Honky Tonk Angels

My first endeavor into autograph collecting was collecting autographed CD inserts (and album and cassette before CD's). With the upcoming country music awards I thought it would be fun to go back & show you one of my favorite pieces in my collection.

FLASHBACK - DOLLY PARTON, LORETTA LYNN & TAMMY WYNETTE

Tammy Wynette - In Person Date: N/A, Loretta Lynn - In Person Date: N/A, Dolly Parton - In Person Date:N/A. Tammy was the first person I got to sign this cover. I had the chance to see her in concert (and meet her) three times. She was so nice and kind to me. If you've ever heard of people talking about meeting someone and feel like you've been friends forever, that was Tammy each time I met her. She was so incredible and I miss her a lot. Loretta was the next person I got to sign this after a show in Wisconsin Dells, WI. She was very kind and funny. I've had the chance to meet her a few times and you can always count on her to entertain you - regardless if it's singing or just telling a story. As you can see I've met Dolly Parton a few times, but Dolly's signature on this insert came before any of those times. I had sent it to my friend Trudie (who was working at the label Dolly was recording for at the time), and she kept this in her desk for months until Dolly came into the office and got her to sign it for me. I do remember this was after Tammy had passed away and Trudie was nervous holding onto it for me for that reason. But thanks to Trudie I was able to complete the cover. Not only is this an awesome piece in my collection but a great CD that I highly recommend. Each one take turns on the lead vocals of a song, with the others providing harmony. My favorite song on the album is one featuring Dolly on lead, called "Sitting On The Front Porch Swing".

Trick or Treat: Monthly recap

This month had some 'tricks' and some 'treats' in it. Here's the monthly recap:

October 2006 autographs

Autographs received TTM (real or believed to be): 8
Out of that number, the amount that were purchased: 0
Pre prints: 1
RTS: 2
Other: 0
Total sent out in October: 16


September 2006 autographs

Autographs received TTM (real or believed to be): 13
Out of that number, the amount that were purchased: 1
Pre prints: 0
RTS: 1
Other: 1 (In-Person)
Total sent out in September: 16

Samantha & The City!

I hope the post office doesn't read today's entry on my blog.

Kim Cattrall - Sent: 10/17/06 Received: 10/31/06. Before I even get into this story I have to say Kim Cattrall has been on my "Most Wanted" list. I haven't publicly posted an updated most wanted list since my original "Top 12", but since I've been able to cross many names off my original list, one name I put on was Kim Cattrall. I loved her as "Samantha" (my favorite character) on "Sex & The City". The character was so different than any other character. I loved her one liners and how aggressive, confident and assertive the character was. Kim did an excellent job playing her. I sent a photo & index card to the play she's doing in London. I also enclosed a SAE envelope with $2 US dollars to cover overseas return postage. Today I received my photo and index card back (both signed & personalized - YAY!) and my $2 US dollars. On the front of the envelope where the postage should have been was handwritten "COD". The thing is the post office did not charge me for the postage (which I would have gladly paid) and this entire envelope came from London to my doorstep with no postage on it at all! That's definitely a new story to tell in my autograph experiences. Isn't that funny? Getting Kim means I've gotten all 4 of the girls on "Sex & The City" (although my Sarah Jessica Parker could be secretarial). A great success today to wrap up the month. It wasn't a trick - it was a treat!



Kim Cattrall signed photo & index card (above & below)



(below) the corner of my return envelope where postage should have been. COD (cash on delivery) is written instead and it made it to me with no postage at all.

To the principal's office!

It seems like forever since I've had a new success. But I'm back today with one that's a little puzzling.

Victoria Principal - Sent: 10/23/06 Received: 10/30/06. I'm usually very good with being able to spot pre-print and autopen signatures but this one I'm not sure about. I received this 5X7 photo one week after mailing it out. And it's signed but I can't tell if it was signed with a fancy fountain pen/marker or if it's a pre-print or auto pen. And I can't find anyone else who's received the same photo so I can compare signatures. For the time being I'm going to mark it as real but I have some doubts. Victoria Principal will always be remembered for playing "Pam Ewing" on "Dallas".


Victoria Principal - real autograph or just a dream?


Frederique Van Der Wal - Sent: 9/20/06 Received: 10/26/06. RTS. Ok so I originally wrote to Frederique via e-mailing through her web site. On September 19th I received a e-mailed reply saying to send a SASE to the address they provided. I did and then I got RTS from that address. All I have to say to that is: ????????????

