Michael Ian Black Book Signing Tour

Michael Ian Black, star of “Ed”, comedian, screenwriter and director, will be signing copies of his new book My Custom Van...And 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays that Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face at the following locations:

7/15/08 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Warren Street. New York, NY.
7/16/08 12:30 PM at the Bryant Park Reading Room – Bryant Park. New York, NY.
7/18/08 7:00 PM at RJ Julia Booksellers - Boston Post Road. Madison, CT.
7/19/08 2:00 PM at Borders Books – Cranberry Highway. Wareham, MA.
7/21/08 Noon at Books-A-Million – South Clark Street. Chicago, IL.
7/22/08 6:00 PM at Third Place Books - Bothell Way NE. Lake Forest Park, WA.
7/23/08 7:00 PM at Book Passage - Tamal Vista Blvd. Corte Madera, CA.

This book will be released on July 15, 2008.

Michael Ian Black Book Signing Tour
Michael Ian Black Book Signing Tour

Book Signings & Events

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How Much Would You Pay?

So, how much would you pay for Barack Obama's and Hillary Clinton's autographs?

We have to say, we like the (admittedly fanciful) image. Barack Obama sits down at a small table, whips his checkbook out of his jacket pocket, fills out a check for $4,600 (with Michelle Obama smiling and nodding somewhere nearby) then hands it off to Hillary Clinton, who endorses it and passes it off to an aide for deposit.

But it got us wondering. Could that campaign contribution be worth more than the $4,600 Obama presumably scrawled out on the "amount" line? We doubt that Clinton personally endorsed the donation check Obama gave the campaign Thursday -- in fact, we doubt she even saw it -- but if she had, what would such an historic document be worth to collectors? A check signed by the nation's first bi-racial major party candidate endorsed by a woman who came within a hair of her own historic nomination?

We asked George Houle, of Los Angeles' Houle Rare Books and Autographs, who appraises and deals in historic documents and signatures. He said the value to collectors would be determined by whatever happens in November. "Autographs of politicians are not in much demand, until they get to the White House." Harry Truman checks, he said, can be had for $250 to $500. An Abraham Lincoln check "brings $7,500 and up. A check to his wife Mary and endorsed by her could bring double that amount."

Right now, Houle said, the canceled Obama contribution check would be worth $300 to $500 though "having her ... endorse it for deposit would add considerably to its value. But, should he get elected, the value could triple or quadruple."

Supply and demand comes into play too: "Ultimate value would depend on how many autographs of his come to the market," Houle said.

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Michael Caine: Hand and Footprint Ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

MICHAEL CAINE will be immortalized at one of Hollywood's most famous landmarks when he places his hands and feet in cement in the forecourt of the world-famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

WHO: MICHAEL CAINE, a two-time Oscar winner for HANNAH AND HER SISTERS and THE CIDER HOUSE RULES as well as being a six-time Oscar nominee. He has also starred in hit films as ALFIE, SLEUTH, EDUCATING RITA, THE QUIET AMERICAN and has had over 100 lead and supporting roles since 1956.

WHEN: Friday, July 11, 2009 at 11:30 AM

WHERE: Grauman's Chinese Theatre, 6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA

Michael Caine: Hand and Footprint Ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
Michael Caine: Hand and Footprint Ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

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Plaxico Burress Book Signings

Plaxico Burress, wide receiver for the New York Giants, will be signing copies of his new book Giant: The Road to the Super Bowl at the following locations:

7/7/08 6:00 PM at Bookends - East Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ.
7/8/08 7:00 PM at Bookmark Shoppe – 11th Avenue. Brooklyn, NY.
7/9/08 1:00 PM at Borders Books – Broadway. New York, NY.
7/9/08 7:00 PM at Book Revue - New York Avenue. Huntington, NY.
7/10/08 6:00 PM at Mendham Books – Mendham Village Shopping Center. Mendham, NJ.

This book will be released on July 1, 2008.

Plaxico Burress Book Signings
Plaxico Burress Book Signings

Book Signings & Events

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Fake Wrestler Sells $10 Autographs In Greensburg, Indiana

A man who claimed to be retired pro wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and charged fans $10 to sign autographs at a Wal-Mart is being sought on identity theft and fraud charges, police said.

Managers at the Wal-Mart in Greensburg became suspicious during the autograph session on Saturday and called police.

"After it had started, they suspected it to not be on the up and up," Police Chief Brian Heaton said.

By the time officers arrived, the man had left, but another person claiming to be his manager said store managers knew the man wasn't really Austin.

"He claims Wal-Mart knew he was a look-alike. However, they had no material stating he was a look alike nor did they say he was a look alike," Heaton said. "People thought they were getting the real deal."

The phony wrestler made off with an undetermined amount of money in the city about 40 miles southeast of Indianapolis. Heaton said investigators were working with World Wrestling Entertainment, which owns the rights to the name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

"They've had other instances of this happening," Heaton said.

Wal-Mart is cooperating with police in the investigation and had made refunds to some customers, company spokesman Phillip Keene said.

"We don't approve of our customers being solicited in our stores," Keene said.

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Jonathan Ogden Public Signing - Great Moments, Inc.

Jonathan Ogden
Baltimore Ravens

Tuesday
July 22, 2008
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Autographs
$35.00

Inscriptions
$15.00

Westminster Location

Great Moments, Inc.

Jonathan Ogden Public Signing
Jonathan Ogden Public Signing

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Kevin Remembers George Carlin

George Carlin . . . a comedy legend . . . left us yesterday. And . . . he loved to meet others.

