Trying to get autographs Through the Mail

Today, I will give my opinions about getting autos through the mail.

I recently received a response back from NASCAR star Joey Logano. I had sent a prepaid envelope and asked for a signed hero card (like a picture, but with stats). When I got it back, I was a little suspicious of the autograph. I cannot verify it, but it looks to be a rubber stamp.

Two years ago, I sent out requests to the living members of the NBA at 50 group. I received responses from a lot of the former players, but not even close to half. I did not get responses from the big names (Jordan, Pippen, Bird, Magic, Shaq, etc.). The ones I did get back, however, were very nice. In a lot of cases, I got back more than I sent.

The worst experience I had was from one on this list. I sent Kareem Abdul-Jabbar a picture that was taken of the two of us together. I received a note back saying that he would no longer sign through the mail, you would have to pay to get his auto in person. They also sent back the picture.

I don't know which is worse, getting my stuff back because I did not pay, or not getting a response at all!

What This Day is All About

(Pardon me while I celebrate this day)

Simply put, This picture represents what I am thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving, Graph Getters! Keep it all in perspective.

Meeting Jeff Gordon

My family and I got to meet Jeff Gordon in July. The day before the race at Chicagoland Speedway, we joined over 200 other Jeff Gordon fans at a hotel in Joliet. We were served breakfast, and were entertained for over three hours before Jeff arrived.
After he arrived, he spoke for a few minutes. We were then dismissed by tables to go up to the stage and get an autograph. Jeff spoke with each person individually, and signed their item, as long as it was licensed by JG Inc. or NASCAR.

I put a couple of pictures up, so you can see the joy he brought us. His autograph was great, and not hurried like it is sometimes when you get it in a hurried situation.

Still Here...

Wow, has it really been 3 months since i blogged? I want everyone to know, I am still collecting, and this page is still active, I have just been preoccupied with family and work stuff.

Updates in the future will include Jeff Gordon, my opinions on through the mail signing, and "stalking" celebrities to get what you want.

Last night's autographs

A baseball signed by Michael Clarke Duncan, a DVD cover of Talladega Nights, also signed by Mr. Duncan, and an index card signed by Frankie Muniz.

Michael Clarke Duncan

There was a charity basketball game in Chicago last night. I got to meet two of the stars that were in the game afterward. Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle) and Michael Clarke Duncan (Green Mile, Daredevil, Talladega Nights) were gracious enough to sign a couple of autographs for me. I will post pictures of the autographs later today.

Mario Andretti

I had the chance to Meet Mario Andretti over a week ago. I had him sign a picture from when I met him a couple of years ago. He was very friendly, and gracious as ever. He is a racing icon that is still very visible to the public.

Until next time...

Autograph Project Completed!

Well, one of my long autograph projects is completed. I have been collecting autographs on 4" x 4" ceramic tiles for over seven years. My inspiration for this project was the NASCAR Cafe in Tennessee. I would say there are over thirty autographs on my rec room wall now. Here is what it looks like (Please pardon the clutter in the picture. My rec room is in a transition process!):

Some of the names on this wall are Marie Osmond, Rusty Wallace, Jeff Gordon, "Weird" Al Yankovic (http://www.weirdal.com/), Kurt Busch, Gene Simmons (from KISS), and Gale Sayers.

It is great to see a project that took this long come to completion. It keeps me going on my other projects that are taking even longer.

Back from Phoenix

Well, it ws hot, dry, and downright gorgeous in Arizona. I came home with autographs from Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch (no surprise, he is GREAT about signing), Reed Sorensen, David Stremme, Justin Allgaier, Sam Hornish, Jr., and Greg Biffle.

I am looking forward to Michigan in June. I will print up some of the pictures that I took, and get thos signed, hopefully.

Until next time...

Off to Phoenix!

I leave Friday morning for Phoenix. I am hoping to get a few autographs, naturally, while I am there. I usually take a lot of supplies (8X10S, HERO CARDS, TRADING CARDS, etc.) with me on race weekends. I find that different situations call for different autographs. My plan is to scope out the haulers and find out the scheduled signings. I would love to come backwith six or seven different autographs. We'll see.

I will be sure to post some pics if I get some rare or famous autographs!

James Worthy

April 6, 2009 -

I traveled to Detroit to get James Worthy's autograph. I am working on a NBA at 50 lithograph and trying to meet each player in person. Mr. Worthy was the 21st autograph on my litho. I am photographing each player signing it, and making a log for posterity...

The event was in coordination with the NCAA Final Four, held in Detroit this year. Of all the players I have met, very few had what I would call a "bad attitude". I do not atribute this to them, personally, they might just be having a bad day.

Speaking of a bad day, I will not get to meet Jeff Gordon until the Chicago race. The Phoenix event was cancelled, which means Bruce and I are just attending the races. I say "just",because we would not have travelled to the race if we knew we were not going to get to meet Jeff.

Until next time...

Jeff Gordon!

Well, I didn't want to mention it in my first post, but I get to meet Jeff Gordon in April!

My brother-in-law (Bruce) and I are flying to Phoenix in April and we will get to meet Jeff on Saturday sometime. We will be going to both the Nationwide race on Friday, and the Sprint Cup race on Saturday. Don't think that just because I am meeting him that he will disappear from the list on the left. I could meet him one day a month, and I would still want to get his autograph in person.

It sounds odd to say, but I don't know what to get signed. Most people could rattle off at least ten things for their favorite athlete to sign. Well, so can I. But narrowing down that list to just one thing is the hard part. I have photos, die cast cars, pieces of his car, even a few DuPont firesuits, but I haven't yet made up my mind on the ONE thing to get signed. I'll keep you posted.

On to other events, my mother celebrated her 72nd birthday yesterday. Like a good son, I called to wish her a Happy Birthday. Her cooking would give Rachael Ray a run for her money. I love my mom.

Until next time...

New Horizons and Goals!

Hello and Welcome to my new blog.

Even though the title suggests Autograph Collecting, which is my main hobby, it will be all about my life. I will try my best to keep Autograph collecting as a main focus. I have never thought about blogging before, but if it helps me clear some thoughts out of my head, then all the better.

As of this date, my son, Will, is eight months old. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. (My wife is a close second.) I am a full time Dad, and I also am in the railroad business.

If anyone is reading this looking for tips to getting autographs, I must suggest two things:
1- get a subscription to Autograph Collector , the best magazine on the subject of autographs,
and
2 - subscribe to signingshotline.com , a great resource for appearances by celebrities, authors, and athletes.

I get no kickbacks for either plug, so that tells you that I truly believe they are worth checking out. I will try to update this blog regularly, but no promises. My family comes first.