Ever heard the saying “what’s in a name?” Well, if you happen to collect autographs, then you know that a name can be worth hundreds and even thousands of dollars.  The celebrity autograph business is a lucrative one, especially with the worlds ever-growing fascination (and sometimes borderline obsession) with celebrities and Hollywood. That being said, there is still something magical about owning an authentic signature created by the hand of your favorite actor or athlete.  Maybe it’s the experience of getting the autograph and story you get to tell about how you met your beloved idol. Or maybe it’s just the thrill of being connected in some small way to someone famous.  Whatever the reason, autographs can be one of the most exciting and challenging things out there to collect. 

First, you must determine how you want to obtain your autograph.  There are three ways to obtain a celebrity autograph.  You can try and get it in person (this is where being in the right place at the right time comes in), buy it online (on eBay.com or in the iTaggit classified listings), or you can write to your beloved celeb asking them for an autograph.

This week and next, I will be writing a blog mini-series on how to grow and maintain your autograph collection.  Today’s post will focus on:

Getting an Autograph in Person

Although this method of autograph collecting is the most difficult and labor intensive, it is guaranteed that your autograph will be an authentic one.  You also get to come face-to-face with the actual celebrity, providing a fun and exciting experience!  

Here is what you need to know about collecting autographs in person:

*  Be prepared.  You may have to endure some less than desirable conditions to get that signature from Brad Pitt that you have always dreamed of.  If you know you will be waiting outside at a premiere in Canada in January for your celebrity’s John Hancock, you better bring along a jacket, some warm shoes, and maybe some water to get you through the night.  You never know how long you may have to wait for your chance to push your way to the front and get your autograph, and it makes it a lot less uncomfortable when you have come prepared to wait.

*  Don’t leave home without the necessary supplies.  The last thing you want to do is come face-to-face with your celebrity and lose the opportunity to get a signature because you forgot your supplies.  Bring along a camera (in case you have the opportunity to snag a photo with your celeb), blue felt tip pen (this is the best type of pen to use to reduce autograph fading), and something for the celebrity to sign.  You can bring a photo of the celebrity, an index card (boring!), or an object to be signed.  I would recommend getting creative with what you want autographed.  If you are trying to get an autograph from Tom Colicchio (Top Chef judge and famous chef), for example, you might want to bring along a chef’s hat or even a knife.  The more interesting and creative the item that is signed, the more fun it will be to display it in your house later!

*  Be respectful.  Sure, you have been waiting three hours in the shivering cold for Alex Rodriguez to leave Yankee Stadium, but it’s not the staff or security’s fault that he has yet to appear.  Try not to shout at the staff.  It is pretty hard to get an autograph when you have been thrown out of the venue!

*  Know something about the celebrity you are trying to meet.  This one might sound a little obvious, but it would be really embarrassing to be called out by Leonardo DiCaprio for not knowing that he played the lead in Titanic.  Also, you could use something you know about the celebrity to get their attention.  Everyone knows that celebrities LOVE to be complimented on their work!

*  Decide when and where you are going to try and catch your celebrity.   Check out local events to see who will be coming in town and if they would be a good autograph to pursue.  You may be surprised as to what big-name celebrities will be coming to a town near you!  Check newspapers and other local publications for event listings.  Also, try pollstar.com, ticketmaster.com, imdb.com, and celebritybooksigningsandevents.com to see if your idol will be in town.

*  Show up early.  Wake up, eat your breakfast of champions (Wheaties, or in my case, cold pizza), and put your autograph collecting face on!  It is good to show up to the venue about 2 or 3 hours early.  This may sound like a long time to wait but if you are serious about getting that autograph, you need to stake out your position before the crowd of people arrive.  If it is a singer you are targeting, going early for the sound check may be a great opportunity to get your autograph.  If you are attending a movie premiere, you must secure a good spot right at the rope to increase your chances.  Getting there before the rush allows you to put yourself in the best position to get your signature.

*  Don’t get star-struck!  You have been waiting for this moment all day.  The doors open and out walks your celebrity.  Now, smile and politely ask for an autograph!  Chances are, if you have prepared for this moment and followed my advice, you will get your very own signature from your favorite famous celebrity!  If you are lucky, they might even ask for your name and personalize the autograph.  Congratulations, you have survived the process of getting an authentic autograph in person!  Enjoy it, treasure it, and maybe in a few years, sell it for a pretty penny!

Sign up with iTaggit to digitize, protect, sell, and share your celebrity autographs with friends and family!

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