Talking about signing autographs, he said, “I always do it. No matter what. Look, it’s 30 seconds out of my life. And now those people had a good experience. And the next time my name comes up, for the rest of their lives, they’ll say ‘Yeah, I met Carlin once. He was nice.’ I’d much rather that than a lifetime of ‘Yeah, I bought all that guy’s albums and then he wouldn’t even sign my hat. That guy was a jerk.’ Thirty seconds for a lifetime? I’ll do that every time.”

I met him two different times...the last time shown here in late 2004 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis. George gladly signed my photo from our previous encounter and posed for this photo (one of my favorite shots...George was looking extra cool that day with the shades and leather jacket). And then, while examinig my friend, Mark's, albums, uttered this infamous line in a way only he could do, "Just where the f*** do you get all these records in such pristine condition?"

Kevin...thanks again!

Editor note: Carlin had a reputation of arriving at a venue right before the show and would leave right after his set. But...I personally witnessed him sign for fans on his way in and on his way out as well as at other times when time permitted. He was old school and realized the fans were his meal ticket and legacy....Lon

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David Beckham...Autograph Collector

Soccer superstar DAVID BECKHAM doesn't mind signing autographs for his fans - because he still asks his sporting heroes for their signatures.

Beckham admits he is often inundated with autograph requests - and would never turn a fan away because of his own hobby of collecting signed items.

He says, "The whole experience of wanting someone's autograph is something special, especially when you're a little kid and you have heroes whom you look up to.

"I've been incredibly lucky - I've met so many great people like (Muhammad) Ali and (Michael) Jordan so that's quite a few autographs. I've got all that I'm proud of.

"Also when I was young I got one of my heroes' autographs, (British soccer star) Bryan Robson. So I was very lucky."

David Beckham Autograph Collector
David Beckham Autograph Collector

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Autograph Collection Set To Sell For £50,000

One of the world's greatest ever collections of autographs amassed over much of the last century is to sell for more than £50,000.

Tommy Scullion, a grocery deliveryman, spent more than half a century collecting 40,000 signatures from anyone who caught his eye as he scanned the newspapers and magazines.

They included Popes, presidents, royalty, criminals and Nobel prize winners as well as more obscure figures such as Kim Phuc, the iconic nine-year-old girl pictured running naked from a napalm attack in Vietnam.

His method was to write in beautiful calligraphy to those whose autographs he sought, use his charm to "stroke their egos" and wait for the reply.

So charming was Mr Scullion that after bumping into Grace Kelly and her husband Prince Rainier III of Monaco while on holiday he received a Christmas card from them each year.

Mr Scullion was one of ten children and spent his life in the family home in the northern Irish village of Broughshane in County Antrim.

A scratch golfer, he never married and spent his spare time travelling and writing to people of note.

After leaving school at 14 and teaching himself calligraphy, he averaged about 25 letters a week

The traitor Kim Philby replied from Russia, Pablo Picasso sent a dated autograph with an artistic flourish and the Kray twins sent a poem.

He received replies from terrorist Carlos the Jackal, OJ Simpson, and Pope John Paul II and his predecessor gave him their seal of approval as did Abba, Spanish dictator Francisco Franco and Martin Luther King.

The notorious murderer Charles Manson's autograph is in the collection alongside philosopher Albert Schweitzer, Robert Kennedy, T. S. Eliot and Edward Duke of Windsor.

He passed away in hospital aged 72 in 1996 and after his death autographs continued to turn up including that of South African president Thabo Mbeki.

He kept the collection in boxes and only made half-hearted attempts to catalogue them.

Now his family is putting them up for auction and they plan to use the money to erect a small museum in the village dedicated to his memory.

His brother Wilson said: "There were ten of us and he was the one who never left home and he worked as a grocery driver.

"He never drank or smoked and he knew everyone and enjoyed speaking to people and he would give out advice.

"He played golf off scatch and spent his money on travelling. He also read a great deal. He bought every magazine and newspaper.

"On Sundays when we'd be coming home from church, he'd buy every newspaper on the stand. Then he'd list people in them that he wanted to write to and then try and find addresses.

"He started writing to people when he left school at the age of 15 during the war.

"There are lots of generals and most are American because their coverage in magazines was much better.

"He taught himself calligraphy and that impressed people and he would flatter their egos. If you stroke someone's ego well enough it's amazing what you can get.

"He was also very persistent and would write over and over again to people. Some replied years after he had written to them."

Richard Davie, from International Autograph Auctions Ltd, is selling the 400 lots at the The Radisson Edwardian Hotel at Heathrow Airport on July 12.

He said: "It is a spectacular collection, one of the finest ever put together and it spans over 50 years."

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Jim Tressel Book Signing Tour

Jim Tressel, head football coach at Ohio State University, will be signing copies of his new book The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life at the following locations:

7/15/08 7:00 PM at Bookends - East Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ.
7/16/08 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – North High Street. Columbus, OH.
7/17/08 10:00 AM at Barnes & Noble – Boardman-Poland Road. Youngstown, OH.
7/17/08 7:00 PM at Borders Books – Detroit Road. Westlake, OH.
7/19/08 9:00 AM at Barnes & Noble – North Hill Road. Pickerington, OH.

This book will be released on July 15, 2008.

Jim Tressel Book Signings
Jim Tressel Book Signings

Book Signings & Events

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It's Summer Time! It's Concert Time!

