How do some people have so many autographs

[Buckelew]

I have been collecting autographs since feb 2010 and have 50 autographs.but I see some people who have been collecting since 2003 2004 around there and have more than 1000 autogrpahs.I did the math and how do they possibly afford all the stamps it take to do that?.You would have to send out enevelope everyday unless a lot of them where in person anyone have some answers?

[khackdrums]

Some people send custom note cards or small photo's (4x6/5x7). Both of these things make it affordable enough to send out a ridiculous amount of requests out. These types of requests cost practically nothing for the photo and the minimum cost for first-class postage. Compared to someone, like me, who sends 8x10's that cost $3 for the photo and a hefty price for postage, this is chunk change. Naturally, someone sending larger photo's will send out fewer requests, have a smaller collection, and choose more wisely who they send to. Others are autograph hounds and have access to celebrities IP. Finally, astonishingly, others don't know the concept of a budget; granted most of the people on this forum aren't old enough to know what a budget is, or why it's important. Personally, I have stopped sending out requests all together. I had to cut some unnecessary expenses, autograph collecting, unfortunately, was one of them.

What amazes me the most is how someone can come up with enough things to say to 200 celebrities, let alone 1000, or how they have enough time on there hands to write so many letters. I can only think of 100 celebrities I would ever write to, many of whom I already have.

[canadagraphs1]

Doing ONLY in person autographs, in 21-22 years, I have gotten over 100,000 autographs.
The reality though is, I've probably only got autographs from 3-5,000 people.
Also, a lot of that is from pre-2000 when athletes & celebs were far easier to roll 10-15 items on at a time.
When you get 10 autographs from someone at once, they add up quick. It was not uncommon for me to get walk away at the end of a trip for a hockey team with 200+ autographs on 1 trip.
TTM might be good for people who cant go in person to get them, but reality is, to get quantity, in person is far more successful.

[Ink&Bones]

As the other have said, if you only send out stuff that will fit in a normal, business sized envelope, it only costs 88 cents total to mail a request. Also, MANY celebrities will send an autograph if you ask via email. I've only been on this site a little over a month and have already gotten back 18 authentic signatures, most thru emails!!

[Tabby]

I have 40 autographs and have been collecting since 2007. I don't send them out all the time because I'm a college student and have to watch how much I spend. I use smaller envelopes so it's just $.88. Plus it's more fun to space it out.

[velvetgold]

You'd be surprised..... there's a thread on here where people discuss what's the most letters they've written in one day... some people were saying 50+! Which to me, sounds nuts, but, I guess that's how some people collect so many.

[swiftndbieber]

i think its ridiculous how some people get so many. honestly how can you even be a fan of that many people, i only send about one every other week because i live in england and most of my fave celebs live in america it costs me a fortune to post one (postage £1.90 and 2 international reply coupons £2.80) i dont hae enough money to send out loads as i am still in school and dont even get pocket money so just have to use whatever change i have

[velvetgold]

honestly how can you even be a fan of that many people

Why is it impossible for people to like that many celebs?! There are a TON of celebrities I love, and a ton of celebrities who's autograph I'd like to have.
Another important thing to remember is that just because someone sends out a request, doesn't mean they are a HUGE fan of the celebrity. Some people simply want someone's autograph because it would be a neat addition to their collection, not necessarily because they're a huge fan. Not everyone writes letters only to people they really really love.

[chriscollector]

It's not possible to be a fan of 1,000+ people. It's understandable to like a movie, television series, or sports team; which allows you to collect the entire cast/team.

What seems to happen is when someone gets a taste for TTM they go crazy, after they run out of their favorites list, they move to stars known to sign, email, and start doing cast projects.

As far as the expense, not all of the board is kids using their allowence or parents money to send mail. Someone with a job can essentially send as many requests as they can write in a pay period. Since I've been collecting I always have $$$ set aside for collecting. This is my hobby so it's nothing for me to use the money I earn on building my collection. Also some months I may only send 10 or 20 requests, but when a new baseball season starts, new season of my favorite show releases the poster, or I find a new project to work on I might send up to 200 that month. If you budget accordingly you can send much more.

[Ink&Bones]

honestly how can you even be a fan of that many people

Why is it impossible for people to like that many celebs?! There are a TON of celebrities I love, and a ton of celebrities who's autograph I'd like to have.
Another important thing to remember is that just because someone sends out a request, doesn't mean they are a HUGE fan of the celebrity. Some people simply want someone's autograph because it would be a neat addition to their collection, not necessarily because they're a huge fan. Not everyone writes letters only to people they really really love.

Couldn't have said it better myself!!