Celebrity Autograph Collecting TTM
I have been collecting autographs TTM (Through The Mail) for a few months now. It is a very exciting and rewarding hobby that only costs you the price of an envelope and postage stamp. Many celebrities and athletes sign items through the mail and it is a very easy way to start, or continue, your collection.
Celebrity Autograph TTM Tips
Here are my top 10 tips on sending celebrity autograph requests through the mail
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Webkinz
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1. Always inlcude a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE).
2. Address the athlete or celebrity as Mr. or Mrs./Ms.
3. Use of the words "Please" and "Thank You" is a must.
4. Always include enough return postage no matter what you are sending.
5. NEVER send anything TTM that you can't afford to lose. Some celebrities don't sign TTM.
6. Write a FAN LETTER, not a REQUEST LETTER. Mention how this person has made a lasting impression on you in some way.
7. Never send more than 2 items unless that person has granted you permission ahead of time.
8. To go with #7, if you are unsure if the celebrity you are writing will sign TTM write a short letter asking their permission. Being thoughtful will go a long way.
9. Be prepared to wait. This can be the hardest part, especially if it is a celebrity or athlete you really like. Some requests get back in 7-10 days, while others take months and years to come back.
10. This needs to be reinforced, DO NOT SEND ANYTHING TTM THAT YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE.
Webkinz
Home Exercise Equipment
Nutritional Health Supplements
1. Always inlcude a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE).
2. Address the athlete or celebrity as Mr. or Mrs./Ms.
3. Use of the words "Please" and "Thank You" is a must.
4. Always include enough return postage no matter what you are sending.
5. NEVER send anything TTM that you can't afford to lose. Some celebrities don't sign TTM.
6. Write a FAN LETTER, not a REQUEST LETTER. Mention how this person has made a lasting impression on you in some way.
7. Never send more than 2 items unless that person has granted you permission ahead of time.
8. To go with #7, if you are unsure if the celebrity you are writing will sign TTM write a short letter asking their permission. Being thoughtful will go a long way.
9. Be prepared to wait. This can be the hardest part, especially if it is a celebrity or athlete you really like. Some requests get back in 7-10 days, while others take months and years to come back.
10. This needs to be reinforced, DO NOT SEND ANYTHING TTM THAT YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE.
Autograph Books
Here is my list of popular autograph books that list celebrity addresses, autograph prices, and basic autograph information
Recent Celebrity Autograph Successes
All of my successes can now be found at my TTM Autograph blog.
Here is the address to check out my latest successes and also my latest sendouts. Thanks for visiting.
http://celebrity-autograph.blogspot.com
Here is the address to check out my latest successes and also my latest sendouts. Thanks for visiting.
http://celebrity-autograph.blogspot.com
Things To Send TTM for Celebrity Autographs
Many things can be sent through the mail. Here are examples of what I send out.1. Blank Index Cards
2. Custom Index Cards (Usually a photo of the person and their name printed out on 4x6 photo paper)
3. Trading cards (baseball, basketball, etc...)
4. 8x10 photos
5. Magazine Covers
Other people in the TTM community send out jerseys, helmets, balls, postcards, bats, action figures, starting lineups, posters, newspaper clippings (this is a real good idea, one that I am going to do soon).
But remember, DON'T SEND ANYTHING YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE.
Celebrity Autograph Resources
Baseball Autograph Collectors Handbook
Amazon Price: (as of 12/10/2009) 
U S PRESIDENTS: a guide to authenticating autographs
Amazon Price: $28.50 (as of 12/10/2009)
Deciding On Celebrities To Write
Decide on a theme for your celebrity autograph collection
Do not randomly send out autographs requests. You will find the hobby more enjoyable if you pick a theme that suits you. I am a big time sports fan, so I try to pick players that I have watched that made an impact on me.
Possible Themes:
1. Childhood Stars: Write to celebrities that you watched on TV during your childhood.
2. Favorite Movies: Make a list of your favorite movies and write to the cast of that movie.
3. Left handed pitchers: If you are left handed, write to other left handed players that you enjoyed watching.
4. Master's Champions: Write to golfers that have won the Master's.
5. Hometown Heroes: Write to celebrities that share the same hometown as you.
The list goes on and on, but those are a few suggestions to get you started.