Jimmy Buffett

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres

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Third-Party Authenticator Files $5M Lawsuit Against HBO

A Brooklyn handwriting expert who has authenticated almost 200,000 pieces of sports memorabilia - including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Cy Young autographs - is suing HBO and "Real Sports" host Bryant Gumbel for $5 million, claiming the show incorrectly tied him to a shady forgery ring.

"I had an excellent reputation, and, all of a sudden, I lost it all," said Donald Frangipani, an experienced forensic document expert.

His lawsuit, to be filed today in Manhattan federal court, blasts the HBO show for its "grossly irresponsible" and "biased" reporting in a "Real Sports" segment called "Forger's Paradise."

Frangipani was the "authenticator of choice" for the ring, viewers were told.

The HBO show incorrectly reported that Frangipani signed off on "thousands" of fakes for the ring, according to the complaint.

In reality, he looked at fewer than 500 items and declared about 60 as shams, the complaint says. He also contends that nothing he signed off on for the group was ever proved to be phony, because the crooks dealt with real memorabilia as well.

"Don is a victim here of the forgery ring," said his lawyer Salvatore Strazzullo. "HBO was reckless in their reporting. They did no due diligence."

Calls to HBO and Gumbel seeking comment were not returned.

Third-Party Authenticator Files $5M Lawsuit Against HBO
Third-Party Authenticator Files $5M Lawsuit Against HBO

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Chick Corea, Al Di Meola 'Return To Forever' and T.G.Sheppard

Our friend Kevin had success again this week:

It's Sunday evening and time to recap last week's two celeb encounters.

The jazz supergroup, Return to Forever, was in concert at the Fox Theater in St. Louis on Tuesday. The group, consisting of jazz legends Chick Corea, Al Di Meola, Stanley Clark, and Lenny White, made a quick exit to their tour bus following the show. Unfortunately, all the fans got was a wave. So, I decided to follow their bus to see where it stopped.

After a long trek through downtown St. Louis, the bus pulled into the new Four Seasons hotel near the riverfront. As the bus came to a halt, all four members exited the bus at the same time, so it was going to be a challenge to get them all to stop. I did good, obtaining autographs from Corea, Di Meola, and Clarke, and these photos with Corea, top, and Di Meola.

Last night, I made a quick 15 minute trip to Murrayville, Illinois, to get an autograph and photo with country artist T.G. Sheppard. T.G. was the special guest for the city's 150th anniversary celebration. He had an extensive merchandise table and was gladly signing photos, CDs, and t-shirts for fans.

Kevin...thanks again!

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Advertise Your Autograph Event / Book Signing For Free

Free Event Advertising

If you have an autograph event, book signing, convention, etc. scheduled in the near future, send us your artwork/copy and we'll post it here for free! Send all information to the following link Your event advertised for free!

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Gene Simmons Book Signings

Gene Simmons, rock legend from KISS and star of 'Family Jewels', will be signing copies of his new book Ladies of the Night: An Historical and Personal Perspective of the Oldest Profession at the following locations:

7/8/08 7:00 PM at Borders Books – Westwood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA.
7/11/08 12:30 PM at Barnes & Noble – Fifth Avenue. New York, NY.

This book will be released on July 1, 2008.

Gene Simmons Book Signings
Gene Simmons Book Signings

Book Signings & Events

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Nick Markakis Public Signing - Great Moments, Inc. - July 19th

Nick Markakis
Baltimore Orioles

Saturday, July 19, 2008
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

TIMONIUM LOCATION

Autograph Ticket - $35.00
(Flat item / Baseball)

Deluxe Autograph Ticket - $45.00
(Jersey / Bat)

GREAT MOMENTS, INC.

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Peter Mayhew Enjoys Signing For Fans and Talking 'Star Wars'

Playing the role of Chewbacca in "Star Wars" required many things of actor Peter Mayhew.

He had to sit in makeup chairs for countless hours. He had to stuff his 7-foot 3-inch frame into tight set spaces like the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon. He spent time visiting zoos to study animal movements he would later apply to Chewbacca.

One thing he didn't have to do was provide the famous moan/growl of the fictional Wookie.

"It was later added to the film," Mayhew said of Chewbacca's voice. "It was actually the sounds of a brown bear and a dog."

But that didn't mean Mayhew remained quiet in the Millennium Falcon while seated next to Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher).

"When we were filming, I'd have to make noises, which were taken out afterwards, in order to interact with the other actors," the 63-year-old said from his home in Texas.

"I knew my voice was never going to be used, so I'd have a bit of fun of it. With Carrie, Mark and Harrison around, that was never hard to do. I'd make weird high-pitched noises just to get a laugh out of them."

Mayhew is the man behind the mask, the actor who portrayed Chewbacca, a more than two-century-old Wookie from the tree-filled planet Kashyyyk, in four of the six "Star Wars" films. He'll attend an autograph session from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at Acme Comics & Collectibles, 1622 Pierce St.

While Mayhew doesn't own a Chewbacca costume, he was glad to put one on again a few years ago to reprise the role in "Revenge of the Sith."

"It's a mohair suit and totally flexible. The headpiece was a face costume, which means I used my own eyes, mouth and I could hear, unlike other characters like Vader or C-3P0. It was hot and humid, but it wasn't that bad."

It was on the "Sith" set Mayhew was given the respect due someone who had battled the dark side of the force in the '70s and '80s.

"Most of the actors were young when 'Star Wars' came out and were fans before they ever became actors," Mayhew said, referencing 'Sith' stars like Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor. "There was a little bit of an edge to it as you are their icon or hero, call it what you want. It was very, very flattering."

