Paying for an autograph ... what do you think ?

[Action Martin]

When I first started going to comic book conventions in 1979-80, celebrities like James Doohan, DeForrest Kelly, and George Takei did not charge for their autographs. But around the same time baseball players did. But it was mostly the "old-timers" that didn't get the perks of lucritive endorsement deals and million dollar contracts. As the years progressed the "younger" players like Pete Rose and Reggie Jackson jumped on the bandwagon. And by the mid-80s everybody was charging for their signature.

[Action Martin]

I got Sulu's for free...He's a really nice Guy.

I went with a friend to a Star Trek convention in NYC in 1988 or '89. Takei was the featured guest and he did a speaking engagement. I'm not a Trekker in the slightest but I have seen the original series episodes many, many times. But Takei was a great guy. Fantastic speaker, very captivating. I think that he was scheduled to speak for a half hour but he wound up speaking for an hour and then he wouldn't leave until he signed things for fans, shook their hands, and posed for pictures. I even went to shake his hand. He must have been there for about another hour after the session ended.

[Action Martin]

I refuse to pay a fee to someone when they are being paid to attend. And they are all pretty much paid to attend. I was doing the baseball card show circuit many years ago when they were free, and dealers would pay someone to continuously stand in line and get numerous autographs so they could sell them. It wasn't until they started commanding big dollars that players started charging huge fees, which caused the show promoters to increase prices.

I was on that circuit for a few years in New York and New Jersey myself and those words are true.

[apes3978]

That's why I do them through the mail these days and meet who I can. After so long of doing it, it's pretty easy for me to tell who signs and who doesn't for real. All of the " stars" of 90% of our favorite movies and TV sign now because they are basicly D-Z stars now.

And I'm still waiting to my "wanted list" of people from you so I can try my luck thru the mail...

[Brue]

....Anthony Daniels signed for my son and he spoke to him and was awesome he also gave my son a freebie signature....It all depends on how bad you want it....

I was at a charity auction and Daniels, the keynote speaker, signed a couple of things for me for free - items I have had since childhood - he was very clear he didn't want to sign stuff that would be resold - when he saw the well used condition of my LP and Blue Series trading card he signed away. Another guy there paid $1500 for Daniels to sign a Phantom menace poster that had been signed by Lucas as well. ($$ went to a kids science museum)- Since this was a rich person event (I came on someones ticket) He did not have the comic con attitude many celebs have there. He quizzed me on the cover mistakes of the Story of Star Wars album cover. He wouldn't sign until I came up with at least 2.

I have had a couple other items signed but never paid for a signature - Batgirl signed a 8x10 I bought from her for $5, Lou signed a book I bought from him, G Christopher signed VHS tapes I bought from him. So I did give them cash but it was for someTHING I wanted - the sig was just icing. I can't think of others right now but prob something.

[Brue]

If anyone wants my autograph let me know. You need to pay return shipping.

[GSPUSA]

I started collecting autographs as a kid. Writting letters to celebreties and dignitaries. I have an autographed letter with a picture from Ronald Reagan, autographed pictures from George C. Scott, Harrison Ford, Don Garlits, Bo, Luke, Daisy and Phil Esposito. I even have an autographed MOC Rat Fink toy from Big Daddy Ed Roth, autographed Munster Mobile from George Barris and a picture, Ed Belfour pictures cards and hockey pucks. It seams like I have more, but they've been packed away for years and I can't remember.
I didn't pay for any, but the Dukes which I won on ebay. I'm not sure that I'd feel right about paying for any, but who knows.

[Fuzzysnail]

Elway was speaking at a Police Memorial in Denver. He was scheduled to speak and then sign Auto's fo a half an hour. Elway stayed and signed for eveyone who wanted a signature and posed for photos for into two hours. I was able to get his Auto, and he never charged for any of them and was A NICE GENUINE GUY.

[The Bat]

I almost forgot...I also got Walter Koenig's Autograph for free, at My local Comic Shop. He was there because He'd written a Checkov story for a Star Trek Comic. He was also a really NICE Guy...and great to talk to.

