using the address provided. Being that this was my first mailing autograph, I had a couple of questions that I emailed Vega's manager with. She responded back saying that there was no fee, provide as many photos as I want, and I had to make sure the return envelope had enough stamps.

Now, being that Alexa Vega was the first celebrity that I mailed photos to (and inspired me to do it for other celebrities), I'm not sure if she has been too busy to sign for fans, or if the person at the post office didn't give me enough stamps for the return envelope. Since Eric Idle provided an extra stamp on my envelope, I'm starting to speculate that the second option could be a possibility.

[Hartster]

Based on returns I've gotten where people have sent me a photo, as well as SASEs that have made their way back to me, for US SASEs I usually stick on two airmail stamps (currently $1.10 each) and one forever first-class stamp (currently 46 cents.) I did have one SASE where someone took it to the post office and paid extra (I don't recall how much), but if you want, stick on another first-class forever (or use three airmail stamps.) That's enough to cover the SASE, the cardboard backer, the photo and a sleeve.

This way you don't hold up the line at the post office for the SASE to be weighed and stamped, and then the whole thing weighed and stamped again. You pre-stamp the SASE, and then the clerk just has to weigh and stamp your package to the celebrity.

I also put the SASE closest to the side where the package will get postmarked (e.g., the photo closest to the flap.) This to minimize the damage from the postmarker (or hand cancel) on the photo, and also when the celebrity opens up the envelope, they will see the photo or other item to be signed.