I hadn’t done much autograph requesting through the mail once Summer of 1985 ended and I rolled into the Fall and another school year. But as usual, something triggered a renewal in my interest as Christmas began to approach. It was most likely another visit to one of Sons of the Desert meetings in Springfield and the most recent gander at Carl Ahlm’s collection. I had him order me a new batch of photos from his source and was primed to do some serious requestage over Christmas break. I had the wild idea that celebrities were more ‘generous’ with their requestors around the holidays.
On December 10, 1985, I sent out seven requests for autographs, always carefully composing a handwritten, flattering letter, and inserting a self-addressed stamped envelope, a piece of cardboard to protect the photo, two notecards, and a paper clip to hold it all together. Over half of these attemps met with failure: Alvin Childress never answered and soon passed away, President Ronald Reagan sent only a photo with a pre-printed signature (and I’m guessing he had someone else send it at that), Robert Blake didn’t answer this time, and Bob Hope’s secretary supplied me with three phony signed photos (although I didn’t know it at the time).
The first letter I wrote and sent that day was the second successful attempt to return. It arrived on January 6, 1986. I had sent Gene Autry the somewhat generic collage above which he graciously signed. But more impressive was that he sent the even cooler photo below to me, one that I treasure. I grew up watching old westerns at times with my Dad, so I was familiar with his work as a cowboy star, Christmas crooner, and California Angels owner. I still treasure this great photo.
Autographs of late 1985 will continue…
Bypass the autographs and continue with 1985…
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