Sunday, January 31, 2016

Cpt Caveman's TTM autographs Bonus blog-Beginners guide to TTM collecting



Hello and welcome everyone to a bonus post, this week I thought id do a quick step by step guide to our method of TTM autograph collecting to help any new collectors out there that may need a little info or help to get them started. This is an updated version of the original beginners guide post.

Step 1-Research and Address Hunting
First thing I do is research the celeb or athlete i intend to write. I look to see what they are currently doing are they filming or retired, for musicians and bands maby there out on tour. I research for there addresses and management addresses. I look at there signing habits do they even sign autographs for fans. Some big name celebs wont sign period. They get tired of signing or seeing the items they thought they signed for true fans online for sell on eBay so they just dont sign. Luckily alot still do sign IP and TTM. When researching addresses a website that was ok and free but now its full of spammers is fan mail.biz. There are other sites but they are payed membership sites and fanmail is a free site and its a great place to start, but i recommend StarTiger its a pay site but with more current addresses and forums that actually help members, but with enough online research you can find at least one contact address or email for about any celeb. For sports stars if a home address is unavailable try sending it to the teams stadium or training facility has worked well for us.

Step 2-What to send -pictures and printing
After I have my info and addresses then comes what I think is the hardest part. What do I want signed. We usually send 4x6 photos but others prefer 8x10s and others use 3x5 index cards. Some collectors send baseballs to everyone not just baseball players to have signed its really a matter of sending what you like. Choosing the perfect picture to get signed can be the hardest part. You want one that you like but it also has to have lighter areas for the celeb to sign. Some will sign with silver or gold sharpies that show up well on darker pictures but most of our reply's have been in black ink so I always try to choose pictures with a lighter background behind the celeb so they have a good area that they can sign in. For athletes sports cards are a great thing to have signed if you have them laying around might at well try to get some signed but id shy away from glossy cards the ink doesn't stick so well. One thing I do is gently rub glossy cards on a small piece of flat denim. This buffs some of the gloss off but be careful not to damage the card. We also started sending the DVD and bluray covers from our favorite films to be signed. Authors are usually happy to sign a copy of there book. To find the pictures I use I like to use BING to search for images of the person I want to send to or pictures from there films just go with what you like. After I find the pictures I use my cell phone to save the pictures I then transfer them to my laptop for editing if needed and to transfer to a standard size SD card. Iv tried saving the pictures off google search images but they always seem to print out fuzzy or are the wrong size. Then I either print them myself on my photo printer or I go to a place that has a photo kiosk then print my photos there. Now IV heard people try that at wall mart and have been hassled about copyrights. I asked my photo tech at the local chain pharmacy I goto they said as long as its not marked with a copyright and i pulled it offline then they consider it public domain and IV never had a problem printing my pictures there.

Step 3-Stamps and Envelopes
So after we have what we want signed the next step I do is get my request envelope and my SASE or self addressed stamped envelope ready. For envelopes we primarily use 4 1/8 inch by 9 1/2 inch strip and seal envelopes they fit 4x6 pictures perfectly and no licking or water to seal the envelope. I address the envelope to the celebs with my address in the return area and there's in the proper place. For my SASE I put my address in both spots to insure it returns to me that way even if it doesn't have proper return postage it will still return to me postage due and not be sent back to the celeb. Then I write "please do not bend or fold thanks" on the front and back of the envelope and the celebs initials very small on a back corner (incase it comes back empty and opened I know who to re write). Then put proper postage on both. For our 4x6 photos usually one stamp per envelope works. That gets us 2-3 pictures our letter and our SASE sent for one stamp and that's plenty for our return of just a couple pictures. For in the US just regular postage stamps will do but for the overseas requests you need Global forever stamps (my post office worker said that they are now phasing out the US Global stamps and that now you just use regular postage stamps for send to foreign lands.) Its usually around $1.20 to mail the regular size white or small brown envelopes overseas but its always best to have the post office weigh it just to make sure.

