Monthly recap: July VS June

I was very happy with how this month turned out. I wrote some extra requests this month and will again next month to make up for the lack that I sent out in June.

July 2006 autographs

Autographs received (real or believed to be): 12
Out of that number, the amount that were purchased: 1
Pre prints: 0
RTS: 0
Other: In Person: 1
Total sent out in July: 19



June 2006 autographs

Autographs received (real or believed to be): 3
Out of that number, the amount that were purchased: 0
Pre prints: 0
RTS: 3
Other: In Person: 7, Possible autopen: 1
Total sent out in June: 8

July brings one more

I wrap up the month with one more success.

Danny Aiello - Sent: 7/21/06 Received: 7/31/06. If you've seen the movie "Moonstruck" or any of the "Godfather" movies or maybe even Madonna's music video for "Papa Don't Preach" then you've seen Danny Aiello. Danny signed the photo I sent and returned another photo of his own - a two sided photo which he signed both sides of. He also wrote a quick note to me on a post-it answering a question in my letter to him. Awesome success that was very quick to achieve.


Danny Aiello signed the photo (above) that I sent to him


He also sent back his own two sided photo (above & below) which he signed on both sides.

A 'peri' good weekend for autographs

A double dosage of success to post about.

Peri Gilpin - Sent: 5/26/06 Received: 7/29/06. Peri was doing a play for one week in London at the beginning of June so I wrote to her at the venue and sent her a college I made of her character "Roz" from "Frazier" dressed up as "Wonder Woman" during a Halloween episode. I had written to Kristin Davis at the same play and never heard back and with close to two months passed since Peri's play ended I hadn't thought much about this arriving back. But today it did (postmarked Los Angeles with US postage on it). She signed the photo and index card I sent and returned the $2 cash I had sent to cover return postage from London (since I didn't have overseas stamps).



Peri Gilpin was "Wonder Woman" once on "Frazier"


Lily Tomlin - Sent: 9/8/2004 Received: 7/28/06. You might remember that I scored a success from Lily back in April. What appears below is my original request to her back in 2004 that just now came back. A long time but worth the wait. If the "9 to 5" photo looks the same it's because it is. Thinking this request was long gone, I bought a new one, had Jane Fonda sign it and then sent that one to Lily a few months ago. I am very glad to get the "Ernestine" picture back though. Lily currently provides a voice in the new animated movie "Ant Bully" which I saw the other night and really enjoyed.


(above) One ringie dingie, Two ringie dingies with Lily Tomlin as "Ernestine The Operator" (below) Lily as "Violet Newstead" on "9 to 5"

Caan artist?

More mail arrived at my mailbox today. Some people thing James Caan might be a secretarial autograph. I don't know for sure, but I'm leaning a little more towards authentic. What do you think?

James Caan - Sent: 7/5/06 Received: 7/28/06. It's nice to see someone who's been in so many successful projects (like "The Godfather" movies, "Funny Lady" & "Brian's Song") still answering his fan mail, if he really is. Some collectors speculate he might use a secretary to sign for him. James (or his secretary) signed the "Misery" picture I sent him, returning it in less than a month. Currently James can be seen in the TV series "Las Vegas".



James Caan (click to enlarge)

Monday mail

When I started collecting I set a personal goal to try to obtain at least 10 autographs through the mail (TTM) each month. Today's mail brings me another step closer to this month's goal.

Ken Kercheval - Sent: 7/15/06 Received: 7/24/06. Wow. This didn't take long at all. Ken Kercheval is best known for playing "Cliff Barnes" the nemesis of J.R. Ewing on "Dallas". His character was also the brother of Victoria Principal's character "Pam". I wrote to Ken and he sent me this great color photo of him from his "Dallas" days. I really like it when the celebrities send out pictures from the roles they are best remembered from. Ken was originally cast for the role of "Ray Krebbs"on the show. He and Larry Hagman are the only cast members to stay with the series throughout it's entire run.



Ken Kercheval was one of the good guys on "Dallas"

Goldin boy

I had an idea this one might be coming. A few days ago I received an e-mail newsletter from Ricky Paull Goldin's webmaster so I knew my e-mail had been read by someone and somewhere I had been entered into a database. I also thought it was a good sign that my request for a signed photo would be honored as well.