Mayhew feels lucky to have landed the role of Chewbacca in the epic sci-fi franchise. He admits it was luck that led him to acting.

Mayhew was working at a London hospital as a orderly in the mid-'70s when his feet were featured in a newspaper article about men with large ones. By chance, the photo was noticed by the producers of "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger." Mayhew was soon acting in a bit role alongside Jane Seymour.

Then, super producer George Lucas came calling. Mayhew jumped at the chance to act again, but he wasn't initially too impressed with the "Star Wars" production.

"Think about it. This was a B-movie with a budget of roughly $10 million, which is insignificant compared to most films. Who knew back in those days what that particular movie was going to do?

"It was a question of getting the special effects right. We never knew how good the special effects would be until we completed most of the main shoot. It was a surprise to everybody what George and his team were able to produce."

Mayhew actually wasn't the first choice to play Chewbacca. The offer first went out to David Prowse, who eventually opted to play the man inside the Darth Vader suit (James Earl Jones' voice was latter added).

Mayhew has struggled to find acting work outside of the "Star Wars" world, but he doesn't have to. Nowadays he travels the world with his wife attending sci-fi conventions, nearly 30 a year. He enjoys interacting with the rabid fans who clamor for his autograph.

And for the record, Mayhew doesn't believe in "The Force."

"I really don't. I believe that certain things will happen and it's up to the individual to rise up and take advantage."

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Rare Set of Beatles' Autographs Go Up For Auction

A rare set of authentic Beatles autographs – signed by the band when they played at the old ABC cinema in Northampton – is expected to fetch up to £2,000 at auction.

The Fab Four's signatures will go under the hammer at a specialist collectors' sale in Yorkshire next month.

The legends played two concerts at the old cinema, now run as the Jesus Centre, in March and November 1963.

The autographs were found in a 1964 copy of The ABC Film Annual, which was originally owned by Len Webster, who managed the ABC Cinema in Northampton in the 1960s.

He was known as "Uncle Len" and he organised many live shows at the cinema, as there was no other musical venue available in the town at that time.

Mr Webster gathered autographs and memorabilia from the many famous pop and rock stars of the 1960s who played live at the cinema, including The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Gene Pitney, Marianne Faithful and Cliff Richard.

The autographs have been authenticated by the UK's leading experts on Beatles memorabilia and are expected to sell for up to £2,000.

A second set of Beatles autographs is also included in the sale, having been found in a scrap book, and are set to fetch up to £1,000.

Nick Lambert, a collectables specialist for Tennants, which will host the sale in Leyburn on July 26, said: "It is very unusual to find two genuine sets of Beatles autographs in one sale.

There are many fakes on the market, which were signed by other members of the Beatles' entourage and road crew, such as their road manager and personal assistant Neil Aspinall, so to find two authentic sets is remarkable."

The sale also comprises other Beatles memorabilia, including more than 100 issues of The Beatles Monthly Magazine, starting with the first issue from 1963.

For more information, contact Nick Lambert at Tennants on 01969 623780, visit the website www.tennants.co.uk or email enquiry@tennants-ltd.co.uk

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Sale of John Lennon's 'Give Peace a Chance' Lyrics Helps Child War Victims

London handwritten lyrics to John Lennon's Give Peace a Chance are expected to fetch £300,000 at auction — with some of the proceeds going to a charity that helps children harmed by war.

Lennon scribbled the words during his “bed-in” with his wife, Yoko, in Montreal in 1969. The song was recorded at the end of the eight-day call for peace; now Gail Renard, who sneaked into the room at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, is selling the lyrics.

They are part of a rock and pop memorabilia sale at Christie's in London on July 10 that is expected to raise £1 million. A pair of Lennon's tinted glasses, is set to fetch up to £30,000.

Ms Renard, who was only 16 at the time of the bed-in, said: “I wanted to get John's message out again. He wrote this song about peace and that was important to him.

“I've had these lyrics for almost 40 years and I've been thinking it's a shame that no one else can see them.

“I don't know exactly what I am going to do with the money but I know I will give some to War Child because that seems very appropriate.”

Other Beatles items to go on sale include the bass drum skin seen on the Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover and a ticket stub from a Hamburg concert signed by all four Beatles. The drum skin is expected to fetch up to £150,000.

Auction John Lennon's Lyrics
Auction John Lennon's Lyrics

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Adrienne Barbeau Book Signings

Adrienne Barbeau, star of “Maude”, "Swamp Thing" and “Creepshow”, will be signing copies of her new book Vampyres of Hollywood at the following locations:

7/9/08 7:00 PM at Borders Books – Columbus Circle. New York, NY.
7/10/08 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – State Highway 35. Hollmdel, NJ.
7/16/08 7:30 PM at Barnes & Noble – Americana Way. Glendale, CA.
7/19/08 2:00 PM at Dark Delicacies - West Burbank. Burbank, CA.
7/23/08 7:00 PM at Book Soup - Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA.
8/4/08 7:00 PM at Powell’s Books - Cedar Hills Blvd. Beaverton, OR.
8/6/08 7:00 PM at Borders Books – Oakway Center. Eugene, OR.
8/9/08 2:00 PM at the San Mateo Library – East 3rd Avenue. San Mateo, CA.
8/10/08 3:00 PM at Books Inc - Stanford Shopping Center. Palo Alto, CA.
8/11/08 7:00 PM at Borders Books – Union Square. San Francisco, CA.
8/12/08 7:00 PM at Book Passage - Tamal Vista Blvd. Corte Madera, CA.
8/13/08 7:00 PM at Borders Books – Santana Row. San Jose, CA.