Step 4-Writing your letter of request
Now its time to write that letter. I usually write a full front page letter sometimes a front and back depending on how big a fan we are. We write sincere heartfelt personal letters to the celebs and not just a generic can I have your autograph letter. Sometimes that's all it takes but id rather be sincere its worked better for us. I write them thanking them for all the joy they have given us over the years. I tell them exactly why we are fans and not just we loved you in such and such movie. We tell them exactly how there work has touched our lives and thank them for it. After all that towards the end I add my request for there autograph followed by please and thanking them again for everything especially there time. Now for really huge celebs or extremely rare or harder to obtain ones we write 2-4 page letters. Sometimes it just takes the right letter and they could decide to sign. Sometimes is still a waist of time and stamps you just never know.

Step 5-Mail and wait
So you have your pictures and you're envelopes ready and you letter is written its time to neatly put it all in your request envelope, dont forget item to be signed, letter and SASE and seal it up check that proper postage is on both then drop it in you mail box and wait and sometimes wait some more lol sometimes your lucky and it only takes a week or two but usually it takes months or even a year or more before you might get a reply. Usually the bigger the celeb the longer the wait but not always its all in the luck of the draw when they pull your letter out of the fan mail pile and reply.

Step 6-log book
So after I send my letter a handy thing I do is keep log books. I write the celebs name and date I sent the request along with the address I used in the book and that way I can mark the date when and if its returned. Another tip is I dont hesitate once I find a working address I get a letter out the next day. They can stop signing at anytime you just never know and especially when its an older celeb I dont waste time getting my request to them they may develop health issues that can stop them from signing or maby just get tired of signing all these years. Its there choice to sign for us fans not something they have to do but I always appreciate the ones who do and I'm sure they appreciate us fans or they wouldn't reply at all.


Step 7-Autograph storage
So you finally got a reply and some autographs so now what to do with them. Since we send 4x6 photos the best thing we have found is 3 ring binders and protective photo pages. They hold 6 pictures each ( 3 on each side plus they have a small pocket on the top corner that's fits out blank autograph cards perfectly and its also a great spot to store the occasional guitar pick you get back. For larger pictures like 8x10's we use acid free page protectors. I prefer the thicker one. There a little more on cost but the protection is better than the cheap flimsy page protectors. Plus they fit perfectly in our 3 ring binders. For large posters we frame them. Frames can be found on Amazon for reasonable prices. Its also a good place to purchase UV protected ball cubes for just about any type of sports ball. We store all our signed Baseballs and golf balls this way. PSA/DNA also offers to encapsulate you're autographs for a fee when you send your autographs in for authentication. This is a great way to protect and increase the value of a special autograph in your collecting but depending on the item and the number of signatures it can get expensive.

Well everyone that's how we do it I hope this helps any new collectors looking to get into TTM autograph collecting. Ill be back next week with new autographs and tested addresses until then keep graphing and keep an eye out for more bonus posts with helpful TTM autograph collecting tips on certain Sundays or Mondays coming soon.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Cpt. Caveman's TTM autographs #29



