Collecting Signed Books Through the Mail
Collecting signed books through the mail is a method used by many autograph collectors to enhance their collection of autographs.
Famous scientists, presidents, sports stars, and many other notable personalities such as Monica Lewinsky and Traci Lords, have authored books.
Autographs that famous people would be reluctant to provide on a photograph or index card can often be obtained on a book they have authored.
Before sending a book to a famous personality, it would be helpful to first send a nice letter requesting their autograph on a book you plan to send them.
Be sure to enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard with your letter that has check boxes for either "Yes, please send the book" or "No, please do not send the book.
" Place a line beneath the check boxes for another possible signature! Instead of a postcard, you could do something similar with a self-addressed stamped letter.
You initial query, if properly returned, will also serve as confirmation that your address for the celebrity is valid.
Assuming that you receive an affirmative reply, send your book to the celebrity right away.
Send your book with Priority Mail service from the U.
S.
Post Office since the cost is close to that of first class mail.
Be sure to enclose another letter that reminds the author that they gave permission to autograph the book and return it.
Don't forget to thank them for their autograph.
It is very important to also enclose a self-addressed stamped return envelope for the book to be returned to you.
The ideal time to send a request for book signing is soon after the famous celebrity has published a book and is in the immediate post-publishing promotional phase.
Authors are usually not keen about signing books that were published a long time ago.
A good source of books for signing may be your local thrift shop or library used book sale where prices are usually deeply discounted.
Books that are first editions are the most desirable for author signing.
Book collectors prefer first editions to reprints or Book Club editions.
Make sure that you retain the dust jacket before sending your book to a celebrity.
Dust jackets are very fragile and there is a chance that the dust jacket may become damaged in shipping or not returned with the book.
A book is more valuable with an intact dust jacket.
Many authors may surprise you with a signed photo, an inscription, or a kind note, further adding to the excitement.
Your self-addressed postcard is corroboration that helps validate the provenance of the signature in your book.
Collecting signed books through the mail can be a great way to build your collection of autographs.
Famous scientists, presidents, sports stars, and many other notable personalities such as Monica Lewinsky and Traci Lords, have authored books.
Autographs that famous people would be reluctant to provide on a photograph or index card can often be obtained on a book they have authored.
Before sending a book to a famous personality, it would be helpful to first send a nice letter requesting their autograph on a book you plan to send them.
Be sure to enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard with your letter that has check boxes for either "Yes, please send the book" or "No, please do not send the book.
" Place a line beneath the check boxes for another possible signature! Instead of a postcard, you could do something similar with a self-addressed stamped letter.
You initial query, if properly returned, will also serve as confirmation that your address for the celebrity is valid.
Assuming that you receive an affirmative reply, send your book to the celebrity right away.
Send your book with Priority Mail service from the U.
S.
Post Office since the cost is close to that of first class mail.
Be sure to enclose another letter that reminds the author that they gave permission to autograph the book and return it.
Don't forget to thank them for their autograph.
It is very important to also enclose a self-addressed stamped return envelope for the book to be returned to you.
The ideal time to send a request for book signing is soon after the famous celebrity has published a book and is in the immediate post-publishing promotional phase.
Authors are usually not keen about signing books that were published a long time ago.
A good source of books for signing may be your local thrift shop or library used book sale where prices are usually deeply discounted.
Books that are first editions are the most desirable for author signing.
Book collectors prefer first editions to reprints or Book Club editions.
Make sure that you retain the dust jacket before sending your book to a celebrity.
Dust jackets are very fragile and there is a chance that the dust jacket may become damaged in shipping or not returned with the book.
A book is more valuable with an intact dust jacket.
Many authors may surprise you with a signed photo, an inscription, or a kind note, further adding to the excitement.
Your self-addressed postcard is corroboration that helps validate the provenance of the signature in your book.
Collecting signed books through the mail can be a great way to build your collection of autographs.
