Maggie Smith Success

Greetings,

Today I’m posting a success from Maggie Smith.

Maggie Smith is an English actress, both on cinema, television and stage.

Most recently, she is known for the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies. She has previously worked with one of the main cast members, Daniel Radcliffe (who plays Harry Potter), in 1999 in a television adaptation of “David Copperfield”.

Professor McGonagall is the head of Gryffindor House and Transfiguration Professor. She began teaching at Hogwarts in 1956. She has been a very important character along the series, where we get to know her better from the first till the last book.

Maggie Smith was really nice with the photo I sent to her, sending it back signed and a little note from her secretary.

Jorge Garcia Success

Today, I’m posting another success from Lost.

Jorge Garcia is most known for his role as Hugo “Hurley” Reyes. He is one of the characters who are in the series from the beginning, and whose story line continues to be revealed.

Hurley is a great character on Lost. From the beginning, we know that he was in a mental hospital and that he has had bad luck after he won the lottery due to the numbers he played. Nowadays, we continue to learn more about him and realize some aspects are different from what we've expected.

Jorge Garcia was great with the photos he sent me: he signed and personalized them all!

Richard Griffiths Success

Today I’m posting another success from Harry Potter. This is the first non-magical character autograph from the Harry Potter movies I’m posting!

Richard Griffiths is an English actor. He did several jobs for cinema, television and stage. Recently, he is most known for his role as Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter movies.

Vernon Dursley is the first character that we get to know in the first Harry Potter book. Vernon is Harry Potter’s uncle. He is married with Petunia Dursley, whose sister was Harry Potter’s mother, Lily. Uncle Vernon is the head of his family and is always picking with Harry, threatening him and making his life difficult. He also spoils a lot his son, Dudley.

Richard Griffiths was great with the autographs he sent me. I sent him a couple of photos and he signed them all!

Geoge Martin Success

Greetings,

Today I’m posting another success related to the music industry.

Sir George Martin is a record producer, musician, arranger and composer. He is often called “The Fifth Beatle”. This title is due to his work as a producer of all Beatles’ albums but one. He even plays piano on some of The Beatles’ songs.

The Beatles were an English rock band from the 60s. Their success remains till today, and their songs are known by everyone, such as “Yesterday”, “Hey Jude”, “Yellow Submarine”, among others. Their members were Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. George Martin was an important part of the groups’ history, producing their albums, taking them to a level no other group had reached before.

George Martin sent me a couple of photos, all autographed and personalized! Having this autograph is like having a bit of history, which makes listening to The Beatles' songs even more enjoyable.

Andrea Bocelli Success

Hello everyone,

Today I’m posting my first autograph from the music industry.

Andrea Bocelli is an Italian classic tenor, composer and musical producer. He has recorded several pop albums and eight complete operas. Andrea Bocelli has sold over 70 million copies all over the world. He is must known for the song “Con te partirò”, which he sung in 1995, and was recorded on his album “Bocelli”.

Andrea Bocelli has sent me an autographed photo from his album “Incanto”, as it is seen above.

Ken Leung Success

Today I'm posting another autograph for the Lost fans.

Kenneth “Ken” Leung is an American actor. He is probably most known for his role as Miles Straume on Lost TV show.

We first get to know Miles in the beginning of Season 4, as part of a team who arrives at the island by helicopter. The rest of his group included Daniel Faraday, Charlotte Lewis and Frank Lapidus. They went to the island in search of Benjamin Linus. Miles became an important part of the story, becoming a part of the Dharma Initiative when they go back in time.

Ken Leung was great with the autograph he sent me. The photo was provided by him; he even personalized it and wrote “Aloha” on the photo!

Frank Abagnale Success

Hello everyone,

Today’s autograph is a bit different from the previous ones. From the photo, you may not directly recognize who Frank Abagnale is. The best way tell you who he is is asking you if you have ever watched “Catch Me If You Can” with Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Steven Spielberg.

Well, in “Catch Me If You Can” Leonardo DiCaprio plays “Frank Abagnale”, and this autograph is from the real man “Frank Abagnale”.

Frank Abagnale’s life story was used to the movie. Nowadays, he works as a consultant and a lecturer for the FBI and also has his own company “Abagnale & Associates”, a financial fraud consultancy company.

The autograph has some interesting characteristics. The photo was sent to him by me, and as you can see he did a nice inscription and put the date on. Besides, most visible from the back of the photo, he sticked a Hologram of Authenticity and put an Authenticity Seal, in order to prevent possible forgeries.

Jay Leno Success

Greetings,

This week I will post an autograph, not from a person from a movie or TV series, but from a television talk show.

Jay Leno is an American comedian and a famous television host. He replaced the well-known Johnny Carson in 1992, as the host of The Tonight Show. He continued to do stand-up comedy in this same show.

Jay Leno (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno) and Conan O’Brien (Late Show with Conan O’Brien) were the big team for the night shows on television on NBC.

Jay Leno was really nice with the autograph he gave me, personalizing it and drawing a nice little sketch on the photo.

James Earl Jones Success

Today’s autograph will be most appreciated by Star Wars fans.

