Question: Could you explain how the thumbnails, addresses, etc... work?
Answer: Here's the "key:"
 

Photo: click for larger view

Who this is, how I got this autograph, and how you may get one: Stephanie Seymour <----- name 5415 Oberlin Drive <---- address I used or had worked on that date San Diego, CA 92121-1716 (may or may not work now) I sent a magazine ad with SASE on received on <---- what I sent in, when I mailed it, and when I received it

Question: Where do you get all of these addresses?  Do all of them really work?
Answer:  The majority of these come from other collectors and people frequently post their successes on the alt.collecting.autographs usenet newsgroup.  Some of them no longer work, so it's a good idea to try and find the latest address.

Question:  Are all of these genuine?
Answer:  I can guarantee that all of the autographed comic books are real, since I was there to witness them being signed.  However, some celebrities do use machines, secretaries, or send out preprinted photos, so sometimes you don't receive a genuine signature.  I try to deal only with reputable dealers that back up the autographs they sell with an unconditional gurantee.  To the best of my knowledge all of the items I have on display here are real.

Question:  I'm an AOL user and I have no idea what a usenet newsgroup is!
Answer: Go to www.google.com -  and you can not only search thee past newsgroup postings, but make posts yourself.  Look for the alt.collecting.autographs group.

Question:  Other than sending fan mail, meeting celebrities in person, newsgroups, and dealers, where else can I get autographed photos?
Answer: Several celebrities have fan clubs and official websites that offer signed photos for a reasonable price.

Question:  I just saw a super deal on eBay for an autographed photo of ******* for only $****!  Is this a steal or what?  It says it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity!
Answer:  Even eBay has basically come out and said "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" in regards to the autographs posted on their site and they aren't responsible for the authenticity of the autographs (although, if a known forger is selling things there, eBay will stop the seller from selling on the eBay site).  Keep in mind there are a lot of forgeries floating around on most of the auction sites.   A C.O.A. often times isn't worth the paper it's printed on and a high seller rating just means good service, not necessarily a genuine article.  When in doubt, DO NOT bid!  Or at the very least, ask other people on the alt.collecting.autographs newsgroup.  Here's a link at the UACC:  http://www.uacc.org/forgeries.htm

Question:  Okay, which dealers do you purchase your autographs from?
Answer: I have been happy with these dealers and others have reported good things about them too.

Iconographs - P.O. Box 17093 Las Vegas, NV 89114 (702)796-5677
Autograph World - P.O. Box 254 Durham, NH 03824 (603) 749-9461
JD Bardwell - P.O. Box 324, York, ME 03909 (207) 351-3273
Creation Entertainment - 1010 N. Central Ave. 4th Floor, Glenddale, CA 91202 (818) 409-0960

In addition, Jim Weaver offers regularly updated lists of which famous people do answer their fan mail.
You can reach Jim at this webpage: Autographs in the Mail

Other good links for information:

UACC - United Autograph Collector's Club
Star Archive - thousands of addresses can be found here
Autographcentral.com - lots of addresses and collecting ttips can be found here
alt.collecting.autographs FAQ - lots of general questions answered here

Question:  Gosh, I wanna write to my favorite person, what do I say? Should I include my prized photo?
Answer:  There are some good examples of what to say in a letter at the official alt.collecting.autographs FAQ.   Unfortunately, sometimes either the celebrity tosses out the fan mail or it gets lost or misdirected in the mail, so I'd recommend against sending something valuable to you (make a laser copy of it to send instead).

Question: What's an SASE?
Answer: If you read the alt.collecting.autographs FAQ, you'll see that stands for Self Addressed Stamped Envelope.  Read the alt.collecting.autographs FAQ, and it will explain all the abbreviations and acronyms.

Question:  Can I buy your autographs from you?  I've always wanted one by *****?
Answer: Nope.  Not meaning to sound greedy, but I've worked hard for these and I plan to keep them.  Besides, these are my favorite people too!

Question:  Can I email you and ask you some basic questions?
Answer:  If the answer can be found ANYWHERE either on my webpages or on one of the links, don't expect a reply.  Not to sound mean, but I get a LOT of email from people who don't seem to want to do any research or lift a finger before running to me for help.  I don't have the time to help all of these people out - that's why I've provided the links on this page.

Also please note - I am NOT related to any of these people, I do NOT personally know their managers, agents, etc... read the key up above; it gives the exact details of how I acquired the autograph (that's why I've included the info!). I do not have time to reply to a lot of email like this:

----------------actual email------------------------
Subject: Personally signed photo
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2001 20:47:14 +0100

Dear Sirs,
as very big admirator and fan - I ask you to send a personally signed pfoto of Heidi Klum.

If it´s the wrong e-mail-adress please send it to the right one.

With many thanks and all my best wishes from Vienna

faithfully
Michael.

My adress:

<snip>
Austria, Europe

----------------end of email------------------------

Okay AFTER you've read all this and the links, if you still have a question, email me at: chunker at geocities dot com