This book will be released on July 8, 2008.

Adrienne Barbeau Book Signing Tour
Adrienne Barbeau Book Signing Tour

Book Signings & Events

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Gene Roddenberry Tribute Unveiled

The small town of Vulcan, Alberta, Canada (the same one that is lobbying to get the Star Trek premiere in 2009) is holding its 15th annual Star Trek convention this weekend, and this time there is a special Roddenberry tribute, and a special Roddenberry guest. TrekMovie.com has details and exclusive images of the memorial below.

The town has created a permanent memorial to Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. His son, Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Jr., will be on hand to unveil this tribute. In a statement Rod said:

I very much appreciate this tribute to my father, who would be humbled by the continued popularity of Star Trek in big cities and small towns around the world," offered Roddenberry.

Gene Roddenberry Tribute Unveiled
Gene Roddenberry Tribute Unveiled

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Rove, McCain, and Obama Are Part of Wallace’s History In Pictures

From Washington Whispers: Fox News Sunday's Chris Wallace has a wonderful collection of political autographs, each with their own bit of news. Our Whisper below describes how he got into collecting them and shows you three examples of his best samples.

For some 772 days, Wallace noted that Sen. Barack Obama had refused to go on his show. When Obama finally did, he promised in his note to the Fox host that he'd be back before another 772 days pass.

John McCain has appeared at least three times and in this entry he messes up the spelling of interrogation and scratches it out with a funny note blaming a "staff error."

Former Bush adviser Karl Rove, now a Fox commentator, was initially wary of going on news shows but finally agreed to appear on Wallace's show. With his signature, he noted that he had fun and drew pictures of himself and Wallace.




Chris Wallace Political Autographs
Chris Wallace Political Autographs

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Steve Landesburg at the Alton Argosy Casino

Our friend Kevin was out and about in St.Louis:

Det. Sgt. Arthur Dietrich from the TV series Barney Miller was in the house Friday night at the Alton Argosy Casino. Steve Landesberg was on hand for the first of two nights of stand-up comedy at the Casino.

After a tip from a guard outside, we learned that Landesberg was dining inside the facility. We found the restaurant and waited until he finished his meal. Just before he arrived at the front door of the restaurant, he stopped and gladly signed two 8 x 10 photos and took this photograph. One of the photographs was from comedian Jonathan Winters' 80th birthday celebration. It was a photo he hadn't seen and he took a few minutes to recall the event for us.

Thanks Kevin!

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The End of Annual Tradition in Cooperstown

Sometime late Monday afternoon one of the grandest of baseball traditions will end, and the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres will be able to boast -- or lament -- that they played the final Hall of Fame Game.

Kristian Connolly still can't believe Major League Baseball is ending the lone exhibition game left on the schedule and one so closely linked to the game's beginnings.

So he's working to save it.

"I love my hometown, I love baseball, and this was a decision that was going to hurt both," said Connolly, 30, who grew up in Cooperstown and worked as an intern at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. "Simply throwing in the towel on a nearly 70-year-old tradition, rather than making it work -- in the interest of what is best for the sport -- should be embarrassing for those making that decision."

Soon after the decision was announced in late January, Connolly created the Web site www.savethe famegame.com. He has sent letters to commissioner Bud Selig, players' union leader Donald Fehr, major-leaguers from all 30 clubs, the owners and front-office leaders.

Connolly said he has received a supportive response from Philadelphia Phillies chairman Bill Giles and a letter from Dave Dombrowski, president, general manager and chief executive of the Detroit Tigers. Dombrowski's letter said the players' association "negotiated this change in [the] recent basic agreement settlement."

No active player has replied, but one Hall of Famer has voiced an opinion.

"It's all money, isn't it? I think it's a shame," said Bob Feller, 89. "It's an insult to the Hall of Fame and to the Hall of Famers. I just think that they should do it for the fans. What do they do for the fans, anyway? Take their money? Raise their prices?"

In a letter to Selig and Fehr, New York Congressman Maurice Hinchey wrote: "At a time when the reputation of professional baseball is in jeopardy due to the negative attention surrounding recent scandals, the last thing Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association should be doing is ending a tradition that everyone can rally around."

Selig responded in a letter to Hinchey, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and other members of Congress who have objected to the cancellation of the game.

"As you know, our teams play 162 games in 180 days," Selig wrote. "With interleague play and interdivision matchups, finding two teams that could be scheduled into Cooperstown during an off day has become exceedingly difficult."

How times have changed.

In 1941, National League President Ford Frick instructed the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians to play in a driving rain so thousands of fans in attendance would not go home disappointed. Two years later, because of the gas shortage during World War II, the Brooklyn Dodgers rode into Cooperstown on horseback.

From its inception in 1940 until 1978, the Hall of Fame Game was played the same day as the annual induction ceremony. The game was switched in 1979 to the day after the induction ceremony and remained a big hit, usually selling out within hours. Six years ago, it was moved to mid-June because of scheduling problems.

"It's not about the schedule," Connolly said. "Major League Baseball can schedule games in Japan, China, Mexico, Memphis, Orlando and Puerto Rico, so isn't it likely that they could find a way to hold a game in Cooperstown?"

Connolly, who works for a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., is making the trek home Monday. He'll march in the parade trying to spread his message, then watch the game from the backyard of his mother-in-law's house just beyond the fence in right-center. He'll have a banner with his Web address on the front and a message on the back asking for a moment of silence throughout the bottom half of the third inning.

