Can someone please enlighten me on the concept of obtaining another human being's signature? I don't get it. What is the big deal?

You would have to ask other people but when they ask me I always give it to them and smile. You know its only being nice.

Not my cup o tea either but whatever floats peoples boats man

I just had this conversation with someone last night!
I don't see the point either. I'm glad I'm not the only one!





spelling edit
[Edited 9/15/08 7:25am]

i like getting books autographed, though i can't exactly say why. part of it is that if it's someone i really admire, it's an opportunity to tell them how much i appreciate their work. and if it happens to be a book signing, it's kind of weird to say "i really like your book, please don't sign mine."

Anxiety said:

I think it's an excuse to have a chance to possibly shake the hand or have a pleasant hello with someone who you admire. Or to, you know, prove you've "met" someone, I suppose. I've always enjoyed the signings I've been to for rock stars and authors. I like having signed copies of books and CDs and such. It's a nice little collectable, I guess.

Having things (like books or posters) signed also increases their value, in some cases.

For example, about 15 years ago...I went to an event at the film archives of the University of Wisconsin. They actually had Ginger Rogers there, talking about her film career. This was just a couple years before she died - and she was in a wheelchair. To preserve her dignity, they lowered the lights in the auditorium, wheeled her onstage, then brought the lights up.

Anyway, at the end of her talk (which was wonderful), the MC told us that Miss Rogers had hand signed a commemorative poster of the event for each person in attendance. I'd estimate there were 150 people there - which means there are only 150 signed posters in existence (though many more unsigned).

I haven't even had the poster framed because I'm so afraid something might happen to it. The woman who accompanied me that night had hers framed right away - and actually had it cut down to a different size, totally ruining its value as a collectible.

Usually I try and get books and CDs signed if I'm going to give them as a gift.
Makes it just a little more special.

i like the idea of an artist signing their work...but i can agree...some celebrity treatment veers to close to idolatry if you ask me (which is even trippier since i kinda wanna be famous)

Books, CDs and other publications are manufactured in a factory. Having them hand signed by the artist makes them more personal and unique, and not just another copy.

i sign my own autographs

I would never ask for an autugraph on a random sheet of paper, that's just proof you met someone. Who cares?

But if I had a copy of Lovesexy with me and I met Prince I might like it signed. If I had a basketball & I met Michael Jordan I might like it signed. Still, if I met those people (particuarly Prince) I would feel like a fool asking them to sign something for me.

I've only ever had one thing signed - I went to a book signing of Terry Pratchett's book 'Jingo'. I've been a fan of his work for years and was really excited to meet him. I stood in this massive queue for over an hour and the whole time I was thinking 'don't say anything stupid, don't say anything stupid'... So I get to the front of the queue, plonk my book down in front of him and say 'I go to bed with you every night!' (meaning I read your books every night, which in itself is a pretty lame thing to say!) He looked at me like . I was SO embarrased! I grabbed my book and scuttled off outside. When I opened the book he'd written 'Kerry, In your heart you know it's true!'

MrsGoodnight said:

omg!! That's awesome!

CarrieMpls said:

yes that's great! There's something magic about getting a bit of that person's personality sent your way. My friend once met Lenny Bruce. He said "Leonard Bruce, I'm Bruce Leonard," to which Lenny said "who the fuck cares?!" perfect! It's like getting punched by Muhammed Ali.

NDRU said:

I agree. I have had books signed, but I would never go up 2 someone & ask 4 a random autograph.

The one time I did, I asked George Clinton to autograph a napkin for a friend who reeeeeally wanted 2 go 2 his show. I knew it would've meant a lot 2 her, and I got the chance 2 hang out with him. (ONA Afterparty at the World in NYC- his concert had taken place there before Prince's).
He drew an "Atomic Dog" on it and signed it "To Karen, 'Woof'". I bought her a tee-shirt from GC's show, and gave her both, and she framed them.

chocolate1 said:

I used to do it as a kid sometimes, not knowing any better, it was what I was told I was supposed to do. But growing up in LA, I learned stars were just people, and why would I care if they signed a piece of paper? Moreover, it's not COOL! I wanted to BE a star, not get their autograph!
[Edited 9/15/08 14:34pm]

NDRU said:

(well, I don't want 2 B a star)
No one is knocking down my door 2 get my signature on a piece of paper because I'm a good teacher! )

chocolate1 said:

teachers are stars though. My History teacher was at Sean Penn's wedding to Madonna!
[Edited 9/15/08 14:40pm]

I don't know. I like that I have a tangible memory of meeting someone I care enough about to stand in line for forever. Plus I sometimes get cool points when people see my Jenna Jameson autograph.

Stymie said:

getting an item like a book or photo autographed is different to me. They call it a "signing" but really it's about meeting the person. plus it's associated with them and not just a random piece of paper

NDRU said:

Yeah I can see that. I only have 4 autographs: one is a book, and the other three are CDs.

shellyevon said:

i did that once. i got a book signed by david sedaris as a gift to someone else. for me, it was cool to meet sedaris, though i knew owning the actual autographed book meant more to my friend than it would to me.

i prefer my autographs to be made out to me on instruments of financial transfers of assets.

NDRU said:

Thank U!

ArielB said:

That's largely it for me. Also, I think some autographs have historical value; for example, I have a signed first edition of Bill Clinton's autobiography.

Five years after my first national publication, I'm still waiting for the first request to autograph something I've written, even though I've given copies for free upon request.

NDRU said:

Good luck getting a Prince autograph. I'm not even sure when he last signed an autograph for a fan as "Prince." I think his two most recent organized autograph signings were in March 1993 (where he signed as " ," even though he hadn't yet changed his name) and in 1994/95 to promote the NPG's Exodus (where he signed as "Tora Tora," the pseudonym he used on that album).

Since then, as far as I know, he's consistently declined autograph requests. I remember reading reports from people who tried during the 2004 tour. His responses varied from, "No, but I'll shake your hand instead," to offering a copy of Jehovah's Witnesses literature and saying, "This is more important."

When I was about 9 or 10 I started this autograph book of friends and family, got them to write something in it or sign it... I still have it, and now it's one of my most cherished possessions because it has something from my Mum, my Grandfather and someone I will always love.

matt said:

that would make a Tora Tora signed copy even more precious! BUt if I met Prince I would not ask for an autograph. I would much rather talk to him as a human being than immediately establish a fan/superstar thing. He might sue me!