Are AP's really a success?

[Droidboy]

I'm pretty new here, but I've been collecting autographs for about 30 years now. Only recently I've gotten rather agressive about it, and only after I discovered this board, did I ever send off for an autograph. Up until a few weeks ago, every autograph I've ever gotten was an in person, minus my Gene Roddenberry signed and canceled check.

Anyhow....the reason I'm posting is that I see a lot of people posting successes about preprints and autopen'd signatures. My question is, while it a success to get something back, neither are really autographs. They're replicas of autographs. So is it just a success that you got something?

Best,

Gregg

[margotchanning]

I just think of them "something". They're not a "success" but they're not an RTS either. I'd rather get an RTS so that I can re-use use my sase but it's nice to think the celeb at least sends "something".

[LikelyLadsfan]

To me what ever you recieve belongs in the success forrum, some people who only get PP's or OP just put the persons name in the title instead of "success!!"

I got a sec recently from john trovolta I put it in the success part but I don't really class it as one, but the inlaws who look at them don't know that I'm going to frame all my autos but johns will not be one of them

[Will Bozarth]

To me what ever you recieve belongs in the success forrum, some people who only get PP's or OP just put the persons name in the title instead of "success!!"

I got a sec recently from john trovolta I put it in the success part but I don't really class it as one, but the inlaws who look at them don't know that I'm going to frame all my autos but johns will not be one of them

yeah... I'm really torn because of the lack of authenticity... my Travolta and Pesci are in frames, but really shouldn't be

[TwiHardPotterFan]

In a way to me it's a success cuz you got something back when some celebs don't send anything but it's of course not nearly as great as an authentic.

[Chris102]

An autopen is an authentic autograph. Not an original autograph, but still an authentic one.

Most people think the word 'authentic' means that it's an original signature, a 'real' signature. 'Authentic' means that it was signed by the particular person you're writing to. So an autopen signature from President Bush is an authentic signature because he signed it himself at one point, but it's not original because a machine is duplicating it.

An autopen signature shouldn't be considered 'fake' because a 'fake autograph' is a forged autograph, and an autopen signature is in no way a forged autograph.

[Shambler]

Some people report their PP's/AP's/stamps/sec's as 'successes', but I choose not to. They're successful in that you're getting something back, but not successful in the sense that you're getting something worthwhile back.

To me none of them can be classified as authentic, as none of them involve the celebrity's hand putting pen to paper. An Autopen is a machine signing, not the celebrity : I don't want a machine's version of the autograph, I want the celebrity to take the time to sign for me personally.

Shambler

[Reav]

I don't consider APs/PPs or secretarials a success in any way. The only thing it tells me is "I'm not to be bothered to sign your damn photo".

[Droidboy]

I am definitely in the camp that anything other than a real honest to goodness, pen in hand autograph, as being fake. To me a AP is a glorified PP, but I respect the other views.

Gregg

[annie985]

I'm happy with AP's. It's nice to know that my letter got to it's destination and that I did get something back in return even if it's not authentic. It's just kind of neat to show friends/family that these are all the people I've written and this is what I got back.