When did actors start making personal appearences (as we know them today) ?

[palitoy]

I just don't get when some people put the whole blame on the stars when it seems to me that simple supply and demand set mainly by the fans is the main culprit. Someone is paying the $200 bucks for a Shatman autograph (or porn star or whatever). Isn't that what sets the price for this madness?

It's weird but I guess voting by not buying isn't enough sometimes, i put the blame personally on the over popularity of geek culture and well...capitalism i guess.

The last fan expo i attended (and trust me I won't be back) I met a very frail John Saxon, he had no line and a signed colour photo was $30. I got to exchange pleasantries with him briefly and it was the highlight of my day. I'd take that over Nimoy signing my photo while i wait outside.

It blew my mind that such a storied veteran of a dozen genres had zero line when "Man #3" on the "Walking Dead" was a two hour wait but that speaks volumes as to who is attending that show.

[PNGwynne]

Poor Margot.

[knight errant00]

I met a very frail John Saxon

That very phrase makes me sad.

[JediJaida]

Oh, dear. He is one of my favorites.

[Mikey]

I met David Carradine on his first day ever of doing a con ... was 5th in line.

It was nice seeing a brand new to cons fresh celeb who actually acted happy being there.

Charged $25.00 --- and right next to him was Traci Lords charging $50 --- Pete Best was charging $100.00 for autographed (cheap bottom of the line) drum sticks.

Nice to see somebody before they turn evil

[Nostalgiabuff]

--- Pete Best was charging $100.00 for autographed (cheap bottom of the line) drum sticks.

Nice to see somebody before they turn evil

in fairness to Pete, he needs whatever he can get and has been riding the Beatles coattails for 50 years. talk about bum luck for that guy

[Mikey]

^ True, but at least Anthology did turn the man into a millionaire

[Hedji]

The only one I remember paying for is when George Romero was at Fan Expo nearly ten years ago and I paid to have him sign my original Dawn of the Dead script.

I'm officially jealous! Nice get! Romero is #1 on my "To Get" list.

I got to exchange pleasantries with him briefly and it was the highlight of my day.

It blew my mind that such a storied veteran of a dozen genres had zero line when "Man #3" on the "Walking Dead" was a two hour wait but that speaks volumes as to who is attending that show.

Yup. Saw the same kind of thing at Niagara Falls. Young flavor of the week definitely outsells older niche legends. I've spent a shameful amount on Star Wars autographs over the years, and some others, but am beginning to enjoy just walking up and striking up conversation more, without buying an autograph.

I wanted to add, about two-three years ago a new Comic Con opened up in Toronto. It was a huge bomb, nobody came.

The saddest thing was seeing how the "Your photo with the stars" guy had slashed the prices on Margot Kidder, she was $100, then a big slash and $75, then another slash and $49. I figured if I hung around all day, I'd get $20 to pose with her.

Poor Margot.

Indeed. She is so sweet. One of my splurges was to get my pic taken with her at the Superman II filming spot at Niagara Falls last year.

I forget the ridiculous amount I paid, but it is a treasured moment of which I have a photo. So... I guess it was worth it.

But I would like to see some of these prices come back down to earth. I can accept paying, because that's the world we live in now, but they are raking the fans over the coals.

It's weird, If I go to see Burt Ward or Julie Newmar at a Convention, it'll be, what $50-$60? For the past three years, they've had "Batman Night" at our local baseball park, and Burt, Julie Newmar, and now this year, Lee Meriwether are only $10 for a signed photo! Now that's more like it!

[EmergencyIan]

Randolph Mantooth was the featured/keynote speaker at the Connecticut EMS Convention almost two weeks ago. He spoke on Friday evening and signed autographs and took pictures with people for $20. The proceeds all went to the County of Los Angeles Fire Museum. Additionally, if someone brought their own photo of him, he signed those at no charge. I suppose that since this was an EMS convention, it was run different than a comic, etc convention, making it possible for him to charge $20 and donate those proceeds. This autograph/photo session was open to the public and he had long lines.

- Ian

[Hector]

I'd kill for a signed anything Neil Armstrong piece. His stuff goes for mad money, not only because he was a historical figure, but because he rarely signed anything, was never a paid convention kinda guy...and stopped signing stuff altogether decades before his death. Aside from his space endeavor...he was a very private person.

That would be my ultimate signature to own for sure...

[Godzilla]

Wasn't Clayton Moore doing appearances as the Lone Ranger as early as the 60s? I remember the issues with him wearing the mask when the 70s movie came out and all the backlash.

[Mikey]

I'd kill for a signed anything Neil Armstrong piece. His stuff goes for mad money, not only because he was a historical figure, but because he rarely signed anything, was never a paid convention kinda guy...and stopped signing stuff altogether decades before his death. Aside from his space endeavor...he was a very private person.

That would be my ultimate signature to own for sure...

Because of all that I always wished that Buzz was the first.

Buzz knows how to be a proper hero and seems to be a very likeable guy.

[Nostalgiabuff]

Wasn't Clayton Moore doing appearances as the Lone Ranger as early as the 60s? I remember the issues with him wearing the mask when the 70s movie came out and all the backlash.

he was doing appearances but I don't think he was charging for autographs

[huedell]

From my perspective, and what I know of the history of this, fandom and collectors are the ones who seem responsible for monetizing autographs - not the stars.

Sincerely, what other perspective could there be?

No "fans monetizing autographs" would result in "No selling autographs".

As you mentioned: "Supply & demand"

Never ceases to amaze me how this issue perplexes and/or agitates so many... as if "selling something for what the market dictates" is an alien concept.

Now, I suppose certain stars could give autographs for free, looking at it as goodwill to their fanbase that will pay off in the long run.... but, then, how does that look overall?

A celeb that gives away free autos could look just as much "pathetic" as they could "generous" to their fans in today's climate.

[Mikey]

The one thing this atmosphere does good is give old wash-up celebrities something to do and get pats on their backs from something they did 30+years ago.

Can you imagine Bella Lugosi in today's atmosphere -- compared to what he went through near the end of his life ?

He would be a God --- and there would not be a shortage of people reminding him

Image this atmosphere in the 50's when The Adventures of Superman was cancelled ... I'm pretty sure George Reeves would have been around for many many more years.

I could go on and on about all the old time beloved celebs that died never realizing how many people still loved them.