"It's an appropriate way to sort of demonstrate that the decisions these people are making effectively silence or turn off fans from the game," Connolly said.

Baseball Hall Of Fame Game Tradition Ends
Baseball Hall Of Fame Game Tradition Ends

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Novelist Follett Breaks Record For Book Signing

British thriller-writer Ken Follett, Spain's most popular author, beat his own record by signing more than 2,000 copies of his latest work at Madrid's book fair, Spanish media said Sunday.

His newest novel "World Without End" has already sold 1.5 million copies since its launch at the end of 2007 in Spain, out of a total four million sold worldwide.

Follett said he is working on a new project, a trilogy entitled "The Century", which will begin with the Sarajevo shooting that set off World War I and will end with the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall, El Mundo newspaper said.

With 2,050 copies of his works signed in three and a half hours, Follett beat his previous record of 1,600 signatures signed in one sitting in Italy, according to the daily El Mundo.

The multi-millionaire author has written nearly 20 novels in as many years.

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DukeFest 2008 - Atlanta Motor Speedway - June 28-29

DukeFest 2008

June 28-29, 2008

at the Atlanta Motor Speedway - Atlanta, GA

Guests scheduled to appear include: Tom Wopat, John Schneider, Catherine Bach, James Best, Sonny Shrover, Ben Jones, Rick Hurst, Byron Cherry, Adam West, Lee Meriwether

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Remembering Bo Diddley

Bo Diddley passed away last Monday at the age of 79. The following interview took place in Omaha during a 1994 tour stop…

Ellas McDaniel sure does like pawn shops.

“I hunt down things people done usin’,” he says.

As we head down Dodge Street en route to a coffee shop, Ellas whips his head around as if he’s seen an accident. But it’s not a wreck that’s grabbed his attention - just a flashing neon sign, safely enmeshed in glass and iron bars. The “OPEN” sign beckons passersby.

“Is that a pawn shop? Are they open on Sunday out here?”

I make a u-turn and soon Ellas is browsing the shop. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and his wife of two years is extremely unhappy that her husband is on the road. Ellas walks right past the guitars and humidifiers and cordless screwdrivers, stopping in front of the jewelry case. He picks out a ring and asks the salesperson to see what kind of a deal he can get. He doesn’t give his real name, though.

“Tell your boss it’s for Bo Diddley…I’ve given him lots of good music over the years.”

He looks over and winks.

The owner of the pawn shop probably wasn’t born when Bo first laid down the tracks to such classics as “Who Do You Love?” and “I’m The Man,” and of course, the ditty he named after himself. Diddley is still recording and touring and is in Omaha for a show tonight.

“Being on the road in long stretches is no good for anybody, especially if you have a family,” he said. “Even single cats like being at their homes. Booking agencies back in the 50’s didn’t give a hoot about the artist-they’d keep him out on the road for six months at a time.”

Bo is calling the shots now, but it wasn’t always that way for the ex-cop from Chicago. He goes on the road when he wants or when the money is too good to pass up (i.e.: Japenese tours). He’s scheduled to play six dates in the next two months. The rest of the time is spent with his wife at their home in Gainesville, Florida. When he and the wife are quarreling, he loses himself in his workshop and builds guitars.

“I used to be threatened by the booking agencies. ‘Well, if you want a week off- we’re going to give you three weeks off’… that kind of bullshit, and I didn’t know any better. They had me scared,” he said. “I had to hang in there or I wouldn’t get any work, so I played the game as long as I could but then it dawned on me: ‘Hey, I’m the one playing the guitar!’”

The salesperson returns. They knock a hundred off the price and Bo is soon the proud new owner.

If the royalty checks came in like they were supposed to, he probably wouldn’t care how much the ring cost. There are recordings and videos that bear his name and the money is bypassing his ragged black wallet (held together by a rubber band) and going straight to the bootleggers. Old record companies who he has severed ties with still produce his creations and profit from them.

“I ain’t heard nothing from ‘em. I’m probably owed 300…maybe 400-thousand dollars. I ain’t seen a dime. Ain’t nobody give me shit,” Bo claims.

“I’m going to organize this amongst the entertainers,” he says. “There should be an organization you can go to so we don’t have to go through lawyers. Why should I give a lawyer 30 percent of what you get? The lawyer just gets all the information from me. Why can’t I speak for myself? It’s a scam. I’m not going to give a lawyer money for my shit.”

Bo sticks the ring in his pocket and beelines to the guitars. The man behind the counter with a cigarette dangling from his bottom lip instantly recognizes him.

“Hey Bo! Bo Diddley…hey, you ever meet Stevie Ray Vaughn? He was bad.”

“He’s alright,” Bo replies.

Another employee gets an autograph. He tells Bo that earlier in the week he had found one of his videotapes for sale in the store. We all scan the shelves for the tape. The elusive video is wedged between copies of China Syndrome and Richard Simmons: Sweatin’ to the Oldies.

When he looks at his airbrushed image on the cover Bo looks as if he’s been hit in the stomach. The tape is another bootleg. The same company has been producing unauthorized concert footage and every time Bo gets close to finding their offices they pack up and move. Maybe he needs a good attorney.

“Shit…the guys who owns this company ain’t even sent me a Christmas card.”

The used tape costs six bucks and Bo puts it on his credit card (the bootlegging company’s latest address is on the back on the carton) and we move on.

