Tom's Autograph Collecting Blog

Write to the Award Winning Cast of Grey's Anatomy!

2007-02-03T18:43:00.003-05:00

You can write to your favorite Grey's Anatomy cast member for an autographed photo by using the following address:

Cast member's name
Grey's Anatomy
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

Also, I have been reading reports that Ellen Pompeo and Sandra Oh have been responding to fan mail sent to:

Grey's Anatomy
Production Office
4151 Prospect Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027

I will be posting updates as I receive reports of autographs received from the other stars of the show. I suspect Isaiah Washington will be laying low for a while though, so I doubt any autographs will be received from him in the near future.

Off-topic: Annoyingly Loud Television Commercial Audio

2006-09-06T21:28:00.000-04:00

With the start of the new fall television season having begun recently, I was reminded of a major annoyance of watching television.

It seems that everytime a television show cuts to a commercial, the audio on the commercial is so much louder as compared to the audio of the television program. I notice this particularly on WNBC (Local channel 4 here in New York).

I find it hard to believe that with all of the spohisticated broadcast technology out there, that this problem still exists.

Am I the only one that is annoyed by this? Let me know!

tv commercial

What part of "Please Do Not Bend" does the Postal Service not understand?

2006-08-31T22:37:00.000-04:00

I have been collecting autographed photos through the mail for more than 8 years now, and there is one major pet peeve that I have with the hobby which continues to rear its ugly head time and time again - all thanks to the fine folks at the United States Postal Service.

Of course, I am referring to the fact that although my self-addressed stamped envelopes (SASE's) bear a large red "Photos: Please Do Not Bend" stamp, my mail carrier somehow manages to fold, mutilate, crush, tear, crease, or get this, BEND, my autographed photos. And its not like I have a miniature mailbox where the mail carrier has to fold the envelope for it to fit into the box. In the recent past, I have resorted to placing a piece of rigid cardboard in my SASE to prevent this issue and this has seemed to help. The problem comes when a celebrity mails an autographed photo back to me without the cardboard or in their own envelope.

Maybe I should use a little reverse psychology and stop stamping my envelopes with the "Photos: Please Do Not Bend" stamp. Maybe it calls attention to the fact that I have an autographed photo in the envelope that I would like to have in one piece and NOT BENT. Perhaps its an irresistible urge to do what I am requesting that they not do - sort of like a child testing authority - touching a painted wall that says "Wet Paint" or running on the grass where a "Please Keep Off The Lawn" sign is posted.

Thanks, U.S. Postal Service - you make this hobby a challenge sometimes. But I will not be defeated. Oh, by the way, can you tell me how many stamps I should include on my next SASME - Self Addressed Stamped Metal Envelope?

do not bend

Sean Lennon: A John Hancock in the John?

2006-02-17T09:02:00.000-05:00

Part of the etiquette of the autograph collecting hobby is to always respect the privacy of celebrities.

A fan apparently crossed the line and asked Sean Lennon for his "John Hancock" while in the "John", as he was taking a break from filming of his music video for "Dead Meat".

According to Lennon's rep, Sean indicated that it was not the right place and time to be asking for an autograph.

This shows the length to which some autograph seekers will go to obtain a celebrity autograph, even pursuing celebrities in a restroom. In the long run, it ends up hurting the autograph collecting hobby in general, as the fans that play by the rules and respect celebrity privacy are increasingly rebuffed by celebrities intent on (rightfully) keeping in control of their privacy.

This is happening more often - celebrities refusing to sign because "fans" can't seem to exercise good judgement in deciding to pursue an autograph. Before approaching a celebrity - always ask yourself - "Is this really an appropriate time to approach a celebrity for an autograph?". If they are in the restroom, or enjoying a meal in a restaurant, or in a private conversation, your answer to yourself should be "No. Maybe next time". You would be doing the celebrity, and ultimately, other autograph collectors - a courtesy.

sean lennon

Sharpie Kicks Off It's 2006 Autographs For Education Program; Aims to Collect 1 Million Autographs

2006-01-27T13:23:00.000-05:00

Sharpie, the favorite marker of autograph collectors, today announced the 2006 Sharpie 'Autographs for Education' program, which officially began on January 1 and runs through the end of the year.

