posted 04-11-2006 01:45 PM               

In person - same rules. Be polite, give me something to sign. Lending me a Sharpie helps. Understand that I may not sign now if I'm about to give a presentation, but ask me later. If I can't at either time, please understand that no means no _at this time_. I would probably limit the number of items, though. Two max is okay, if you're getting stuff for a friend, okay, another two items. But I can't take the time out to sign a dozen items when there are other people who want to meet with me.

On a topic not covered: I'd personalize if you want, but please have something with the person's name as everybody has their own way of spelling their name. I'd prefer not to in-person, if only to speed up the process and make sure that everyone who wants will be able to get to see me.

posted 04-11-2006 03:09 PM               

I suspect most, if not all, astronauts are aware that a sizeable percentrage of requests they receive (25%? 50%?) are from people with the aim of profiting from their signatures. But I think most of them are smart enough to figure out who these people are...based on the types of letters they receive. A sincere letter will stand apart from a fill-in-the-blank form letter.

If the roles were reversed, I would hope I would have the patience and kindness of a man like John Glenn. He seems more than happy to give everyone one autograph. However, if the roles were reversed and I ran into enough people who were obviously using me for their own personal gains, I suspect I might eventually adopt the approach of Bill Anders.

posted 04-11-2006 09:09 PM               

Who can know? I respect the choices each of them has made, even if I wish they had chosen differently. If I were in their position, I'm sure that I would leave more than a few people ticked at me and still believe quite sincerely that they had no justification in feeling that way.

posted 04-12-2006 06:45 AM               

I can see why these guys get jaded. I can't imagine how many thousands of autograph requests they get, and to think that people are just loading them up with things to sign and then immediately putting their stuff up for sale on eBay is basically just reducing our national heroes to printing presses.

I always make sure to write a personal letter to each one of the astronauts, being specific about what I most remembered about their missions, and thanking them for their service to America and the world. These people put their lives on the line and they deserve to be treated with utmost respect.

posted 04-12-2006 07:40 AM               

I'm sure it's hard to separate the good from the bad, when letters are received, but I hope I would be an active signer- wanting to give something back!

posted 04-12-2006 05:42 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by cddfspace:
I'm sure it's hard to separate the good from the bad, when letters are received, but I hope I would be an active signer- wanting to give something back!

---

Sincerity in your letter goes a LONG way in helping them weed out the good from the bad. In that regard, one should only collect autographs of those they truly admire and avoid collecting to "fill voids." If you write to an astronaut to fill a void in your collection, the letter will read with less sincerity, I believe.

Also, as a rule, I tend to only send one photo for signature. Multiple photos raises the level of suspicion that you're a dealer. In rare cases, I will send two photos...because I have photos from two different programs they participated in, or I have two pics are are just crying out for signature and I'd rather not bother them with a seperate request at a later date. But I always try to make it clear that I would be more than happy with just one signature. So far, every request has come back with both pics signed.

And I always follow up with a brief "thank you" note or postcard. I always want to show my appreciation and gratitude. Plus, I figure my "thank you" also helps the next person who requests a signature. If the astro doesn't feel that their time is appreciated, they may "retire" from responding to requests.

posted 05-01-2006 06:00 PM               

I would do the "two limit" thing through things in the mail, but I don't think I would track requests nor hire anyone to do that for me.

If it got overwhelming, yes, I could give it up without trying to offend....but then if I wrote a book and expected to sell it, I don't see how I could get around NOT doing a signing book tour. And then I guess I would sign one or two additional items per person that bought a book.

If I did the "sign once a year all the stuff that accumulated", I guess I would post that on my website....hoping that I did not die with a pile of stuff unsigned and unreturned.

Clearly, YOU provide the item you want signed and return postage.....unless I am an active duty official, I got a picture budget to supply them.

No, I don't expect THANK YOU notes....justs adds to the correspondance burden (in my mind).

I will only use "real" ink, not ballpoint....if it is something that requires a Sharpie, like Kim Poor says...."we do this alot.....and have about every color you could ask for." Please don't send pens....I ain't mailing them back, because they probably will damage your item in transit.

What else....oh, yeah, don't try to track down a home mailing address....just send to my PO box or the office.....I will get it, and if I do, I will sign it and return it. Sending to the home only gets it put into the "sign it once a year" or less pile....and you also hope I don't die before I get to your item.

Cheers !

Gene

posted 05-01-2006 06:18 PM               

(My personal pet peeve are those who say "thank you in advance" as it seems they can't be bothered to send their thanks after you've done a favor for them.)

Plus, the effort to sign and return items is an otherwise thankless job. I suspect very few send thank you notes...in which case it doesn't hurt if some of us do. In fact, it probably helps the next person in line.