Who Collects Autographs? Kaiju & Otherwise?

[armandv]

This topic came to mind as I went to the Hollywood Collector's Show in Burbank yesterday. While there, I obtained signed photos and posters from Noel Neill (Lois Lane), Jerry Maren (the Mole Man with the Electrolux raygun in Superman and the Mole Men (1951)), Traci Lords and Marilyn Chambers (the Ivory Snow girl). They were there in person.

Others I've obtained include Jonathan Frid (Barnabas Collins), Kirk Alyn (the screen's first Superman), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy), Hurricane Ryu, Haruo Nakajima, Ken Satsuma, Ronald & Nancy Reagan, Richard Nixon, Don DeFore, Clint Eastwood, Red Skelton and others.

Who about you all?

[musukogoji]

[armandv]

[william newell]

[canofhumdingers]

[Gfan54]

[Gfan54]

[GaryT]

I got several kaiju-related autographs the last time G-Fan was in Los Angeles: Haruo Nakajima, Sadamasa (Teisho) Arikawa, Megumi Odaka (who seemed really uncomfortable with the whole thing), Kenpachiro Satsuma, Koichi Kawakita and Noriaki Yuasa (who seemed to be having a ball).

Some non-kaiju autographs from the field of horror and sci-fi: Christopher Lee, Barbara Steele, Hazel Court, Roger Corman, Ray Harryhausen, Curt Siodmak, Veronica Carlson, Ingrid Pitt and many others. Generally don't purchase autographs from dealers, but I did buy a Vincent Price autographed self-portrait (the little carictature he used to draw) last year. Hopefully it's authentic and not a forgery!

[ebirahsmeg1]

I have Nakajima and Satsuma's autograph's from GCon 96 as well as Art Adam's Autograph on the cover art work for Dark Horse's Godzilla Issue # 0 I believe....

[KaijuZoo]

It is not that I collect autographs but I did get one that involves an interesting story. Back in 1994, I was on a flight coming back home from a business trip to Florida. I was in the window seat, young lady in the middle and a rather distinguished older gentleman talking to her from the aisle seat.

I overheard him, saying something about publishing magazines. I noticed on his hand a huge ornate ring and also picked up on a few other details such as a pencil-thin mustache.


I then excused myself and interrupted them, saying, "Sir, excuse me but are you Forrest J. Ackerman?". He said yes and my jaw dropped! My brother and I grew up with Famous Monsters of Filmland and then he and I started to have a marvelous conversation, so much so that the young woman, stuck in the middle, switched seats with Uncle Forry!!

"4E" explained that the ring he was wearing was indeed the same one Bela Lugosi wore in "Dracula". We must've talked for an hour before I reached my destination. Prior to landing, he opened up his briefcase, and pulled out a copy of the latest issue of Famous Monsters, and signed it with a dedication to my brother and me. A very memorable chance meeting with a movie monster genre icon, a person that I will never forget.

[armandv]

[Zombiezilla]

That is a cool story. I think that rings says a lot about Forry. He has had that thing forever and ever, and yet you know he still probably refers to it as "Bela's ring" and probably doesn't even feel he owns it. I met Forry once, and he was a really nice guy. A living example of how we should all be with fandom.

I collect autographs when I can, but I don't stand in line for them. I also will not pay for them. I mostly collect signed books though. I love those. I have Dan Simmons, Joseph Citro, Jack Ketchum, Joe Lansdale, Edward Lee (though I think I sold all of those...), and many others I can't think of.

I also have Jackie Chans autobiography and it is signed. I have heard his scribble is actually kind of a tough one to get. I wouldn't know.

I have Brian James from The Damned/Lords Of The New Church, Tyla from Dogs D'Amour. Heck, I have all of the Dogs sigs on a pack of Marlboro Lights. Mostly obscure Glam bands that would mean nothing to people outside of the Glam world.

Oh, I have Tom Savini's on a bubblegum card from Day Of the Dead. I want to get him to sign my first print of Grande Illusions. Bought it when it first came out. I was like 12 and shovled the walk to the local costume/make-up shop to get the money for it. LOL! GREAT memory!

As I mention in the other thread, I have the Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Godzilla signed by Ed, Satsuma, and Nakajima.

I would love to have more sigs, but standing in line would take away from other things. It is a cool thing to have a bunch of though, especially if you are the one who has gotten the sigs.

[Destroyer D]