James Earl Jones is the one who gives the voice to Darth Vader when he is masked, in the original trilogy and Episode III. Perhaps, his most known sentence is "Luke, I am your father", although what was really said was "No, I am your father".

There were several actors playing Darth Vader. In the original trilogy Darth Vader is played by David Sprowse. In Episode VI, a brief appearance is made by Sebastian Shaw playing the unmasked Darth Vader. Last actor to play this character is Hayden Christensen, having the part in Episode III.

James Earl Jones is known for his deep basso voice being well suited for the part in Star Wars. He did other voiceover works rather than just Darth Vader, such as Mufasa in “The Lion King”.

I sent him a couple of photos which he kindly autographed them all.

Michael Emerson Success

Hello everyone,

Today I’m posting another Lost success. This time is from Michael Emerson.

Michael Emerson is best known for his role as Benjamin Linus on Lost. Michael plays his character perfectly. Ben is a character who suffers several changes throughout the seasons. We first get to know him as Henry Gale, who supposedly got to the island in an air balloon. In reality, he got to the island while he was a child, with his father Roger who worked for Dharma Initiative. Later, he allies himself with the hostiles, and puts an end to the Dharma Initiative. From that point on, he got to be the leader of the well known “The Others”, till Oceanic Flight 815 crashes on the Island and problems start to occur.

Michael Emerson was great with the photos he autographed to me. He thanked me for the letter and wrote a nice inscription on one of the photos.

Namastê and Good Luck

Jason Alexander Success

Greetings,

In one of the posts, someone asked me to put this autograph. As so, this is the first autograph posted that was requested on a comment.

The autograph above is from Jason Alexander.

Jason is best known for the role of George Costanza on the television series Seinfeld.

George Costanza is friends with Jerry Seinfeld, Elaine Benes and Cosmo Kramer. Jason’s character appears in every Seinfeld episodes but one (in season 3). George is a funny character throughout the whole seasons. He has several jobs throughout his life being unable to have a steady job; he’s always fired after a while. His most notable job was working for the New York Yankees. George always wanted to be an architect, referring in one episode that he had designed “the new addition to Guggenheim”. Although everyone knew George always wanted to be an architect, in one episode Jerry tells a girl who was both friends with them in the past that George was a “Marine Biologist”; in this circumstances, George is called to save a whale on the beach, showing he can be very brave sometimes.

Jason Alexander sent me two autographed photos, both Seinfeld photos. It was a quite fast success. This is a great addition to my collection, due to Seinfeld being one of the great TV series, different from the previous to this one.

Matthew Lewis Success

Hi everyone,

This week I’ll be posting another Harry Potter autograph. This time from Matthew Lewis, who plays Neville Longbottom.

Matthew Lewis is mostly known for his role in Harry Potter. An important aspect that got him to play Neville Longbottom was the fact that he was a huge fan of the Harry Potter series.

Matthew’s character, Neville, is a Hogwarts student who, as well as Harry Potter, is in the Gryffindor house. His favourite subject is Herbology and his least favourite course is Potions, mainly because he’s afraid of Professor Snape, the Potions Professor. Neville’s a great friend of Harry that we get to know better as the series evolves. He’s an important part in Harry’s group of friends, shown on their various adventures throughout their journey to defeat Voldemort.

Matthew Lewis was great with the photos he autographed to me. He autographed all the photos I sent to him, and he even sent me one of his own; all personalized! He sent a typed note mainly thanking for the time writing to him, but he’s sorry he could not answer personally to the letter due to the amount of mail. However, in that note, he answered me (handwritten) to the questions I asked him in my letter! The photo above is from one of the photos I sent to him.

Guestbook

In this section please leave your comments about my blog and autographs! You may even give suggestions for next posts, such as saying which autographs would you prefer to see posted (Ex: Harry Potter, Lost, ...).

Barbara Feldon Success

Today I’m posting an autograph of an actress from a classic TV show called “Get Smart”.

Barbara Feldon is an actress, model, writer and TV host. She became most known for her role on “Get Smart” as Agent 99.

“Get Smart” (1965-1970) focuses on Agent 86 (Don Adams) and Agent 99 (Barbara Feldon), who are both secret agents working for CONTROL, a secret US government counter-intelligence agency. CONTROL’s mission is to fight a criminal organization called KAOS. Agent 86, Maxwell Smart, always saves the day, although being helped by his extreme luck and Agent 99’s skills. Throughout the whole seasons Agent 99’s real name is never revealed. In one episode only, Agent 99 says to someone that her name is Susan Hilton, but at the end of that same episode she says to Max “Susan isn’t my real name”.

Barbara Feldon wrote some nice sentences on the photos she autographed to me, being these great photos remembering the times of “Get Smart”. As you might have noticed, “99” on the autograph stands for Agent 99.

Leah Remini Success

This autograph is from Leah Remini, who plays Carrie Heffernan on the TV series “King of Queens”.