Ricky Paull Goldin - Sent: 6/12/06 Received: 7/22/06. Like my recent Wendie Mallick success, "Kate & Allie" was the first place I remember seeing Ricky Paull Goldin. He was only on a few episodes playing Jennie's boyfriend "Jason Crawford". Most of Ricky's success has come from soap opera roles. On "Another World" he played "Dean Frame", on "Young & The Restless" he played "Gary Dawson" and currently he plays "Gus Aitoro" on "Guiding Light". This success came from e-mailing him from the official Guiding Light fan club site. Although the photo isn't personalized to my name it is a real signature (not a pre print or auto pen).


Ricky Paull Goldin (click to enlarge)

Tonight show success today

I will be mailing out requests in style now. I was the first customer at my post office to purchase a book of the new DC Comics super hero stamps. Cool stamps and two autograph successes equal a very good day for me today!

Jay Leno - Sent: 3/17/06 Received: 7/21/06. When I went down to the mailbox today the first thing I saw was a big white envelope from NBC labeled "THE TONIGHT SHOW". I knew who it was from, I just had my fingers crossed that it wouldn't be a pre print. I opened it up to find this very cool Jay Leno photo that was personalized to my name. In the Leno VS Letterman battle (Is that like Coke VS Pepsi?) I'm a Leno fan. I like his interview style better and watch his show more. (Plus he sent me a cool signed photo!). I achieved this success via an e-mail request.



Jay Leno (click to enlarge)


Dania Ramirez - Sent: 6/15/06 Received: 7/21/06. Another success for my "X-men" collection today came from Dania Ramirez who played "Callisto" in "X-men 3". I sent her two photos which she signed and personalized. I plan on sending the group shot photo out to someone else in the picture so I have my fingers crossed that I don't end up losing it. Despite "X-men 3" being a little heavy on characters and lacking on character development I still enjoyed the movie a lot and will get the DVD when it's released.



Dania Ramirez (above & below) from "X-men 3: The Last Stand"

Autograph 101

Today's success comes from an In-Person experience.

Paulette Carlson - In Person: 7/19/06. Paulette Carlson was the original lead vocalist for the group Highway 101. Towards the end of the 1980's they won several "Group Of The Year" awards from the Country Music Association and The Academy Of Country Music thanks to hits like "The Bed You Made For Me", "Whiskey If You Were A Woman", "Cry, Cry, Cry", "Somewhere Tonight" and "(Do You Love Me) Just Say Yes". I had a chance to visit with Paulette today and she was kind enough to sign two CD inserts for me. The inscription on this one reads "To Ryan- Best Wishes Your Highway Girl - Paulette Carlson". Currently Paulette is promoting a brand new solo album called "It's About Time".


Paulette Carlson (click to enlarge)

The pryce is right

With today's success, I've already surpassed my June TTM's. I've also been working on sending at least one extra request out every week to make up for the low mail outs I've had in June. I'm really feeling recharged again about collecting and today's success helps continue my drive.

Jonathon Pryce - Sent: 2/2/06 Received: 7/17/06. Jonathon Pryce is currently in theatres in the summers biggest movie "Pirates Of The Caribbean 2". (He plays Governor Weatherby Swann). But I've also enjoyed his other work, especially "Jumping Jack Flash" and "Evita". I really wanted an "Evita" picture but couldn't find one of him from that role, so I ended up making this collage and sending it to the Broadway play he's doing. Some people have had success getting him from this play but I hadn't seen a success in almost 2 months so I had given up hope of seeing my photo come back signed. You can imagine what a nice surprise it was today to go to the mailbox and find my collage signed.


Jonathon Pryce as "Juan Peron" from "Evita"

Saturday success

Three in one week and the luck of Saturday is back with me. Now it's really starting to feel like I'm back in the game. Before we go on to today's success I want to tell you to watch for a tribute to Red Buttons (who passed away Thursday) posted here towards the end of the month with my next "Flashback" feature. Now on to today's mail.