Possible Themes:
1. Childhood Stars: Write to celebrities that you watched on TV during your childhood.
2. Favorite Movies: Make a list of your favorite movies and write to the cast of that movie.
3. Left handed pitchers: If you are left handed, write to other left handed players that you enjoyed watching.
4. Master's Champions: Write to golfers that have won the Master's.
5. Hometown Heroes: Write to celebrities that share the same hometown as you.
The list goes on and on, but those are a few suggestions to get you started.
Autograph Letter Writing Tips
Here are my tips on how to write a good autograph request letter
It is important to understand that receiving an autograph is a result of a quality fan letter. The celebrity you are writing isn't obligated to send you anything, but do so as a favor to you for taking time out to sincerely author a letter to them. Here are some tips for a good letter.
1. You are writing a fan letter, not an autograph request letter.
2. Write about various moments in this person's career that have affected you, or made an impact in your memory.
3. Ask questions. Many older athletes and celebrities will actually take time to write you back a letter answering your questions.
4. Handwrite it. This is one I am very big on. Handwrite your letter on nice stationary. It shows that you took time out to sincerely write this person. Too many people use typed form letters (the same letter is used repeatedly and all they do is fill in the person's name).
5. The autograph request comes at the end of the letter. Politely you can ask, "If you have time, could you please sign [insert item here] for me?"
6. Always thank them for their time at the end of the letter.
7. A thank you letter is not necessary, but is always a nice gesture. If the celebrity wrote you a letter back then you should write a thank you letter.
1. You are writing a fan letter, not an autograph request letter.
2. Write about various moments in this person's career that have affected you, or made an impact in your memory.
3. Ask questions. Many older athletes and celebrities will actually take time to write you back a letter answering your questions.
4. Handwrite it. This is one I am very big on. Handwrite your letter on nice stationary. It shows that you took time out to sincerely write this person. Too many people use typed form letters (the same letter is used repeatedly and all they do is fill in the person's name).
5. The autograph request comes at the end of the letter. Politely you can ask, "If you have time, could you please sign [insert item here] for me?"
6. Always thank them for their time at the end of the letter.
7. A thank you letter is not necessary, but is always a nice gesture. If the celebrity wrote you a letter back then you should write a thank you letter.
Autograph Resources
The Standard Guide to Collecting Autographs: A Reference & Value Guide
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009)
Signatures of the Stars: A Guide for Autograph Collectors, Dealers and Enthusiasts
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009)
Sending an 8x10 photo TTM
Sending 8x10 photos through the mail is very popular among autograph collectors. Here is a small guide to help you out.
I start off with an oversized 10x13 Catalog Envelope. This is the main envelope that I enclose everything in. I tried 9x12 envelopes but it was a tight fit for the return envelope and photo. I didn't want to risk the photo being damaged during the opening process.
The SASE should be a 8 1/2x11 Photo Mailer. These are great, have "do not bend" already stamped and are very easy for the celeb to seal up.
Address the SASE and put the necessary return postage on it. I used to just put 2 .39 cent stamps, but the new postage restrictions may require more postage.
Place everything inside the 10x13 mailer, address it, put a return address on it, and place the necessary postage on it.
There you go, it is that simple. Now, I take my large envelopes to the post office to get weighed because the new postage rates on various size envelopes can be confusing and I don't want to risk not getting my item back. The post office will be more than happy to help you out.
I start off with an oversized 10x13 Catalog Envelope. This is the main envelope that I enclose everything in. I tried 9x12 envelopes but it was a tight fit for the return envelope and photo. I didn't want to risk the photo being damaged during the opening process.
The SASE should be a 8 1/2x11 Photo Mailer. These are great, have "do not bend" already stamped and are very easy for the celeb to seal up.
Address the SASE and put the necessary return postage on it. I used to just put 2 .39 cent stamps, but the new postage restrictions may require more postage.
Place everything inside the 10x13 mailer, address it, put a return address on it, and place the necessary postage on it.
There you go, it is that simple. Now, I take my large envelopes to the post office to get weighed because the new postage rates on various size envelopes can be confusing and I don't want to risk not getting my item back. The post office will be more than happy to help you out.
Autograph Resources
Photo/Document Mailer, 9"x11 1/2" (MMM79171) Category: Mailers and Pouches
Amazon Price: $0.89 (as of 12/11/2009)
Quality Park 64014 Quality Park Extra-Rigid Fiberboard Photo/Document Mailers, 9x11-1/2, 25/Bx
Amazon Price: $14.79 (as of 12/11/2009)
Sending Floorboards TTM
If you want to collect basketball autographs, one of the new ideas that I really love is to send small floorboards for them to sign.
