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

Collector, Fan, Just Curious

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

U.S. Presidents, Vice-Presidents
Governor of Maryland
Dr. Martin Luther King
Neil Armstrong & Astronauts
Paul McCartney & Beatles & Yoko Ono
James Taylor, Jackson Browne, C,S,N, & Y
The Byrds & Roger McGuinn
Assorted Rock & Folk Musicians
Bill Monroe - Father of Bluegrass & Bluegrass Musicians
Tony Rice, David Grisman, Chet Atkins, Glenn Miller
Margaret Mitchell, James Michener, Ernest Hemingway
John Unitas, Cal Ripken, Michael Phelps

What is your level of expertise?

Advanced Collector, Long Time Lover

Why do you want to join Autograph Live?

I have collected autographs for many years.

Who can we thank for telling you about us?

I found this magazine doing my own research.

What are your areas of interest?

Sports, History/Politics, Books/Literature, Music, Space/Aviation/Military

Why do you collect?

It's fun, very interesting, supports history, and can achieve significant monetary gains over an extended period of time.

What is your favorite autograph in your collection?

It's a tie!

First, Neil Armstrong, with an excellent signature on a popular photo of himself in his spacesuit with the the moon sitting directly behind. My Dad was involved with the Apollo space program for his work, and consequently was able to meet many astronauts, go to rocket launchings, etc., and he established some very good contacts in the space industry. Dad obtained the Neil Armstrong signature within the first year after the historic flight. Framed with the photo are two first day issue postcards, and a series of U.S. postal stamps honoring the first Apollo moon landing. Neil Armstrong does not sign things too often any more, lives a very private life, and so his autographs are considered to be the "Holy Grail" of space explorer signatures. The one I own is totally authentic, and it is very cool the way Armstrong's pen leaves a little trail at the very end, where the ink is barely noticeable from Armstrong releasing pressure off of the tip of the pen. It is not for sale at this time.

Equally as great to me, Paul McCartney & James Taylor on the right inside of the original album, "James Taylor", released by Apple Records in 1968, Paul signed in bold pen next to "Carolina in My Mind" in which he is credited for playing bass. In truth, Paul was actually playing the drums and placed a question mark by his name for the confusion with playing bass. Although not credited, George Harrison was also a part of the song, singing backup vocals. Paul and Peter Asher produced the album. McCartney went to N.Y.C. for a promotion and took with him 100 albums, all of which he supposedly signed and passed out for free to radio D.J.'s and others connected in the rock music business. A D.J. named Archer, then from Provincetown, R.I. received one of the signed albums. I met Archer at a John Lennon "Star in the Walk" dedication in Hollywood in the late 1980's I believe it was, coinciding with the prerelease
of the movie "Imagine". Archer learned of my interest with James Taylor and McCartney, and "to totally freak me out", he sent me as a gift in the mail this signed album, completely unanticipated. The James Taylor signature that is below McCartney's, next to the words of "Night Owl" I received in person from James in October, 1999 following a concert with the Baltimore Symphony at the Myerhoff Symphony Hall. The album is actually signed on the front cover as well by James. That was done in Portland, Oregon with Archer (still the owner and a D.J.) taking a picture of James signing the record at a radio station promotion. I have a copy of the picture. Archer's fiance is standing next to James in the picture. Years ago I was offered $2,000 in cash for the signed record, and I turned it down. If it remains in the same superb condition that it is at present, years from now the record will be valued at considerably more. It is not for sale at this time.

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

Jesus