Wendie Malick - Sent: 7/5/06 Received: 7/15/06. Wendie did five episodes of "Kate & Allie" (playing Charles new wife Claire) which is probably the first place I remember seeing her work. She's probably best known for her work after that appearance on shows like "Just Shoot Me", "Frasier", "Baywatch" and "Jake In Progress". My friend Joey sent me a huge batch of unsigned photos which included these two of Wendie, which I sent to the play she's currently doing in New York City. In another quick turn around they arrived back today signed & personalized.


Wendie Malick (above & below from HBO's "Dream On")

Familiar face

Before I begin today's success I would like to say how sad it was to hear Kasey Rogers from the TV show "Bewitched" had passed away last week. She will be missed. Now moving on ...two successes in the same week. It's feels like a flashback to the ol' days.

Dick Miller - Sent: 7/5/06 Received: 7/13/06. You might not recognize the name but look at the face. Chances are you've seen Dick Miller in one of his numerous guest appearances throughout the years. Some of the TV shows he's guest starred on include "NYPD Blue", "ER", "Star Trek Deep Space Nine", "Lois & Clark", "Flash", "Soap", "Alice" and "Taxi". Or maybe you've seen him in movies like "Gremlins", "Gremlins 2" or "The Terminator". Dick sent me a 8X10 signed photo in just over a week. Thanks to Lee for the idea to write to Dick.


Dick Miller (click to enlarge)

Superman's first lady

I've seen a new movie trailer for a film called "Hollywoodland" which is about the mystery of George Reeve's death. It looks like a very good movie. This trailer and some of the reading I've done about George Reeves has rekindled my interest in the old original "Superman" TV series. Today's success ties in with that interest.

Phyllis Coates - Sent: 6/15/06 Received: 7/11/06. Noel Neill was the original "Lois Lane" in the "Superman" movie serials but when it went from a serial to a TV series Phyllis Coates was cast in the role of "Lois". She left after one year (to do other projects) and Noel revived her role as the first lady of Superman's life. I add another "Lois" to my collection today with this signed photo of Phyllis Coates. Phyllis charges a small fee for her autograph, but it's worth it because she will supply a great vintage photo from whatever role you want. I really like this photo which I had never seen before. I only need Teri Hatcher to complete my "Lois Lane" collection and it probably will take help from Superman to get that autograph!

This is a job for .... Lois Lane (click to enlarge)

Bundy's buddy

FLASHBACK - TED McGINLEY

Ted McGinley - Sent: 1/10/05 Received: 3/4/05. This success came in a month before I started my blog. I wrote to Ted at the set to "Hope & Faith" in Long Island, NY and received back this great picture of him from his "Married With Children" days. I love that it has two personalized inscriptions on it. I can tell he read my letter. I actually saved a copy of my letter to him and sometimes when I don't know what to write to someone I will re read it for inspiration. Ted is remembered for many shows, not only the ones I've already mentioned but "Love Boat", "Dynasty", "Happy Days" and "Sports Night". Sometimes he takes some flack for his work, but I've enjoyed the shows he's been on and the roles he's played. I'm also very glad to have this autograph in my collection.

It was definitely time to share another "Flashback" with you as I haven't had many new successes lately. The good news is after such a busy June I've gotten re-motivated again to send requests out and have been busy crankin' the letters out. So hopefully we'll see some new successes posted here soon. I want to thank Joey to who sent me a HUGE box of unsigned 8X10 photos. (It was a total surprise). This helped me a lot in getting re-inspired to keep going with the collection.

June vs May monthly recap

In terms of pure numbers this has been the worst month I've ever had since I started collecting. Also it was the first time I wasn't able to get at least 4 requests out a week. But when you look at getting a success like Madonna it changes the entire month around. Here is the June 2006 recap:

June 2006 autographs

Autographs received (real or believed to be): 3
Out of that number, the amount that were purchased: 0
Pre prints: 0
RTS: 3
Other: In Person: 7, Possible autopen: 1
Total sent out in June: 8


May 2006 autographs

Autographs received (real or believed to be): 8
Out of that number, the amount that were purchased: 0
Pre prints: 0
RTS: 2
Other: 1 In-Person, 1 Prize winning (w/2 signatures on it), 1 unsigned photo
Total sent out in May: 19