Hello and welcome to another weekly TTM successes with a great new look. Today my daughter Winter turns 11 years old and she already has an amazing autograph collection. Lol alot better than mine at that age anyways. Sadly we lost a great musician and founding member of Jefferson Airplane when Paul Kantner passed away this week. I hope all my east coast readers made it through the big winter storm. We received 20 inches here and I finally got dug out and made it to the post office this week so ill get right to the successes but before I do I ran across a PSA website with examples of autographs to compare with and for research purposes. It doesn't have everyone but it does have a bunch of big name celebs and sports stars so if you're interested you can check it out here. First Monday brought an awesome return from Sir George Martin also known as the Fifth Beatle and it only took about six months for this legendary Music producer to sign our CD cover and return it. To finish off the day we got both pictures we sent to the Captain of the 1980 Olympic gold medal winning hockey team Mike Eruzione back signed in just over a month. Mr. Eruzione made the winning shot in the "Miracle on Ice" game against the soviet team insuring the gold. Wednesday brought a super cool and very fast reply from Elinor Donahue. We sent her two pictures from the Star Trek episode "Metamorphosis" and they returned signed in only eight days. Along with her work on Star Trek you also may remember her from "Father Knows Best" and as the pharmacist Ellie Walker on "The Andy Griffith Show". Thursday brought two more successes. First in just two weeks we got both pictures back signed from Michael C. Hall. Super amazing success. He was in a play that ended on the 17th of January we took a shot and sent letter to the venue address on the 12th and never really expected anything to come back. We tried his agency address about two years ago and nothing so it was a great mail day to get these back. To finish off the day Mr. John Williams the legendary composer who created the music from so many great films we love sent us a signed cut index card in a top loader. We sent a blank autograph card but I guess he has these pre signed and ready to go and it took about a month and a half to get ours. Friday brought one reply a 25 day early birthday present for me. Winter wrote Orel Hershiser about two weeks ago and sent a ball for him to sign. He not only signed it but inscribed it to me with happy Bday and also included a 1988 Cy Young LA Dodgers inscription. Super amazing success from one of my favorite pitchers growing up. To finish out our week we got both pictures back signed from Wrestling legend Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. They both returned in just over two weeks. That's it for this week. Have a great weekend and ill be back next week with more TTM autograph collecting goodness.


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Sir George Martin
AIR Studios
Lyndhurst Hall
Lyndhurst Rd.
Hampstead
London NW3 5NG
UK
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Mike Eruzione
Boston University Athletic Development
599 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
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Elinor Donahue
78533 Sunrise Mountain View
Palm Desert, CA 92211
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Michael C. Hall
(Via Venue address no longer valid)
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John Williams
333 Loring Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
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Orel Hershiser
2167 Orchard Mist Street
Las Vegas, NV 89135
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Ricky Steamboat
114 Bellelaine Drive
Mooresville, NC 28115
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Friday, January 29, 2016

Cpt. Caveman's TTM autographs Friday Favorites



Hello and welcome to another Friday Favorites with a few of our favorite autographs from our collection. This week its an all astronaut / aviation favorites and as always if its a TTM favorite and the address is still valid ill add that to. Enjoy and ill be back tomorrow with this weeks TTM successes with new autographs and tested addresses.


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Buzz Aldrin
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Charles "Pete" Conrad
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Chuck Yeager
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John Glenn
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Eugene Kranz
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Charles E. McGee
5002 Elsmere Place
Bethesda, MD 20814-2826
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Roscoe Brown
4555 Henry Hudson Parkway
1405
Bronx, NY 10471
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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Cpt. Caveman's TTM autographs Mid week addresses



Welcome back for another Mid week TTM addresses. I hope everyone is having a great day. We've run across a few good addresses and a link to purchase Katey Sagal autographs this week. Remember we haven't tested these yet some we will others we wont but they are current working addresses or others have recently had success with them. Addresses can change at any time or people can stop signing so I never hesitate getting my requests out. There are never any guarantees in TTM autograph collecting sometimes you get lucky sometimes its a disappointment in the mail box but that's all part of the fun. It makes it so much better when all the hard work pays off with a success and remember things can change daily so it always pays to do your research.


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Katey Sagal (purchase $)
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Bobby Vinton
1118 Ledgestone Lane
Reeds Spring, MO 65737-9275
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Pete Best
Casbah Coffee Club Records
8 Haymans Green
West Derby Village
Liverpool L12 7JG
UK
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Scott Burrell
c/o Southern Connecticut State University Athletes
125 Wintergreen Ave.
New Haven, CT 06515
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Scott Arniel
c/o New York Rangers
2 Pennsylvania Plaza
14th Floor
New York, NY 10121
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Morgan Woodward
2111 Rockledge Rd.
Los Angeles, CA 90068-3135
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Herman Rarebell
(send SASE for 8x10 or large envelope with 5£)
100 Marine Parade, Flat 3
Brighton BN2 1AX
UK
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Oscar Isaac
Inspire Entertainment, LLC.
2332 Cotner Ave.
suite 302
Los Angeles, CA 90064
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Jaclyn Smith
10398 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
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Ed Asner
11802 Otsego St.
N. Hollywood, CA 91607-3223
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Saturday, January 23, 2016

