Question for the moderators

[awolgnr]

I have two questions about things that happen on these boards that seem strange to me.

1) Why is a preprint or an autopen considered a "Success" by so many people? I give them to my kids or throw them away. That's not a success at all.

2) What is the point of posting a fan pack "Success" from a professional sports team? They get sent to anyone who asks for one, and in the vast majority of the time do not contain any autographs whatsoever. How do fan packs relate to the hobby of autograph collecting?

Other than these two points, these boards are the best resource I have found on the web for autograph collecting info. Great job everyone! I'd post more often but I don't have a scanner and always send a sase so there is not any new info I can add about my successes that everyone doesn't already know.

Thanks, awolgnr

[elmomommyto2]

Please be nice to all members, including those who like to also collect PP or autopens. Sometimes these will make due since the celebrity doesn't always send out authentics. And it's still considered a success because it's still actually getting something in return.

[cernan]

elmo I personally don't see how he is being mean to anyone.

[on_the_edge]

1) Why is a preprint or an autopen considered a "Success" by so many people? I give them to my kids or throw them away. That's not a success at all.

2) What is the point of posting a fan pack "Success" from a professional sports team? They get sent to anyone who asks for one, and in the vast majority of the time do not contain any autographs whatsoever. How do fan packs relate to the hobby of autograph collecting?

Hello awolgnr,
Welcome to the forums.
In answer to your questions:

1) It all comes down to personal preference I suppose, some people may keep them just for the picture, some people keep them but store them seperately to their authentics and some people just throw them away, like yourself. It all depends on the individual

2) I'm not sure about the fan packs being in England, but it seems like you get some really cool stuff in them, some successes even got a shirt if I remember correctly, that is pretty cool. In relation to autograph collecting, I think it is recieving something in the post from famous people/teams and you do sometimes get PP's in them.

Hope this clears things up a bit

on_the_edge xx

[awolgnr]

Thanks for the info and comments you guys. Yeah, I've saved a few preprints because the pics are nice.

I just get frustrated sometimes when it looks like ____ (insert your favorite non-signer here) is finally signing (woo hoo!) and it turns out to be just another preprint. Anyone know the feeling? For instance, it seems like both Alan Rickman and John Cleese are occasional signers (if they're not working on a project), and it is disappointing when someone lists a success from someone like that, only to have it be a preprint (false alarm in my book). Maybe I want certain signatures a little TOO much!!

The second question arose from the same sort of emotions I guess. Whenever you click on any team name in the database, you get fan pack information but no player information. I KNOW people collect sports autographs through the mail! How come no one posts their successes? Is there a sports only board everyone uses maybe?

And I'm not trying to belittle anyone or make fun of anyone's specific interests. Just asking! Thanks! awolgnr

[jdp3577]

Ill talk about the 2nd quesion, since I like getting the fan packs, to tell the truth I cant tell you why their on here, but Im glad they are. when people post the feedback about what they get and the address used, I know whether to request one from that team.

[on_the_edge]

I don't mind PP's when I'm expecting them but when I write to someone who seems really nice and I get a PP I do feel quite disappointed, especially when they are not Hollywood actors too.

I also think 'GRR if Sir Ian McKellen signs, surely you can too'
Mr McKellen, setting my sights too high

A few I was disappointed with are
Caroline Quentin
Rik Mayall
Emily Watson
Jimmy Carr - I really didn't expect that to be a pp

[elmomommyto2]

I just thought it may be a little harsh to just generally say that getting PP or autopens aren't a success. To some people they are a huge success . Of course I think any collector would prefer to have an authentic, but sometimes you either don't expect to get a PP/autopen either. The way I see it, if you're collecting for personal reasons, I'm just happy to get a reply either way.

[Dallas]

Like me, Ive been dying for years to get Hilary Duff's autograph and my friend got her autograph last week. Hand signed. So she took a copier and made me a preprint. I was soooooo excited and screaming like crazy since I have wrote Hilary 9 times not including todays letter to her concert arena in TX and never got ANYTHING! Even a secretarial at the fake address. I do the hobby to see what celebs handwriting looks like and if anyones matches mine, that i've learned. According to pictures on in person websites I have handwriting like Julia Roberts who happens to be my second favorite actress!!!! Isnt this hobby soooo cool.

By the way I feel this should be in autograph collecting discussions.

Dallas

[ApoTiff]

I totally agree with awolgnr in the 2nd point.
I have to admit, that when I was younger, I used to send tons of letters to football (soccer) clubs and associations. But finally, when I grew up, I stopped doing this. Why? 'Cause, in my opinion, it's without any sense. I mean, if you send a request to a club/association you'll receive a typical fan pack including newspaper, stickers, catalogue with souvenirs, flyers, photos without autographs and, very rarely, pennants or pins. Authentic autographs? Really seldom.
Of course, some of these souvenirs are really cool, and for free, as pennants and pins. But the others (flyers, stickers etc.)? Waste of money.
Indeed, some of collectors might be happy with these successes. But should they really announce these successes on the "Feedback"? It might be better to inform the others of their successes on the "Sports Forum".
As a matter of fact, "Feedback" should be reserved for autographed photos (PP, autopens, authentic).
This is my opinion.
Paul