King of Queens is a comedy show, being on air from 1998 till 2007. The show has 207 episodes in total. “King of Queens” is about a couple, Carrie and Doug Heffernan (Kevin James), who share their home with Carrie’s dad, Arthur Spooner (Jerry Stiller). Carrie works for a law firm and her husband is a delivery driver for IPS (International Parcel Service). Carrie’s dad complicates their lives, being that the reason for the appearance of Holly (Nicole Sullivan), a hired dog walker who walks Arthur as well.

Leah was great with the photos I sent to her! She signed and personalized them all, plus she added an extra photo, signed and personalized as well!

Clémence Poésy Success

Today I’m posting a success from the Harry Potter movies, from Clémence Poésy. She plays the role of Fleur Delacour, who’s a student of Beauxbatons Academy in France, being first known for her selection to the Triwizard Tournament. Her next appearance will be in the last Harry Potter movies.

Clémence Poésy was born in France. She is an actress and model. Since 1999 she has been present in various movies and TV shows. She is best known for her role of Fleur Delacour in the “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” and for Chloë in the movie “In Bruges”.

Clémence was very nice with the autographs she sent me, writing some nice words on the photos! She even used different coloured pens so the autographs would stay visible on the photos.

Yunjin Kim Success

Final Season of Lost is just beginning! As so, I’m posting a Lost autograph success from Yunjin Kim, who plays the role of Sun-Hwa Kwon.

Yunjin Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea. She is best known for her role in Lost, but has participated in many movies and TV appearances in her country.

Originally she auditioned for the role of Kate in the Lost TV series, but the producers liked her audition so much that decided to create her character. Sun has been an important part in the Island, remaining in the series since the beginning, even though a large part of the characters have died through the seasons.

Yunjin was great with the photos I sent to her, sending me an extra picture provided by her! She didn’t just sign the photos she personalized them all and added some nice words! She is a very sympathetic person, not forgetting her fans even though there is a huge attention to the series she’s playing since 2004.

How to Successfully Receive Autographs from Celebrities

First of all, there are some abbreviations you need to know:
SASE – Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope
SAE – Self-Addressed Envelope (not stamped)
IRC – International Reply Coupon

In order to receive your autograph from the celebrity you have chosen, some important aspects are needed to know so that you succeed in getting the so wanted reply. I’ll just explain the basic, so beginners can easily enter this hobby and find it rewarding.

First of all you need to know the address of the person you will be contacting. You can get it via the set the celebrity is presently filming at (Via Venue), via the studio of the movie, and so many other ways (you name it!). Just write down on the envelope that exact address. Then, on another envelope, the SASE or SAE, you will write your own address as the receiver address and you will put this envelope inside the first one. If you live in the same country as the celebrity you are contacting, you’ll better stamp it according to what you’re sending, so the celebrity won’t have to be charged for that. If you live abroad, you may buy IRCs and put them in your envelope, the celebrity will exchange them for stamps, any expenses being needless. This procedure makes things easier for the celebrity, another envelope not being needed and avoiding to write your return address to reply to you. Next step is writing your letter to the celebrity, in which you ask for the celebrity’s autograph. Then you have to decide if you want a specific photo to be signed. If so, don’t forget to include it in the envelope you’re sending. Once again this is most suitable for the celebrities as they might not have photos available to send them back to you. Nevertheless, some celebrities have their own special photos for this purpose, and usually insert those signed in your package.

All right, most important things are said and explained. I am sure that you will soon be gathering a lot of interesting autographs and start your collection, which you should organize and catalogue in the proper way.

It is important to distinguish between the different types of autographs you will be receiving:


Authentic – Personally signed by the celebrity (handwritten). It may be inscribed on any support, paper, photo, etc.

PP – Pre-Print: an exact copy of the celebrity’s signature to be used on any support or document. It may be photocopied, printed, etc…

Secretarial – It’s the same autograph of the celebrity, but signed by an assistant. This allows the celebrity not to spend time signing the requests (imagine they receive hundreds of them!). So the staff takes care of it.

AP – Autopen: it’s a machine that reproduces the exact signature of the celebrity. Celebrities sometimes have these machines for the same reason above.

These are the most common different types of autographs you’ll be receiving. And it is important to distinguish between Authentic and PP, PP and AP, Authentic from Secretarial and so on, something I might write about next time.

I hope you enjoyed reading this, and that it aroused your interest on becoming an autograph gatherer yourself. If so, my main purpose was successful and I hope to be hearing from you as well, contributing for a more thorough knowledge on this very special, cultural and interesting hobby and collection.

Greetings!

Let me start by saying what was my intention creating this blog I titled Autograph Gatherer, although this name is sufficiently clear.
Here I’ll explain how to successfully receive autographs from celebrities and, every week, different autograph documents will be posted by me. At the same time, I will try to write some information about what is each celebrity known for, most from movies, TV entertainment, sports and whatsoever.

The autographs I’ll be posting are from my private collection. I will only be showing my TTM (Through The Mail) autographs. I’ll explain how it is possible to have autographs TTM so everyone who wants to join this hobby may be successful in a near future! It is a great hobby, because you don’t have to fly to other countries to ask the celebrity for their autograph; they will send it to you! You’ll be going to pick up the mail wondering “Will I get something today?”.