Cpt. Caveman's TTM autographs #28



Hello and welcome back for another weekly TTM successes. Sadly we lost another music legend this week when Glenn Frey passed away at the age of 67. Frey was an amazing guitarist and founding member of The Eagles. This week I thought I would share some interesting news with everyone. Ling Ling Chang a Republican California Law maker has introduced legislation to try and help the autograph collectors and fans who want to purchase authentic autograph and not one of the many fakes you run across for sell. Assembly Bill 1570 will put safeguards in place to protect the buyers and hamper the dealers of fake autographs by requiring a COA at the time of purchase and by making the dealers liable in civil court you can read more about it HERE. Our TTM week started on Tuesday with two great returns. First with a fast 13 day wait for Mr. John Landis to sign and return our "Three Amigos" DVD cover and a picture from "An American Werewolf in London" super cool successes from a man that has made so many amazing films and lets not forget about his work on the Thriller Video. To finish off Tuesday we got both pictures we sent to Martin Mull back signed and only took him 24 days to return. That's it for this week unfortunately the Federal holiday this week means one less mail day and the winter storm that's hitting the east coast kinda made it hard to make it to the Post Office so I wasn't able to check Friday or Saturday's mail but they'll be there for next week's successes so enjoy and until then have a great graphing day and ill be back next week with more TTM autograph collecting goodness.



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John Landis
American Werewolf, Inc.
P.o. Box 16397
Beverly Hills, CA 90209
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Martin Mull
338 South Chadbourne Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90049-3709
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Friday, January 22, 2016

Cpt. Caveman's Friday Favorites




Welcome back for another Friday Favorites with some of our favorite autographs from our collection. This weeks an all music favorites and as always if its a TTM favorite and the address is still valid ill add that to so enjoy and ill see you back here tomorrow with this weeks TTM successes with new autographs and tested addresses.


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Glenn Danzig
Blackest of the Black, Inc.
P.o. Box 641634
Los Angeles, CA 90064
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Stevie Nicks
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Gordon Lightfoot
Early Morning Productions, Inc.
1365 Yonge Street
suite 207
Toronto, ON M4T 2P7
Canada
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Robbie Krieger
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Grace Slick
5956 Kanan Dume Rd.
Malibu, CA 90265-4027
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Blessid Union of Souls
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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Cpt. Caveman's TTM autographs mid week addresses




Hello and welcome back for another Mid week TTM addresses. I hope everyone is having a good graphing week and is ready for more TTM addresses to try. We haven't tested these yet some we will others we wont but they are current working addresses that we run across during our address hunting during the week. I'm also adding a couple Via Venue (VV) address that are time sensitive and ill have the date the plays end after the names. That's the last day of the show so send as quickly as possible. I'm not sure on the Willis autographs yet they could possibly be secretarial. So get writing and good luck I'll be back Friday with the favorites and Saturday with this weeks TTM successes with new autographs and tested addresses.



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Bruce Willis (VV-good until Feb. 14-2016)
"Misery"
Broadhurst Theatre
235 W. 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
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Billy Connolly (VV-good until Feb. 6-2016)
Eventim Apollo
45 Queen Caroline Street
Hammersmith
W69QH
UK
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 Mark Henn
Walt Disney Studios
500 S. Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
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John Lasell
1633 Hill Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90041-1442
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Michael Byrne
c/o Conway Von Gelder Grant Ltd.
3rd Floor
8-12 Broadwich Street
London W1F 8HW
UK
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Elinor Donahue
78533 Sunrise Mountain View
Palm Desert, CA 92211
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Tyne Daly
405 E. 54th Street
suite 12D
New York, NY 10022-5123
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William Daniels
12805 Hortense Street
Studio City, CA 91604
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Jeri Ryan
P.o. Box 260098
Encino, CA 91426-0098
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Stephen Furst
3900 Hunter Crest
Moorpark, CA 93021
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Saturday, January 16, 2016

