New collector - baffled about envelopes and foreign stamps!

[sarahkrogers]

Hi everyone!

I'm rather confused about the issue of stamps, and packaging.

Specifically, I intend on sending fanmail and autograph requests to several American celebrities (especially Christian Bale; Baleheads represent!). I live in the UK.

I am wondering what the best thing to do is.

Firstly, I wonder what kind of envelope is best to get. Should I go for 8.5x4 inches, 10x8 inches, or 9x12? Will celebrities have a variety of picture sizes that they can choose from when presented with an envelope of a certain size? I am not bothered how big the picture will be, but I do not want to not get a response because my envelope is too small. Nor, however, do I want to spend more on postage than I need to!

Secondly, what is more cost efficient/simple in terms of postage: should I attempt to order American stamps online, or should I use IRCs? Which will work out cheaper? Will sending IRCs be a pain to the celebrities, or are they okay with it?

Additionally, is there any easy way to figure out exactly how many stamps or IRCs will be enough? Or is it essentially a guessing game? As an estimation, roughly how many American stamps or IRCs do you use (and which kind of envelope do you normally send?).

Sorry for the deluge of questions, but this whole hobby looks like so much fun I can't wait to get stuck in. Also feel free to share your enthusiasm by telling me about your first autograph collecting experience!

Thanks all so much!

~ Sarah

[nowandagain]

Hi Sarah

Welcome to the forum!!

Well, I'll try to answer your questions as best I can:

1. If you're anticipating a photo from the celebrity, I would recommend sending a 9x12 envelope. This will fit the majority of photos that celebrities normally send. If they are going to send you anything bigger they'll most likely supply their own envelope.

2. In the long run, using American stamps is cheaper. You can order them online from the US Postal Service's website. However, if you are unable to obtain US stamps, I would recommend sending along International Reply Coupons (IRC's). Many other members on this forum send IRC's along with their request, so it's not a problem for the celebrity who receives them, as s/he (or more likely an assistant or a representative of their agent) will normally cash in a number of them at a time.

3. In terms of IRC's, 1 will cover a standard letter. If you will be sending a 9x12 self addressed envelope, 2 would be the minimum. If you want, you can send 3 to be sure. As for American stamps, I am not 100% familiar with how much postage that would be. A standard letter from the US to UK costs 84c in postage (up to 20g). Postage prices can be found here.

Don't forget, autograph collecting is all about the wait. Some people wait days, weeks, months or even years to get something back. I hope you can remain patient (which can be very hard at times)!!!

Good luck!

nowandagain [rockon]

[sarahkrogers]

That's really really helpful of you, thank you so much

I think I shall invest in some American stamps but until then I'm going to find a Post Office that does IRCs!

Cheers!

[SophieKnoxville]

Hello Nowandagain and hello SArahkrogers

When people say 9x12... what does it mean please?

9x12 cm?

THank you

[nowandagain]

Hello Nowandagain and hello SArahkrogers

When people say 9x12... what does it mean please?

9x12 cm?

THank you

Hi SophieKnoxville

9x12 envelopes in inches and not centimetres.

This means:

9x12 inches = 23x30 centimetres (approximately)

I hope this helps!

nowandagain [rockon]

[SophieKnoxville]

Thank you nowandagain, it helps me a lot

waa... i didn't know that INCHES existed... :3.

[TheCollector]

Hi guys

As always, great advice from nowandagain {thumb2}

Basically in the UK, 9" x 12" envelopes are known as C4 - (they can enclose a sheet of A4 paper without folding)

6.5" x 9" envelopes are known as C5 - (they can hold a sheet of A4 paper folded in half)

What I tend to do is this:

If I am not sending a photo (or a 8"x6" photo or smaller) then I make my SASE a C4 envelope which I fold to fit inside my C5 envelope, and then I fold my A4 letter in half to fit in the C4.

That way I know my own photo (if I sent one) will fit into the return envelope, but leaving the celeb the opportunity of returning their own photos up to 9"x12".

If I send a larger photo to be autographed (e.g. a 10"X8") then I send a C4 envelope as the SASE folded to fit inside another C4 containing the photo I am sending, and my letter.

I hope this helps!
Ian