Through this year-long program, Sharpie hopes to collect one million autographs in exchange for $1 million in Sharpie school funds and supplies. As part of this effort, Sharpie is also sponsoring contests in schools where 150 schools can compete for $5,000 each in school supplies. They are also sponsoring a $10,000 college sweepstakes, which will be awarded to ten students 13 years of age and older.

You can contribute your virtual autograph and sign the Sharpie wall or read the full contest rules.

As of the time of this posting, they already have 26,177 signatures..

Tom

sharpie marker

Autograph Collecting Becomes More Expensive Effective January 8, 2006 - U.S. Postage Rates Rise

2006-01-06T23:37:00.000-05:00

Our hobby of collecting autographs through the mail is about to become more expensive effective Sunday, January 8, 2006, thanks to a postal rate increase by the U.S. Postal Service.

First-class letter rate postage will increase from 37 cents to 39 cents.The cost for mailing a postcard will increase from 23 cents to 24 cents.

Of particular interest to us autograph collectors who mail 9x12 or 10x13 manila envelopes, the cost for mailing a second ounce will increase from 23 cents to 24 cents. This means that instead of affixing a 37 cent stamp plus a 23 cent stamp on the SASE and outer envelope ($0.60), we now must affix a 39 cent stamp plus a 24 cent stamp on the outer envelope ($0.63) on both.

For complete information, see the USPS Press Release.

postal rates

Off-Topic But Very Useful Info: Free 411 Service

2006-01-05T22:29:00.000-05:00

Received this tidbit in the e-mail today and found it very intriguing:

"Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 or more for 411 / information calls when they don't have to. When you need to use the 411 / information option, simply dial 1 800 FREE 411 or 1 800 373 3411 without incurring a charge at all except for the minutes required to make the call. This is information people don't mind receiving, let people know."

Being a skeptic, and doubtful of some of the hoax e-mails that I sometimes receive, I checked this out on The Urban Legends Reference Pages at http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/free411.asp

The only drawback is that sometimes you are required to listen to a 10-second advertisement from an advertising sponsor. I have no problem with that, especially if it saves me some money on my cellular phone bill.

free 411

Photographs and Memories: Autographed Photos from the King of Popcorn and the Hamburger King

2005-12-06T10:56:00.000-05:00

Much of the fun and joy involved in the hobby of autograph collecting is receiving autographs from those personalities that you admire, who are not necessarily movie, television, or sports celebrities.

Every so often, I would tire of writing to my favorite television and movie celebrities. I would often change focus and write to my other favorites - politicians, NASCAR drivers, Fortune 500 CEO's and game show hosts.

When thinking of other personalities to write to for an autograph, it occurred to me one day that it might be interesting to write to some of the spokesmen of those products (specifically, foods! -that always seems to be an interest of mine :) that I enjoyed as a child.

Two of the spokesmen that I decided to write to were Orville Redenbacher, "The Popcorn King", and Dave Thomas, of Wendy's fame.

I received responses from both of these men, and both had included some novelties along with their autograph.

From Orville Redenbacher, I received an autographed photo scrawled in ballpoint pen along with Orville Redenbacker stickers and coupons. Sadly, two days after receiving his autograph, he passed away in 1995 at the age of 88 - apparently from drowning in his hot tub after suffering a heart attack.

From Dave Thomas, I received an autographed photo as well as numerous business-card sized coupons for hamburgers, chili, fries, and beverages. Each card was stamped with "Dave Thomas" as the authorized signature. I was so intrigued by the novelty of these items that I decided to add them to my collection rather than to redeem them. Sadly, Dave Thomas died in January, 2002 at the age of 69.

Have you ever received any "novelties" along with your autographed photos?

orville redenbacher

Welcome to Tom's Autograph Collecting Blog

2005-12-05T14:18:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Autograph Collecting Blog that I have just created. I have been collecting autographs, both in-person and through the mail for the past five years. My goal with this blog is to have a place where autograph collectors can share successes as well as exchange celebrity addresses, or anything else relating to the hobby.

I look forward to your comments.

Tom

collecting autographs