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Author
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Topic: Covering our tracks
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thecollector
Member Posts: 216
From: West TN, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-13-2000 11:38 PM
  
Im certain that almost everyone here has sent off at least ONE autograph request. Even the most inexperienced of us here have mailed off a few requests. But when these requests are met so graciously by those whom we bother with requests, do we often leave them with a good impression of us. I have read horror stories of mobs at Aldrin book signings and such and that is why it is important that the good collectors leave a good impression just as those others leave a sour taste in the mouths of the astronauts. I encourage everyone to follow up a successful request with a brief thank you note or even call. Once, while Wally Schirra had my We Seven book to sign, I gave him a quick call and expressed my greatest thanks for the favor which he was performing. "It's good to hear someone actually say that for one...I'll be sure to sign that and get it back in the mail for you very quickly," was Jolly Wally's response. If we want these guys to continue to help us out, show our appreciation to them. Just a thought,
Ryan |
randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 11-14-2000 10:14 AM
I sent Gene Kranz a thank you note for a picture he autographed for me. It made me feel good and I hope it left him with a 'good taste in his mouth'. I'll do it again when I ask for another autograph. |
Dr. William R. Hanson
Member Posts: 150
From: Glens Falls, NY 12801
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 11-14-2000 08:36 PM
Good point, Ryan. Too many folks today neglect the common courtesies, like the clerk in the store who rings up your purchase and simply announces "thirteen ninety-five", instead of, "that will be thirteen dollars and ninety five cants, please". Or the ones who seem to think, "Have a nice day." is a substitute
for "Thank you."I'm afraid I don't always follow up receipt of a signed item through te mail with a "Thank You" note (although I should, admittedly), but I at least remember to say please and thank you in my letter of request. You'd be surprised how many requests I get that have neither...and often fail to include the SSAE too!! You've got the right attitude; keep it up. All the best, Doc Dr. William R. Hanson
Lunar Artist-Apollo16 |
NC Apollo Fan
Member Posts: 261
From: Belmont, NC USA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 11-14-2000 09:35 PM
I had the opportunity to meet Charlie Duke not long ago and he was kind enough to sign something for my father (who had worked on the Apollo program). I briefly explained my father's role in the program and Mr. Duke listened with genuine interest - he even asked a few questions.When I returned home I took a photograph of dear old dad with the signed item. I then wrote a letter of thanks to Mr. Duke and included one of the photographs. One of the first things that we learn as a child is to give thanks when appropriate, so it seems natural to extend it whenever we can. Even through the mail, if possible. I hope that he received my letter because I very much enjoyed having the honor to meet him. |
WAWalsh
Member Posts: 809
From: Cortlandt Manor, NY
Registered: May 2000
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posted 11-16-2000 06:39 PM
I agree with the thought that one should express your appreciation for the time someone is taking to provide an autograph. Sometimes this is best in the initial request. Given the volume of mail Apollo astronauts receive, I am not sure if they need the volume doubled. Certainly, as Doc notes, any request should be polite and conclude with a thank you and best wishes. A follow-up note certainly seems appropriate, however, after receiving a special inscription or item. The topic posting reminded me of a thank you that was slightly overdue.
I would offer another variation on this point. For the few astronauts I have had the honor to meet, I make sure that I take a moment to shake their hand and thank them for their efforts on behalf of the country and mankind.[This message has been edited by WAWalsh (edited November 16, 2000).] |
astronut
Member Posts: 969
From: South Fork, CO
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 11-16-2000 07:14 PM
I always end a request letter to an astronaut with:Thanks in advance for signing my xxx (photo, etc) and thank you for serving our country. ------------------
c]:-)
Wayne Edelman
(The Texican) |
apollo11lem5@aol.com
unregistered
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posted 11-17-2000 01:43 PM
Great Job Ryan !! "Common courtesy" is not all that common or perhaps not as often as we would believe.It is something I practiced diligently and sometimes it would yield a wonderful and unexpected result.Back in the mid 1980's I wrote to Neil Armstrong for an autograph.He complied and I proceeded to send a thank you letter.I knew that Mr. Armstrong liked "big band" music and I sent him a tape of "What's New" by Linda Ronstadt because I thought he would enjoy it (a 59 cent tape I recorded myself).He promptly called me at home one evening and said how unusual it was for him to be thanked.We had a conversation for about 20 minutes and it was truly wonderful. Good will frequently breeds good will and you are on the right track .I am not advocating sending gifts but I have experienced the rewards and kindness that courtesy and a sincere thank you can bring.You are to be commended! Keep it up. Once again...great job!!!.. Donald Brady |
Joe Davies
Member Posts: 258
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-18-2000 11:33 AM
WOW Don ! that IS impressive. Great one for the lads down the pub "sorry I'm a bit late but Neil kept me talking on the phone" or "once you give these guys your phone number you cant get rid of them" !! Thats amazing. That is a great memory to have.Personally I believe the sending of gifts, thank-you's etc is relative to WHO you are sending them to. When I first started writing to some of the Apollo astronauts I had almost no idea how to go about it or what to say (its questionable whether I have any idea anyway), though I had found out their signing feesd and always sent that and postage money. I sort of reasoned that I was being intrusive so should somehow say "thank you" in advance. So for the first 6 astronauts I wrote to I sent them a copy of a book I authored, seemed a good choice of gift as it was "personal", although I was conscious that the subject matter was probably not of interest to them it still had merit on the "its the thought that counts" adage. And guess what ? not one of them even acknowledged this let alone thanked me. Sure, they signed and returned the items I sent but I sent the $$$ to cover that. The moral of the story for me, based on my own experience and those of others I have heard of is that thank-you's and gifts are only as worthwhile as to whom you are giving them to, and in practise this generally means the ones who sign for free are more likley to be appreciative than the ones who charge as a business. Excuse me now, I have to go out and empty the store shelves of big band music...... |
thecollector
Member Posts: 216
From: West TN, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-18-2000 06:21 PM
I agree that most of the free signers are the "nicer" (bad choice of words I suppose) people. But that fact itself kind of reflects their personality. The free signers still know how to do a good old fashioned favor for those who look up to them, while the others dont care what you think about them as long as the check keep coming in. It takes the meaning of the autograph out. Instead of being something that someone wanted to sign for you, its like you MAKE them do it by giving them money. At least that is MY opinion, but what do I know--other than the fact that if I make it into this business, I will NOT charge <i>anyone</i>for an autograph. To me it is an honor for someone just to want my blamed autograph, but then again I've never been to the moon. |
collshubby
Member Posts: 591
From: Madisonville, Louisiana
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-19-2000 02:39 AM
Well, the way I see it is this. When an astronaut, or any celebrity charges, you arn't paying for the autograph; you are paying for their time. Many of them are in private business. Any time they have to take away from their business costs them money (at least that is what they think), so they charge you for the time it takes to sign an item. ------------------
astronautbrian@space.com
http://members.tripod.com/~brianspeter/index.html |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-19-2000 10:49 AM
quote:
Originally posted by thecollector:
I agree that most of the free signers are the "nicer" (bad choice of words I suppose) people. But that fact itself kind of reflects their personality. The free signers still know how to do a good old fashioned favor for those who look up to them, while the others dont care what you think about them as long as the check keep coming in.
Given that the majority of collectors see no problem with selling an autograph they receive (at least based on the polls and questionnaires collected on this site), in fact often requesting "extras" for the sole purpose of selling, why should the astronauts feel the need to do a favor? If collecting space memorabilia had remained a hobby -- where transactions were limited to trading and gifting -- and not a market, then I would probably object to the astronauts charging for their autograph. Alas, we live in the world we do and if charging a fee keeps an astronaut signing (as opposed to completely closing shop, as some have chosen to do in light of the commercialization of their autographs), then I, for one, feel grateful that I can choose to pay a fee and obtain their signature for my collection. |
Dan Lorraine
Member Posts: 373
From: Cranston, R.I.
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-19-2000 11:14 AM
The reason most "celebrities" charge for their autographs is because most of them got sick of seeing other people profit from their signature (namely the autograph dealers). When I started writing to the astronauts in the late 60's, it was very easy to get an autograph from any astronaut -- the only thing you had to contend with then was the autopen! I still have all of the autographed photos and letters (many hand written) that were sent to me -- I'm happy and fortunate to have gotten involved when I did.Dan Lorraine |
thecollector
Member Posts: 216
From: West TN, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-19-2000 11:46 AM
I agree that they have a right to be upset with commercialization of the autos. |
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