Love captain

No this post has nothing to do with Tennile, but let's go back to the 1970's anyway.

Gavin MacLeod - Sent: 5/5/06 Received: 10/20/06. Gavin MacLeod will always be remembered from "The Love Boat" where he played "Captain Stubing". I haven't seen a rerun of "The Love Boat" in a while but I have heard the theme song recently. Classic. They just don't make catchy TV theme songs anymore like they used to. Gavin sent me this photo which he personalized to my name.



Gavin MacLeod (click to enlarge)

Shields on

Mail from Brooke Shields arrived at the mailbox today.

Brooke Shields - Sent: 8/31/06 Received: 10/16/06. "Blue Lagoon" was the first movie I remember Brooke Shields from. And I remember the super stardom that followed her ever since. Even though the photo wasn't personalized to my name (as I prefer) I was happy to have it for my collection. She isn't the easiest person to get. Not the hardest but definitely not the easiest. I sent my request to an address in California but it came back postmarked New York.



Brooke Shields (click to enlarge)

duck, duck, GOOSE!

Friday the 13th may be unlucky for some, but it wasn't for me!

Christopher McDonald - Sent: 9/20/06 Received: 10/13/06. By now you know what a fan I am of the movie "Grease 2". I was very happy to add Christopher McDonald's autograph to my collection today. He played The T-Bird "Goose" in the movie. I sent him a photo I had which was previously signed by Leif Green (who played the T-bird "Davey"). You might remember him more from playing "Bryce" on "Veronica's Closet".



"Grease 2" was Christopher McDonald's (left) 3rd acting job.

According to the mailman....

With no mail on Monday (Columbus Day) I was very happy to score a success today to hold me over until Tuesday. 4 successes in 6 mail days is very good this early in the month. (I hope it continues).

James Belushi - Sent: 8/16/06 Received: 10/7/06. From the TV show "According To Jim", I received James Belushi today. He was also a member of "SNL' for a few years and the brother of the late John Belushi. I noticed my first name was written on the bottom of the back side of my return envelope. His assistant must write the name there of who he should sign the photo to. A cool success.



James Belushi (click to enlarge)

Ted Lange - Sent: 9/20/06 Received: 10/7/06. RTS. A different address was handwritten on the envelope, so I will try that one. Ted was most recently seen on "Celebrity Fit Club".

Mail for you folks

October seems to be off to a great start so far.

Scott Lowell - Sent: 7/11/06 Received: 10/6/06. Scott is best known for playing "Ted" on "Queer As Folk". I really like the design of this photo with the black border and red stripe. Unfortunately the photo got a little dinged up (on the left hand side) in the mail before it got to me.



Scott Lowell (click to enlarge)

Mailbox double dip

Double success is a great way to start out a new mail month.

Mark Harmon - Sent: 7/31/06 Received: 10/2/06. A few months ago I received a huge lot of unsigned 8X10 photos as a gift from my friend Joey. I could have sworn there was a photo of Mark Harmon in there. I looked and looked and looked and looked and couldn't find it. But I specifically remembered what this photo looked like. When I couldn't find it, I just decided to write and request a photo from him. Come to find out what I thought was my photo was this photo which was a success my friend Lee got & posted on his blog. Oops. It's all ok now because today I received my own signed "NCIS" photo from Mark Harmon.



Mark Harmon (click to enlarge)


James Karen - Sent: 8/7/06 Received: 10/2/06. When I first got this photo from "Superman Returns" I didn't know who the man was next to Eve Marie Saint. But since, I've learned it's James Karen and he does sign TTM. I thought the photo would look better signed by both so I sent it to him. And you know what? It does! A lot of James scenes in "Superman Returns" were cut so I expect to see them in next month's DVD release. Check out imdb for a complete list of his credits. I'm sure you'll recognize a movie or TV show he's been on.



James Karen adds his signature on my "Superman Returns" photo.

Monthly recap: September VS August

September turned out to be a great month of quality successes.

September 2006 autographs

Autographs received TTM (real or believed to be): 13
Out of that number, the amount that were purchased: 1
Pre prints: 0
RTS: 1
Other: 1 (In-Person)
Total sent out in September: 16


August 2006 autographs

Autographs received (real or believed to be): 9
Out of that number, the amount that were purchased: 0
Pre prints: 0
RTS: 2
Other: 0
Total sent out in August: 22