Cpt. Caveman's TTM autographs #27



Welcome back to another weekly TTM successes. We lost another amazing actor this week when Alan Rickman passed away at the age of 69. My favorite movie he was in was Galaxy Quest but he was also in alot of great films including the Harry Potter movies, Robin Hood, and of course Die Hard. We also lost Dan Haggerty you might remember him from his 70's television show Grizzly Adams. Haggerty was 74. It looks like the holiday slump is finally coming to an end but first this week I thought I would talk a little about one of the most important steps in TTM autograph collecting. Research in my opinion is the first and most important step in autograph collecting. Either IP, TTM or even purchasing autographs from reputable dealers it all requires research. Comparing signature examples, researching celebs signing habits and address hunting. Does the celeb even sign autographs in person or TTM? Do they only sign one item per request or multiple items? Maby they only sign certain things like a book they wrote. Maby some send PP or autopen signatures and unless you are just a huge fan its a waist of time and stamps that all could have been avoided with a little research. For IP you need to research venue addresses and celeb appearances, concert dates or book signing's. There's always a graphing opportunity out there and it just takes a little work and research to be successful in one of the best hobbies out there. So have a great weekend and now on to this weeks successes. Monday brought two super cool returns. First in just around two months Angela Bassett signed and returned our American Horror Story Coven and Critters 4 DVD covers. So great to add her to our AHS collection. To finish off the day Tim "Ripper" Owens signed our two photos plus he sent us a signed sticker and six guitar picks and in only under a month to return. An amazing lead singer in some awesome bands like Judas Priest, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, Iced Earth and more along with his solo work. Thursday brought a few more replys. First Winter got a nice return from author Mary Higgins Clark. Winter sent a message on her contact page and in just under two months she got a signed book plate and a signed thank you card with a nice note. Next we got a super amazing reply from Joan Collins. We sent her two pictures from one of our favorite Star Trek episodes and she signed both and only took two months to return from the UK. To finish off the day we got both our pictures back signed from Alan Young. He signed our Mr. Ed and Ducktales photos and it only took eight days. You may know him from Mr. Ed but he also does the voice work for Scrooge McDuck. Friday brought one amazing and fast reply from Art Garfunkel. It only took nine days to return from this amazing musician. We only sent one photo and it did come back a little smudged sadly but I'm still happy with this great success but I might have to retry and just send a blank autograph card next time. To finish off this great week Saturday brought two disappointing fails. First a pre print success from Mark Hamill and then a return from Barbara Eden saying she's no longer signing but you can purchase from her website. Oh well the weeks successes definitely outweigh the failures so I'm still happy. That's it for this week. Ill be back next week with more TTM autograph collecting goodness so until then happy graphing everyone and remember just a little research will greatly increase your chances at success.


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Angela Bassett
The Gersh Agency, Inc.
9465 Wilshire Blvd
6th Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
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Tim "Ripper" Owens
Owens Travelers Tavern
2727 Manchester
Akron, OH 44319
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Mary Higgins Clark
(request on contact page)
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Joan Collins
Peter Charlesworth & Associates
67 Holland Park Mews
London W11 3SS
UK
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Alan Young
P.o. Box 14
Rimrock, AZ 86335
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Art Garfunkel
9 East 79th Street Ph14
New York, NY 10075-0183
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Mark Hamill (Sends Pre-Prints)
P.o. Box 287
Grand Blanc, MI 48480
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Barbara Eden-TTM rejection letter
(Can purchase autographs on her website $)
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Friday, January 15, 2016

Cpt. Caveman's TTM autographs Friday Favorites



Hello and welcome back for another Friday Favorites with a few of our favorite autographs from our collection. This week its an all golf favorites. Some are in person (IP) but if its a TTM favorite and the address is still valid ill add that also so enjoy and ill be back tomorrow with this weeks successes with all new autographs and tested addresses.