Although he has lost a considerable amount to the bootleggers, his income has been supplemented with commercial endorsements, including the “Dew It Vertical” spots for Mountain Dew and the Nike campaign he appeared in with Bo Jackson in 1989. “You Don’t Know Diddley” introduced Bo to a younger, shoe-buying, rap-loving audience.

As we slide into a booth at the Frontier Coffee Show (in the now defunct New Tower Inn) Bo whips out a little hand-held recorder and clicks it on. The half dozen patrons sipping on various beverages and eating griddle cakes all look over as his new song “Promises” abruptly fills the air. He looks up and earnestly announces that he’s got another hit as he points to the little machine making big noises, mostly distorted. The song goes on for a few minutes.

“You’re out on the streets with somebody else and now I’m outta here as fast as I can to find somebody I can put some trust in. Promises, oh promises you never keep…promises, oh promises you made a fool out of me…”

It’s an odd song. Part country, part rap-MC Hammer meets Travis Tritt. He starts playing a little air guitar and sings along, forgetting lyrics here and there.

An elderly woman next to us nibbles on a muffin and we watch her intently. It looks like a pretty good muffin. We sip coffee in silence. It’s getting close to show time and Bo needs to rest. Before leaving we listen to one more song. This one is called “Don’t Do It” and is an anti-drug song aimed at kids.

“Kids are goin’ off and they don’t know why they doing things,” Bo tells me as the coffee shop listens, too. “I think the laws gotta be changed. If you do the crime you gotta’ pay the time. I was brought up to respect my elders. Them buns back there is the highway to your brain. When your momma get on your butt and spank you for disobeying and talkin’ back, that’s good. Parents are supposed to instill this in their kids. My momma kicked my butt and I’m glad I got it. If I wouldn’t have got my butt kicked I wouldn’t be here talking to you.”

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Hill Harper Book Signing Tour

Hill Harper, one of the stars of “CSI:NY”, will be signing copies of his new book Letters To a Young Sister: DeFINE Your Destiny at the following locations:

6/19/08 7:00 PM at the Free Library of Philadelphia – Vine Street. Philadelphia, PA.
6/20/08 7:00 PM at Borders Books – East 53rd Street. Chicago, IL.
6/23/08 12:30 PM at Borders Books – Woodward Avenue. Detroit, MI.
6/24/08 2:00 PM at Borders Books – Mercury Drive. Dearborn, MI.

The book will be published on June 2008

Hill Harper Book Signing Tour
Hill Harper Book Signing Tour

Book Signings & Events

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Junior's Achievement Tinged By Controversy Over Ball

From Sports Illustrated:

When it comes to Ken Griffey Jr.'s 600th home run ball, "Joe'' still doesn't know what to do.

The man who caught the historic ball - identified only as a longtime Florida Marlins season-ticket holder named "Joe'' - has not decided between selling the ball or giving it back to Griffey, the Cincinnati Reds slugger who became the sixth player in history to reach the 600-homer plateau on Monday night.

Marlins president David Samson, who says he knows the ticket holder from various team events, met with the man Tuesday and will speak to him again in the coming days. Through the team, Joe has declined to reveal his full identity or release any personal details.

"I think he knows what all his options are, in terms of selling it, in terms of getting something else for it, in terms of a trade,'' Samson said. "There's all sorts of different options and I'm just going to try to do what's best for everybody.''

Griffey told the Marlins on Monday night that he would like the ball, and the Reds approached "Joe'' about whether the future Hall of Famer could obtain it. Their attempts were rebuffed.

But several Marlins hope that Griffey, at least one day, gets the chance to obtain the ball.

"Come on, this is a baseball,'' Florida outfielder Cody Ross said. "Just give it back to Griffey. I mean, geez. Give it to the Hall of Fame or something. Get an autograph from him or get to meet him. It's getting out of hand, I think. It's kind of bizarre to me that now they have to label the balls and stuff. They didn't do that stuff back in the day.''

Back in the day, it wouldn't have been worth big money, either.

David Kohler, president of SCP Auctions - who auctioned off several of Barry Bonds' historic home run balls last year, including No. 762 - which could be the last of Bonds' career - said Griffey's 600th could fetch at least $50,000 and perhaps up to $100,000 if put up for sale.

"Ken Griffey Jr. is very well thought of in baseball by a lot of fans,'' Kohler said. "His 500th ball was given back to him by the guy that caught it. But the 600th, he's only the sixth guy ever to do that, so he's in some big company there. I mean, 600's a big number.''

Hearing that the ball could command six figures caused Samson to raise his eyebrows.

"Anything is worth what someone will pay for it,'' Samson said.

Meanwhile, "Joe'' has already shown he's pretty good at making quick decisions.

Another man claimed that he caught the ball, only to have it ripped from his hands. But video evidence - supported by the Marlins - shows a man in a Florida jersey catching the ball, and Samson said it's clear that man is "Joe.''

Further, "Joe'' had another ball with him from batting practice, and pointed to that one underneath one of the seats in right field, sparking a scrum between people duped into believing that was the real No. 600. Instead, he had the 600th home run ball all along, and Major League Baseball authenticated that his indeed was the genuine article.

"Anybody who has any information to the contrary is misinformed and dishonest,'' Samson said.

The memorabilia buzz has been going on for years, yet some Marlins simply can't believe to what lengths people will go to get their piece of the game.

Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez - who said if he was "Joe,'' he'd give the ball back - still gets surprised when the team bus rolls into an out-of-town hotel at 2 a.m. and 10-15 people, including children, have camped out just to ask for autographs.

"It's amazing to me,'' Gonzalez said.

Autographs are one thing.

