Meeting Jane Curtin tonight. Need advice

I'm set to try and complete my SNL vinyl cover tonight. Jane Curtin is the last autograph I need to complete this item. I spoke to the venue. She's set to arrive at 530 and all they can do is take my item and ask her if she will sign out of sight. This complicates things. I can't use a paint pen out of fear it will be smudged. No one in the area sells a basic silver sharpie. They have new metallic ones which seem crappy for this specific item.

I'm wondering if I should wait outside and try to stop her myself? I've read so many horror stories about her unwilling to sign items. Would it be best to let the venue take it to her and ask? I'm in a crazy loop of over thinking. Traveled over 1000 miles to be here and it's only a few hours left until it's time.

I'm going to keep searching for a basic fast drying silver marker to cover the vinyl being signed in any area. My preferred pick would be an extra fine white paint pen but only if I can control the situation.

Anyone have any last minute advice?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin 15 hours ago

I love the photo of Jane with your family. I like the autograph, especially since Jane is front and center on the back of the album. Taking the inscription off would scare the heck out of me.

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Permalink Reply by Jason H 15 hours ago

Thanks. I'm a bit fluffy after gaining 15lbs over the last month haha. Stressed out a bit from this trip but also eating way too much NY food because we want to try everything. My wife recorded our entire interaction on video as well.

I tend to do scary things more often than I should since I'm never really concerned about value of items. Just need to make sure it's not a hasty stupid decision. If I'm not absolutely 100% sure it can be done without damage or leaving traces of white paint behind, I wont even attempt it. I'll be practicing removing the same pen from other dummy vinyl covers first

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo 13 hours ago

I would not. Please don't. You've got this far. That is what Jane wrote for you - don't edit 38% of the characters, or 50% of the words. I think the integrity you mentioned is more at stake if you attempt this removal. The down side risk is truly the stuff of nightmares. Any testing would have to be on an equivalent age LP cover of the same type to be of any relevance and it still is not 100% re the outcome. I would never consider anything with a sticker - or anything altered/damaged either. I have bought authentic Gleason 8x10 and upon seeing the removal, which often shows, I sent it back It was quite a good price - now is is nearly $1000 more IIRC. I'm glad to be rid of it. Problem piece. Yours is beautiful - now. After? Who can say. Why find out? You got your white on black contrast and the perfect placement.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Sloss 10 hours ago

Thank you for sharing. The joy in collecting is often times found in the story of getting the piece, rather than in the piece itself. In this case the piece is superb...now I can't wait to hear the story. When you tell it, I'd like to hear how each signature was obtained. Congrats on a great item!

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin 15 hours ago

I look forward to your post on it.

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Permalink Reply by Hyacinth House 2 hours ago

I’m so happy for you. I was rooting for you all the way from the UK.
As Hannibal would say, I love it when a plan comes together!

A happy story and conclusion that makes a pleasant change from all the negative news these days. Well done

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Permalink Reply by JK 13 hours ago

With all due respect, I think you'd be insane to mess with that inscription to try to "improve" the autograph. It's all part of the item's history. You have a rare, desirable, and historical item that doesn't need improvement.

I'm not a fan of altering autographs or inscriptions in general, and it often results in an item that looks unrealistic, suspicious, or unbalanced. In this particular case, I doubt that any removal could be done without leaving a mess behind. Also, the extra writing in her hand helps authenticate it.

Sure, it would have been better if she didn't inscribe it, but I assume the inscription was part of the deal. A different pen might have been a little better but you made your choice. The signatures of many of the other signers could be better if different pens were used. But you shouldn't look at it that way. It's a huge victory to add the last signature and complete an important piece.