What kind of member are you? (Check as many as apply.)

Collector

What would you like to tell us about yourself, your collecting, or business.

I've been collect for over 50 years. I started as a teenager writing to politicians and astronauts. I became a professional singer (NYC Opera, 30 years+) and concentrated on operatic composers and performers. Among my favorite autographs are letters of Verdi, Puccini and Bizet. I also collect scores and SMQs from contemporary composers and artists I have worked with and known over my career. I especially like signed photos of singers in costume. I also collect vintage Shakespearean actors from Burbage to Branagh.

What is your level of expertise?

Advanced Collector

Why do you want to join Autograph Live?

A lifelong interest in history, music, art and autograph collecting.

Who can we thank for telling you about us?

William Ecker

What are your areas of interest?

History/Politics, Books/Literature, Modern Hollywood and Stage, Classic Hollywood and Stage, Music

Why do you collect?

I collect because one of my charges on this earth is to preserve the past. As Faulkner wrote: "The past is never dead. It's not even past."

What is your favorite autograph in your collection?

One of my favorite letters is one from Maria Callas to Joan Crawford discussing will-power and dieting. I also treasure one of Caruso's best self-charicatures as well as a beautifully penned letter of entreaty from a lady-friend of Rossini's who adds a signed post-script and forwards it to his patron, "cher Baron."

You can ask anyone living or dead for their autograph. Who would it be?

In the interest of having something to trade for all the other autographs I might ever want, I guess I would pick someone like Jesus or Moses. It would fetch an enormous sum although I can't imagine who could authenticate it or how. If I could have any autograph that actually exists I would choose Shakespeare since he is my favorite writer and there are only about half a dozen authentic examples known to exist..