Used chewing gum is another.

Marlins outfielder Luis Gonzalez has one of baseball's all-time great memorabilia stories; a spring-training-game-used piece of his chewing gum was sold for $10,000 on eBay in 2002, a few months after he delivered the game-winning hit in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series for Arizona against the New York Yankees.

After going through that, nothing about the sale of a historic home run ball can surprise him.

"I've seen crazier stuff than this,'' he said.

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The Sweet Science of Memorabilia

From The Wall Street Journal:

World-class athletes descended on a small town in upstate New York for an elaborate Hall of Fame induction ceremony Sunday. But they were there to celebrate boxing, not baseball.

Canastota, N.Y., is where ring enthusiasts come to honor prizefighters past and present. Former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes's entry into the Hall of Fame represents this year's main event. A number of former greats were scheduled to appear, including Marvin Hagler, Gerry Cooney, Leon Spinks and Hector Camacho.

For sports collectors, induction weekends mark a good chance to gather autographs. The atmosphere is festive and former fighters are easily accessible.

Of course most boxing collectors are in it because they love the sport — not because they expect to get rich off their memorabilia. With a few exceptions, the market for boxing collectibles is small and highly specialized.

The champion of boxing collectibles is Muhammad Ali, to nobody's surprise. "People who generally don't collect boxing stuff may collect stuff from Muhammad Ali," says Dave Bergin, who sells boxing collectibles at pugilistica.com.

Ali-related items that commanded top dollar at Lelands Auctions in recent years include a red satin robe worn before his 1970 bout against Oscar Bonavena ($29,425); white leather Everlast size-13 shoes worn on May 16, 1975, when Mr. Ali defended his title against Ron Lyle ($9,623); and a one-page contract Mr. Ali signed in 1964, seven months after he won his first title from Sonny Liston ($6,266).

Beyond Mr. Ali, a more surprising name consistently draws top dollar at auction: John. L. Sullivan, the bare-knuckle fighter from the late 1800s. In 2005, a fight-worn belt and sash worn by Mr. Sullivan sold for $13,145 at Heritage Auctions. A full, unused ticket from a bout against James J. Corbett -- the first heavyweight championship to be fought with gloves -- sold for $2,151 in 2004.

Other collectors seek specialized collectibles from the early days of boxing. Rare collectibles from Jewish fighters Abe Attell, Barney Ross and Al "Bummy" Davis are highly sought after. Another niche is early memorabilia from black fighters, most notably Sam Langford and Jack Johnson.

Overall, the most popular artifacts include fight-worn gear and clothing, promotional posters, fight programs and tickets, Mr. Bergin says. Rare autographs are also highly collectible. A signature from Mr. Langford, who ended his career in 1926 because of failing eyesight, recently sold for between $7,000 and $8,000, Mr. Bergin says. Be sure to have autographs authenticated. There are countless rubber-stamped signatures of Mr. Sullivan out there, as well as Sugar Ray Robinson collectibles signed by the fighter's wife.

As with any sport, gear worn by the athlete in competition is highly valued. But in boxing, these items aren't as readily available. "Boxers are stripped down," Mr. Bergin notes. "They have their robes and their trunks, the wraps around their wrists, the gloves." These are certified by the athletic commission after a fight and secured by the promoter, "so you can generally have a good sense of where they came from," he adds. When these items come up for auction, they tend to get the most bids. "It's all the more personal if you have a bloody pair of hand wraps," Mr. Bergin says.

More obscure items are also available — Mike Tyson's bite guard or a cutman's kit, for example — but they're more difficult to authenticate, Mr. Bergin says.

And what about Larry Holmes, the Hall of Fame's newest inductee?

Mr. Holmes "is still a bit of a tough sell" in the collectibles world, says Mr. Bergin. "Holmes is an unappreciated fighter," Bergin explains. "He came right after Muhammad Ali, so that hurt him a bit. He doesn't have the charisma of Ali either."

Just last year, however, a robe worn by Mr. Holmes before he fought Mike Tyson in 1988 sold at Lelands Auctions for just under $5,000. (Mr. Holmes signed the robe sometime after he woke up from a TKO in four rounds against Mr. Tyson, the defending champion.) But most Holmes-related collectibles sell for far less.

Boxing Memorabilia Autographs
Boxing Memorabilia Autographs

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Father's Day Countdown!

We offer USPS Express shipping as well as free domestic USPS Priority shipping. Go to Strickler's Celebrity Autographs or call 410-241-5974



Strickler's Celebrity Autographs
Strickler's Celebrity Autographs

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Earl Weaver, George Sherrill Signings at Great Moments, Inc.

George Sherrill

Baltimore Orioles

Saturday June 14, 2008

11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Autographs - $15.00

Timonium Location

___________

Earl Weaver

MLB Hall of Famer

Saturday June 14, 2008

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Autographs - $35.00

White Marsh Location

GREAT MOMENTS, INC.

Great Moments Earl Weaver George Sherrill Signing
Great Moments Earl Weaver George Sherrill Signing

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A Hot Time at Country Music's Fan Festival

Tens of thousands of country music lovers braved Nashville's 90-degree heat for the CMA Music Festival, which ended Sunday. Begun in 1972 as a way for country singers to interact with fans, the festival has grown into an extravaganza. USA TODAY checked it out.

A good day for Rich

Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam has become one of the festival's unofficial kickoff events. Wednesday's jam, which lasted until nearly dawn, featured performances from Charlie Daniels, Gretchen Wilson, Kathy Mattea and Big & