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When most people think of Autograph Collecting, what comes to mind is usually basic information that’s not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there’s a lot more to Autograph Collecting than just the basics.

Before the advent of cell phones, television, ipods, computers, and other forms of technology, autograph collecting was one of the most treasured past times. This interest was done on all levels, the very young, the young adult, the mature adult, and even the more wisdom matured. In fact autograph collecting was so popular until there were special books produced especially for autograph collecting. This autograph collecting was not necessarily geared to celebrities only.

Persons in the community were more accessible than movie stars and sports figures, so autograph collecting was popular throughout all walks of life. In the nineteenth century keeping an autograph book for the purpose of autograph collecting was a popular practice. As the word got around about autograph books and they became available at the local five and dime stores, it was a must have, just as the cell phone is today. The autograph book was even more popular in many areas than the personal diary. Many people during the 1950’s and 1960 have purchased autograph books. Most of these autograph books were designed for just what the name of the books implies and that is autograph collecting. These books were small, about eight inches tall by five inches wide. The book had 70 pages. Some books had different colored pages. Usually the pages were in pastel colors, such as pink, blue, lilac, yellow, and light green.

If you find yourself confused by what you’ve read to this point, don’t despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.

The popularity of these books was unbelievable in high schools and on the college campus. These autograph books were circulated from classmate to classmate during the recess period and during social functions at school and away from school. There were two goals for this autograph collecting. The first goal and perhaps the most important was to get a signature from every classmate. Secondly, it was a desire to fill every page in the book. You were honored and delighted when someone, who was collecting autographs, asked you for your autograph. Those classmates who were high up the ladder rungs in popularity were sort out first. Sometimes in fact there would be a little line waiting to get the persons autograph. Even more so, everyone wanted to have the teachers, administrators and other school personnel sign their book. Getting these signatures had the same importance as it is to get celebrity signatures today.

Some of these autograph books still exist today. Autograph collecting collections can be found in many special collections on campuses today in the college libraries. Many students wrote their favorite verse or quotation before autographing the book. Others wrote about special memories shared with the person during this period of time. These memories included college pranks, dormitory rooms, card games, hangouts, and stunts. Nothing is left out of these books. Included in these books are accounts of professors and various class experiences.

It was not unusual for some who were less verbal to just autograph the book and date it. As you can see autograph collecting, crosses all walks of life, all races, and socio-economic levels.

There’s a lot to understand about Autograph Collecting. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

Current info about Autograph Collecting is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report includes the latest Autograph Collecting info available.

Many celebrities use different methods for autographing in place of the real signature. Most autograph collecting is done solely for the real autograph of these people that are famous and well thought of. As we all know, celebrities of all kind are busy people, so a lot of the signature signing when not in person is done in a variety of ways. That is why, you can only be sure of an authentic signature or autograph in autograph collecting when you get it in person.

In autograph collecting by mail and other exchanges, you need to know that you may get an autograph but it may be done not by hand or the celebrity?s hand but by autopen or some other method. One of the most popular ways famous people have for sending out autographs for autograph collecting is by using a staff member to sign for them. Some famous people have a staff, so call PR staff, for the expressed purpose of signing autographed photo and distributing them or mailing them to individuals who are autograph collecting. In other words, if you receive an autograph via mail, it may not be the real thing. But at least you have something; it depends on the focus of your autograph collecting.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

If your autograph collecting is simply a hobby, a copied photo signature may serve your purpose. If your autograph collecting is an investment, then you want the real signature and need to pursue autograph collecting avenues that will provide you with the real signature. When you receive a non-authentic autograph from a celebrity, it should not be perceived as disrespect for fans or how they feel about their fans. Some celebrities may be too old, sick, filming a new movie or on the road touring to have time to give you a real signature. That is why some famous people use the autopen autograph. John Isaac Hawkins, an Englishman developed the first autopens. He received a US patent in 1803. Thomas Jefferson was one of the first to start using the device in 1804 for autograph collecting. The autopen is a machine that can duplicate a signature over and over. A signature is copied onto a template that is inserted into the machine. This mechanism will copy the signature onto an item such as a photo, 3×5 cards, or letter for autograph collecting. For the most part you can tell if an autopen has been used by it’s lack of natural flow, the signature is shaky as the autopen vibrates and the flow of ink is consistent, plus an ink blotch that looks like a period is at the end of the signature.

The blotch/period is a result of the marker in the autopen machine coming to an abrupt halt at the end and resting in one spot of the item too long before being lifted off. It goes without saying that each autopen signature will look exactly alike. Another way to tell if you have an autopen signature is to write for another autograph. Compare the signatures by laying them atop each other and hold up to a light source. If they coincide with each other, you have an autopen signature. Harry Truman is believed to be the first President to use the autopen in a business way for mail and signing checks. Today this device is used by politicians and fundraisers to sign letters. If you are autograph collecting, you need to try and verify the origin of the signature.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

An investment in time may be all you need to become a success at autograph collecting. This hobby may be one of the least expensive hobbies. However, any hobby can become as expensive as you make it. There are many autograph collecting hobbyists. Some of these hobbyists are people of interests’ themselves. In this hobby you are able to set goals and schedule your time to pursue this hobby when you have time. All you are looking for when you are autograph collecting is a signature. To get a signature does not have to take a month of Sundays.

At big gatherings where there are large crowds, it may take more time to get an autograph than in a small setting. If the person is very famous, it may take hours to get a signature, because more than likely the lines will be longer than for a local community leader. Nevertheless, the autograph of a famous person will be more special than some one in the local community. If you keep abreast of activities in the community and surrounding areas you can plan your autograph collecting to maximize the time you have to get your autograph collecting done. A great place to look for autographs is at your local mall. On special occasions, celebrities show up at malls and you just may get a real autograph without a huge investment of time. Some autograph collecting is done by mail.

Now that we’ve covered those aspects of Autograph Collecting, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

If you decide to get your autographs by mail, be ware you may not get the real thing. Even if you decide to use the mail for your autograph collecting, it still will take time. In fact it will take much longer by mail than autograph collecting in person, if you get it at all. Take your chances, if mail is the only way for you to reach certain individuals for autographs collecting. Autograph collecting is a very enjoyable hobby, but you will need plenty of patience, time and stamina. Make it a habit to be prepared to collect autographs wherever you go. When you are prepared you are using the same time for many different things. For an example, you may go shopping and run into someone who is on your list of autograph collecting. Take time then if possible and get the autograph and Walla you have killed two birds with one stone. You just never know when you are going to run into a celebrity in a moment’s notice.

At least you can carry some index cards around with you and not miss out on the chance to get the autograph. Autograph collecting is a great way to spend free time. You get to meet new people and share ideas of interest with each other. In large metropolitan areas, you have to use caution, because there are many look a likes. So know who’s who before you approach this person of interest. Autograph collecting can bring many moments in time to life with a better understanding of the person and the event.

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of Autograph Collecting. Share your new understanding about Autograph Collecting with others. They’ll thank you for it.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just joined this Free Website Traffic generation site

The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with Autograph Collecting.

Autograph collecting can be a very rewarding and a fun hobby. If you are autograph collecting as an investment, meaning you plan to sell part of your collection from time to time, you may be disappointment with some of your autographs. Celebrities may use several ways to provide autographs for you. One methods used for autographs is a designated staff member. This person uses his time to autograph pictures, and other memorabilia for autograph collecting. Secretaries and other staff members practice signing the signature of celebrities and sign a very similar signature for autograph seekers.

The famous can stretch their visibility this way. Time is the reason for using others to do what fans want the famous to do. Many times there is no way to know the difference except you see it for yourself. Autograph collecting requires a human touch and unlike some of the other kinds of collecting can be easily copied. When you get two autographs from the same person and they are just alike, you know that some kind of automation was used.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

It is humanly impossible to sign your name the same way every time. Therefore, some celebrities choose to use individuals to sign for them so the autograph is given a look of authenticity. The celebrity business have many requests daily for signatures, so this is one way they choose to accommodate these requests. It is not unheard of for a famous person to be completely out of the country for months and months at the time and still send you an autograph from their address. For the hobbyist, this is acceptable in many instances because they have no interests in making money off of the signature. If the autograph collecting is done as an investment, it is better to get autographs in person, and then you know what you are getting. There are many outlets too that sell autographed pictures and other items by celebrities. Many of these businesses are unscrupulous dealers who are out to make a quick buck.

Choose what kind of autograph collecting you wish to do. If you are just look for something as a reference point, this may not matter to your collection. These autographs are not free. These are businesses and these people earn a living selling all kinds of collectibles not just signatures but any collectible that will generate a dollar. If you do serious autograph collecting, take the time to see the person sign, and then you will know that you are getting the real thing. Another way stars use to send out autographs is by using a stamper. When a signature stamper is used, you will know it because every signature is the same. If you get two signatures from the same person and the two signatures are exactly alike more then likely a stamper has been used or some other form of automation.

With the advances in technology today, it is very easy to duplicate a signature. There are dealers of collectibles who preprint autographed photos of celebrities. If you want to have a true collection, when you are autograph collecting, it is best to get your own autographs.

Those who only know one or two facts about Autograph Collecting can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you’re learning here.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just joined this Free Website Traffic generation site

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about Autograph Collecting. When you start sharing the fascinating Autograph Collecting facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

Autograph collecting takes time and concentration in almost every situation. Therefore you don’t want to miss out on great opportunities or chances to pursue your hobby or a chance to add to your livelihood. What greater way is there to collect autographs than at one of your professional, church, political, fraternal, or social convention.

If you are an active individual, and you must be since you are a collector, you will attend one or more conventions each year. You never know who you will meet at these conventions. So when you attend these events be prepared for autograph collecting. Many conventions have noted and well known guest speakers such as politicians, community activists, well known authors, and educators. If you purchase a book by an author and he is a guest at the convention, autograph collecting from that author is almost a sure thing. The nature of the convention will dictate more or less who will attend. Autograph collecting is limited sometimes when a convention is highly specialized, such as a convention for social workers, or a convention for day care workers and some of the other less poplar conventions.

Truthfully, the only difference between you and Autograph Collecting experts is time. If you’ll invest a little more time in reading, you’ll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to Autograph Collecting.

Even if you are not attending the convention it is sometimes possible to mingle among the conventioneers and get some autographs from noted speakers and other persons of interests. When you are autograph collecting you are giving a person a feeling of self worth. Who will refuse a chance to be recognized in a positive way? Conventions also provide many resources for you to use for autograph collecting. There are usually plenty of handouts pertaining to the convention plus there are other vendors there who are marketing. Some of these vendors hand out some of the things you may need down the road, like pens, pencils, and memo pads. If you by chance meet someone else who is autograph collecting, it affords you a great opportunity to exchange ideas about your collecting interest. It is very important to find out who is at these conventions. Have you ever been to a function and left and didn’t know a certain celebrity was there until you were back home? It is easy to do because at conventions you are not in all the sessions that take place at these conventions. If you are not in a particular session you just don’t know.

People have been known to miss certain sessions at some of these conventions in order to meet and see other people. When you are autograph collecting you have to go where the autograph is. Remember that a renowned individual at a convention is not listed on the program. If they are not involved in the convention in a special way, the person in charge of the convention may not know this special individual is in the audience. It just may be coincidental that this person is in town during the convention. Your autograph collecting can take on a new meaning if you are able to get these autographs.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this URL Shortening Service, working exactly like TinyURL.com!

When you are not sure of what you are doing, it is best to start out small. While you are learning how to buy the inexpensive way is the way to go if you are autograph collecting. You sure don’t want to waste your money. It may not be your intention to buy to resale, but you sure want to be satisfied with your autograph purchase.

You need to ask the dealer questions and more questions, such as the source of the autograph, how long the dealer has been in business, and you may even ask for customer references. Even with all of this, you still be dealing with someone who has less integrity than you desire. If the dealer provides evasive answers to your questions, or if he provides unsatisfactory answers to your questions, let that be a warning sign and do not rush into any offer no matter how good it sounds. Time is important when autograph collecting, nevertheless, it may be better to waste time then money. When you decide to resale your investment ten years from now, you want to be sure you have something worth selling. And even more so that the mementoes you pass on to your love ones were actually signed by your hero, not someone in the penitentiary serving time for fraud.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about Autograph Collecting. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

You have to be smart, do some research, make contacts with other dealers and autograph collecting people and remember the old adage,? If it’s too good to be true, it probably is! Dealers who are respectable and with integrity will not mind such questions because they understand that you may be new to the hobby of autograph collecting and need to ask more questions to verify any purchase you make.

A seasoned person autograph collecting is more astute and will be able to spot most rip-off artists who want to make quick money by forging an autograph of a hot celebrity. Using online auctions for autograph collecting can be deceiving and these auctions should be used with caution. You may get many good deals from online auctions on items like baseball cards, comic, and other collectibles. But when it comes to bidding on autographs, you may just be bidding on a forgery. Your recourse if this happens may be limited because these kinds of people disappear literally into thin air after they upload a batch of fake autographs. The sad thing about auctions, you can’t put too much stock in the feedback portion. Let’s face it, if they knew the item was a forgery, more than likely they would not have bidded. When autograph collecting and you order something online, you give positive feedback based on how quickly the order delivered.

It may be several days, months, or even years before you discover that you have been taken or ripped off. You need to fine a few reputable dealers that you can trust. You don’t need a mall full of dealers, because the higher the number of dealers you’re buying from, the more likely you will buy some un-authentic autographs. Autograph collecting is a challenging task. If you really want to be at the top of your interest, join an organization such as the UACC. You can become a regular member of one of these groups for a low membership fee. The collective wisdom of the membership will teach you a lot. Stick with the dealers you can trust.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this URL Shortening Service, working exactly like TinyURL.com!

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of Autograph Collecting is certainly no exception.

For years, people have been collecting autographs in many ways and in many different ventures. In the early days, there were those who could not write. The few who could read and write were highly respected. In the early years an ?X? represented a signature for those who could not write. Belief it or not some collectors have ?X? signatures in their collection. If you were not a part of the elite class in the early days, your chance of getting an education was not to be. You had to work on the land for the most part to make a living. Your working hours were the ?sun up to sun down? shift. It was during the early years, when autograph collecting became very popular.

Every other person wanted you to autograph something for them as a keepsake. It is amazing but this love for autograph collecting is just as popular today and it may be even more so. Why? An improvement in transportation and communication makes this possible. People are more accessible to each other. Even more so, more people can read and write today than yesteryear. Autograph collecting is not always done on paper.

If you find yourself confused by what you’ve read to this point, don’t despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.

Some collectors had their shoes autographed by close friends and family members. Many of these shoes serve as part of a personal autograph collection. During the 1940’s and 1950’s, it was a popular pastime for high school students to have the saddle oxfords signed by classmates. Only the white part was autographed. These popular shoes of the day were either black and white or brown and white. In yard sales and antique sales, you just may find these treasures representing a time in our history. Autograph collecting today involves the signing of clothing items such as caps, t-shirts, jeans, jackets and other pieces of clothing. High school students and especially seniors still do a lot autograph collecting. Some high schools have what is called ?signing day.

During this day yearbooks are distributed to the student body. Students use this day to collect autographs to remember these special days in their lives. Some of this autograph collecting is done with special colors of pens. Students try to individualize their yearbook by using different formats within the signing portions of the yearbook. This autograph collecting continues off and on during the remainder of the school year. Even with this designed day, it is very difficult to get all the signatures you may wish to get. Seniors usually try to get all of their classmates and favorite teachers, administrator, and teachers. This may be the very last time they get a chance to get some of these autographs. Some classmates never see each other again. Autograph collecting on caps is very popular at race tracks. This is especially true at some of the big races, such as the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis race. This is one time when it pays to try to get the real thing.

Even if you can not get an autograph from your favorite, it pays to get what you can. Why you must ask? On down the road you may be able to exchange a separate signature for one that you want to add to your collection. There are thousands of people at these races so seize the moment and take advantage of this chance to do real autograph collecting.

Those who only know one or two facts about Autograph Collecting can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you’re learning here.

About the Author
Have you visited Anders’ latest site yet? This one is great if you need new fresh Free Adsense Sites

It is no secret that autograph collecting seekers are looking for the real thing if you can get it. In order to do so, we must know the factors that determine the value of what we collect. For those who are doing autograph collecting as an investment, meaning you plan to later sell or leave you collection to children or other family members as part of an inheritance, you want to collect valuable autographs. It is important not only to know what to look for, but also how to maintain the value you have If you can maintain your autograph collecting finds, then you will not have to replace items, losing money in your investment as well as losing time.