[GSPUSA]

I just remember that I got one from a former Dallas Cowboy along time ago. I forgot who he was, but I do remember that he was a prick. I forgot to mention that I've got a lot of autographed cards from NHL players who I met at a private event a few years back at The Hockey Hall of Fame.

[Adam West]

I have never paid for an autograph personally but can totally understand why they do. Like someone said, there are a lot of autograph seekers out there just looking to make a quick buck on someone else's dime so I'm sure that is irritating to the athletes.

When I go to professional soccer games, I find that the players are usually pretty friendly and will sign autographs. I have an MLS ball that I take to games and will pick up an autograph here and there. I remember seeing this person who was always at soccer games grabbing player autographs. It wouldn't be a request for one item but 4 or 5 items. Sure enough, I saw this person's autographed items on Ebay which angers me.

I remember I was standing 10 feet from David Beckham before a match and asked him to autograph the ball. He didn't even look over at me which I thought was a bit rude but I'm sure if he had walked over probably 1,000 people would have run over looking for an autograph. Just the other day, I heard he was playing in Hawaii I think and handed a young fan his game worn jersey. There were two kids standing there and they both thought he was giving it to each of them respectively so they fought over the jersey and now I hear they are suing each other in court over this stupid jersey.

That's how bad it has become and I'm sure is a big turnoff to stars.

[twilitezoner]

I have never paid for an autograph personally but can totally understand why they do. Like someone said, there are a lot of autograph seekers out there just looking to make a quick buck on someone else's dime so I'm sure that is irritating to the athletes.

When I go to professional soccer games, I find that the players are usually pretty friendly and will sign autographs. I have an MLS ball that I take to games and will pick up an autograph here and there. I remember seeing this person who was always at soccer games grabbing player autographs. It wouldn't be a request for one item but 4 or 5 items. Sure enough, I saw this person's autographed items on Ebay which angers me.

I remember I was standing 10 feet from David Beckham before a match and asked him to autograph the ball. He didn't even look over at me which I thought was a bit rude but I'm sure if he had walked over probably 1,000 people would have run over looking for an autograph. Just the other day, I heard he was playing in Hawaii I think and handed a young fan his game worn jersey. There were two kids standing there and they both thought he was giving it to each of them respectively so they fought over the jersey and now I hear they are suing each other in court over this stupid jersey.

That's how bad it has become and I'm sure is a big turnoff to stars.

Wow that is pretty bad. You have to wonder if each kid's parents were behind the tussle, since I am sure the kids aren't suing each other.

[Adam West]

Well, I'll let you be the judge.






Call me crazy, but it clearly looks like he is handing it to the boy on the left to me.

[draconianguard]

Actors Charge because if they don't Some Dealers get their autographs and sell them..cutting out the actor. Rosie O'Donnoll signs for free but NOT for adults only for kids. My Dad knew Joe Dimaggio and i was able to get stuff signed for free.....I don't mind paying it's a matter of who's autograph means more to me...........Anthony Daniels signed for my son and he spoke to him and was awesome he also gave my son a freebie signature....It all depends on how bad you want it.....

the worst ever was Val Kilmer he was a BLEEP!!!!!.......

I know some celebrities at shows buy their tables as a dealer would-hence charging for autographs and photo ops. The whole theory on celebrities charging because someone is going to sell it and make profit instead of them doesn't hold weight any more if you check ebay auctions (Star Trek autos are especially worthless).

It just kills me when everyone thinks their a celebrity at shows. Ray Parker Jr. actually thinks he's worth $20 for his autograph. Judging by his empty table, he's the only one who thought that price was reasonable.

kingdom warrior- What happened with Val Kilmer? He was one of the nicest celebrities I met. After I got his autograph, I went to walk away he actually went out of his way to shake my hand and appreciated me coming. Val, Roddy Piper and George Takei are the nicest celebs I met.

[spiderrogue]

my dad in law, used to write celebs and ask for an auto. (he would send them a 3x5" index card to sign, usually) or even a signed pic. most of them ended up sending him one. he has a ton of them still lying around in his den. i got a james earl jones signed pic from him one year. he has presidents, astronauts, actors, etc....a ton...
that was back in the day when you could ask for them in the mail....