These can be bought at Home Depot and look like basketball hardwood floors. Each package comes with ten sheets, with each sheet measuring 12"x12". What is great about these though is they break apart into 4 6"x6" floorboards that are perfect for signatures through the mail. They do not cost much either and look great with signatures on them.
Check out your local Home Depot to see what I am talking about. You will fall in love with the idea.
These can be bought at Home Depot and look like basketball hardwood floors. Each package comes with ten sheets, with each sheet measuring 12"x12". What is great about these though is they break apart into 4 6"x6" floorboards that are perfect for signatures through the mail. They do not cost much either and look great with signatures on them.
Check out your local Home Depot to see what I am talking about. You will fall in love with the idea.
Authentic Celebrity Autographs TTM
How do I know if my autograph is authentic?
You will never know an autograph you got through the mail is authentic unless you were present at the time of the signing. However, you can find resources online that compare signatures to what other people have received to check for authenticity.The most sure way to know a TTM autograph is authentic is by having it graded. The two most trusted grading services are listed below.
PSA: http://www.psacard.com
Becket Grading Services: http://www.beckett.com
Those are the two most trusted autograph authenticators and will let you know if what you received is real or not.
Autograph Resources
The Address Directory of Celebrities in Entertainment, Sports, Business & Politics, Second Edition
Amazon Price: $34.50 (as of 12/11/2009)
The Celebrity Address Directory & Autograph Collector's Guide
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009)
Fake Autographs
Autopen
An Autopen is a mechanical device that signs a facsimile autograph to any flat object, like letters, photos, and cards. The Autopen has the celebrity's signature preprogrammed, and when a pen is inserted into the machine it simulates the celebrity autograph. Good Autopen signatures can be hard to detect, but there are always some signs that give away the use of an Autopen.One sign of Autopen signatures are exact matches. Autopen signs the exact same signature every time. If you have two signatures and they match, exactly the same, then you have an Autopen. Try signing your name 10 times. Yes the signatures will be similar, but they will never be exact.
Shaky signatures are also a sign of an Autopen. When the Autopen signs, it vibrates slightly. If some of the lines in your signature are unnaturally shaky then you most likely have an Autopen.
Look for ink buildup at the beginning or end of the signature. The Autopen starts and stops by lifting the pen directly on and off the paper. This causes a very noticeable dot of ink at the beginning and end of signatures.
Other Lenses of Interest
These are other great lenses done by me that cover similar hobbies
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Reggie Bush Supersite
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Reggie Bush is a University of Southern California alum who is currently playing for the New Orleans Saints. Reggie Bush beat out Vince Young, and teammate Matt Leinart, to win the Heisman Trophy. He was the second overall pick in the 200...
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The Baseball Card Shop
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Welcome to the Baseball Card Shop. Baseball cards and boxes of all sorts can be found here. 2007 Topps baseball cards, Upper Deck baseball cards, and Bowman baseball cards are just a small selection of what we have. Trading c...
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Lebron James
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Lebron James currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers and is arguably the best player in the NBA. Lebron James was named Ohio's "Mr. Basketball" 3 times before declaring himself eligible for the 2003 NBA draft after his senior year...
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The Football Card Shop
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Welcome to the Football Card Shop. We have all your football card needs. Topps football cards, SAGE football cards, and Press Pass football cards can all be found here. We are your one stop shop for football cards.
Autograph Resources
Autograph Collector Celebrity Autograph Authentication Guide: Authentic Examples of Over 1,000 Celebrity Autographs
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009)
Baseball autograph handbook: A comprehensive guide to authentication and valuation of Hall of Fame autographs
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009)
Celebrity Autograph Guestbook
Please tell me what you think
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Reply
- jembie jembie May 6, 2008 @ 9:08 am
- A lot of great tips here, even for a veteran of autographs like myself :)
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- Enchanted_Ways Enchanted_Ways Jul 26, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
- Great lens! So many great tips!
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- things-and-other-stuff things-and-other-stuff Jun 17, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
- Great lists, well done! Added you to my lens roll. Keep it up!
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- The_Health_Lady The_Health_Lady Jun 15, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
- Pretty cool lens! Bookmarked it for my husband - better hide my wallet.
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- RockDiesel RockDiesel Jun 15, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
- A big thanks to everyone that has ranked and commented on my lens. I am glad everyone has enjoyed it.
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