Autograph hounds reach to the stars and beyond
What's the first question someone asks after you tell them you met a celebrity? Nine times out of ten it's, "Did you get an autograph?"

The hobby of autograph collecting is growing and ever changing. It reaches back to ancient history and is as current as the latest teenage heartthrob. It is a hobby for those with overflowing bank accounts and for those who can afford only the price of a few postage stamps.

"An autograph is a simple way to preserve a very special moment," said Mark Allan Baker, author of two recently published books on the subject, Collectors Guide to Celebrity Autographs and Advanced Autograph Collecting. "Some believe simple pleasures such as collecting an autograph evoke childhood memories. These are memories not only of a specific game, television show or movie, but of an era when we had little responsibility and when we still thought anything could happen."

There are seven primary ways to acquire celebrity autographs: in-person request; correspondence by mail; acquisition through a friend, relative or associated personnel; purchase from dealers; purchase at auction; trading; and autographed trading-card inserts
(primarily sports celebrities).

Baker said he has had sucess obtaining autographs from celebrities appearing in a city with a population of 200,000 or less. He recommends visiting the five best hotels in town, looking for charter deluxe tour buses, active limosine services, unusual security, and blocked floor access inside. By simply waiting in the lobby, a collector may find the opportunity to politely approach celebrities for signatures.

Correspondence by mail has an overall sucess rate of 25 percent to 35 percent, said Baker. Certain individuals do respond to mail requests, particularly if the request is perceived as sincere and brief, and includes a stamped, self-addressed envelope. A lot of times, a request might be returned with a pre-printed signature or a secretarial signature. By mail autographs are the least reliable.

The stars of sports, film and television are popular categories pursued by autograph collectors. These broad areas can be narrowed to specific targets such as autographed cast photographs from television's greatest series, an autographed photo of every living Academy Award winner, or a single-signed baseball from every living baseball hall-of-famer.

Some alternative categories Baker suggests for those not taken with athletics or the silver screen include military leaders, first ladies, business leaders, authors, Supreme Court justices, and astronauts.

Collecting the signatures of military leaders provides the opportunity to examine historic and recent world events.

A simple autograph of recent military names of note, such as Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf, are valued at $30 to $40. Reaching back, Baker values the signature od Adm. John Drake Sloat, War of 1812, at $35. The signature of Genereal Douglas MacArthur carries a value of $250.

Collecting literary autographs has been popular for over a century. Signed limited and first editions are commonly sought, as are unpublished letters.

"Collectors are best to chose contemporary writers whose material is moderately sought, yet common in the market," said Baker.

An autograph by romance novelist Danielle Steel is valued at $10, as is a John Irving signature. Slightly higher in value and harder to obtain is a Toni Morrison autograph, which Baker values at $25. James and the Giant Peach author Roald Dahl's signature fetches $30.

Collectors can look to the stars, but not to Hollywood, by pursuing astronaut autographs. Some choices within the category are collecting those who were first to achieve a certain event, all those who flew in a certain program, and the 12 men who have walked on the
moon.

"Today's astronauts, most of whom are not under the same umbrella of notoriety as their predecessors, find it much easier to handle their mail personally," said Baker. "It is not unusual to receive an authentic signature with a sincere salutation from most of the current field of shuttle astronauts."

In general, a signature on a piece of paper is the least valuable. Next in line would be a photo with a signature, following that, would be a photo with a humorous or interesting quote. A letter or document with interesting content would be even rarer and would be valued at a higher price. Possibly the rarest items would be  memorabilia from a movie/TV program, which has been autographed by the celebrity.