It does not matter why you are autograph collecting, you want to be sure you have a collection of some value as it reflects history and your favorite personality.

It’s really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of Autograph Collecting. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.

Usually autograph collecting is started at a very young age when value may not be as important as it is when you grow older. Nevertheless, it pays to take the time to factor into your autograph collecting some things to look for when you are autograph collecting. Unfortunately, most of the time we do not have time or money to meet the famous people from whom we would like to do autograph collecting. Movie Stars, sports figures, musicians, television personalities, and high ranking politicians are not walking past our front or in the supermarket where we shop. One of the most important factors that will determine the value of an autograph is known as ?supply and demand?. Some times when you are autograph collecting, you may find a battered document that looks worthless, but if some authentic rare signatures are on it, you just may have found a gold mine. There are an abundance of factors and variables that will dictate to you the value of something. At times we may appreciate having some thing in poor condition than not having it at all.

So look at supply and demand when you are autograph collecting as one of the determining factors for the value of your find. Another factor to consider is the autograph itself. The autograph needs to be readable without having to use your imagination. After all in autograph collecting nothing is more important than the autograph. If you cannot make out the autograph, you don’t have one. Water/coffee damage and other stains take away some of the value of your autograph collecting finds. People who are seeking autographs are looking for the best. If you autograph collecting finds are in poor condition, and there is not a crux for finding the autograph, you lose a chance to get top dollar. Autographs you may find in pencil are of little value. In earlier years autograph collecting was done with the use of ink pens (dipped in ink), now a day ball point pens are the signing choice.

Ink has always been the preferred way to do autograph collecting because it is not as erasable as those signatures done in pencil. Also pencil writing has a tendency to fade and you can not keep it for long periods of time.

Don’t limit yourself by refusing to learn the details about Autograph Collecting. The more you know, the easier it will be to focus on what’s important.

About the Author
Check out Anders Eriksson’s latest creations: Online Marketing Succes and Make Money With Adsense

Are you looking for some inside information on Autograph Collecting? Here’s an up-to-date report from Autograph Collecting experts who should know.

Have you ever been on a trip and wished you had brought your camera? Well don’t get caught being unprepared to do autograph collecting. When you take a cruise, there are many opportunities for you to do autograph collecting. Cruises expose you to a diverse population of people who live in a diverse and beautiful world.

And believe it or not you have a chance to live with, talk to these people, and become a part of this diversity for the number of days you are cruising. Most of these people you have never seen and will never see again so why not bring them home with you by autograph collecting. This environment provides an opportunity for autograph collecting at an unusual level. Most collectors never get a chance to do this kind of autograph collecting because of the expense involved. On the ship you will find people of all nationalities, on all socioeconomic levels, various occupations, and educational levels. You never know when you are in the presence of someone who will be famous in future years. People take these cruises to have fun and as a vacation. Nevertheless, many are honored that you want their autograph and will give it to you willingly. If you are an autograph collecting enthusiastic, you will seek out diversity and when you get back to your cabin take the time to make notations about these signatures so you will be able to identify with them.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about Autograph Collecting. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

While on the ship make sure you get signatures from as many of the officers and staff members as possible. During the food presentations try to get not only pictures of the food, but also but include the chefs and collect their autograph. During the nightly shows, your investment of time may pay off handsomely if you can collect autographs from some of the performers. There is a real chance that this kind of autograph collecting may pay off in a big way.

If you sign up for some of the tours on your cruise itinerary, you have the opportunity for even more interesting autograph collecting. When you go out into these villages and communities you will be greeted with unbelievable finds. Autograph collecting is a great way to document many of these experiences. As you progress along with your collecting you will have many opportunities to share these treasured moments with others. There is a lot of history stored in these areas. Autograph collecting is one form of history that can be passed on from generation to generation. Much of our history has been gotten from someone who took the time to document in writing various events of the time.

You may even want to take pictures of certain areas and get some autographs from people in the area. An example would be to take a picture of a church in Panama and the minister’s picture get the signature of the minister as a part of your documentation. When you take the time to organize your finds, include the signature with the pictures together. What a great way to generate some unusual things while autograph collecting and have a great unforgettable cruise also.

Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in Autograph Collecting. When people start looking for more information about Autograph Collecting, you’ll be in a position to meet their needs.