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Heath Slocum
(IP Tour used)
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Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer Enterprises
9000 Bay Hill Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819-4880
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John Daly (IP)
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Gary Player
Gary Player Group
635 Garden Market Drive
Travelers Rest, SC 29690-7111
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Lee Trevino (IP)
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Jack Nicklaus
Golden Bear International, Inc.
11780 US Hwy 1
suite 500
North Palm Beach, FL 33408-3007
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Will Wilcox (IP)
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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Cpt. Caveman's TTM autographs mid week addresses



Hello and welcome back for another mid week TTM addresses. I hope everyone is having a great day and is ready for some more TTM addresses to try out. Sadly this week we lost an amazing musician when David Bowie passed away at the age of 69. IV loved his music ever since I was a kid in the 70's and the world has truly lost a legend. So remember we haven't tested these addresses yet some we will but they are current working addresses so don't waste any time getting those letters out. Celebs can stop signing anytime and addresses can change so I never hesitate, when I find someone I want to try I get my letter in the mail ASAP. Good luck and happy graphing ill be back Friday with the favorites and Saturday with this weeks TTM successes with new autographs and tested addresses.


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Ethan Phillips
Essential Talent Management
7958 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
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Greg Grunberg
c/o Gobstopper Pictures
1925 Century Park East
suite 990
Los Angeles, CA 90067
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Ricky Steamboat
114 Bellelaine Drive
Mooresville, NC 28115
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Stephen Sondheim
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton, & Garrison,LLP
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
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Kim Novak
13777 Agate Rd.
Eagles Point, OR 97524
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Richard Linklater
Detour Film Production
1901 East 51st Street
Austin, TX 78723-3040
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Dave Keon
115 Blackenwood Drive
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
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DJ Qualls
Principato Young Entertainment
9465 Wilshire Blvd
suite 900
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
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Jeff Hardy
208 Boys Camp Road
Cameron, NC 28326
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Art Garfunkel
9 East 79th Street Ph. 14
New York, NY 10075-0183
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Saturday, January 9, 2016

Cpt. Caveman's TTM autographs #26

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Hello and welcome back to another weekly TTM successes with new autographs and tested addresses. I hope everyone had a good week and got some great autographs TTM. You may notice something extra this week. Its something I ran across and have heard about for a while now and I'm excited for a new Beetlejuice. Iv been reading that its supposed to be filming early this year so I'm ready to try some Via Venue requests when it does finally start. Anyways I just thought id share the poster because it kinda goes with this weeks first real success. So Now that the holidays are behind us and its a fresh new year the holiday slump should be coming to an end. I guess we even slack off a little on our letter writing during December with all the holiday stuff going on it cuts into our request writing time. Normally I personally send anywhere from 7-10 requests a week not including the ones my daughter sends. December usually we get about 3-5 out a week but now its getting back to the norm. I always say you gotta send em to get em lol so anyways on to this weeks successes. Monday brought a disappointing Pre Print success from Jack Nicholson. I guess PP is better than nothing but it still would have been really nice to get my Joker picture signed. Thursdays we got a super cool an fast reply from Alec Baldwin. We sent him our Beetlejuice DVD cover and it returned signed in just over a month even though he used a dead sharpie then signed again with a new sharpie I'm still happy and it was nice of him to take the time to fix it plus he's been in some amazing movies . "The Hunt for Red October", "The Departed" and lets not forget "30 Rock" such a great show. That's it this week. Have a great weekend and ill see you next week same graphing time same graphing channel lol.




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Alec Baldwin
c/o Alec Baldwin Foundation, Inc.
509 Madison Ave.
4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
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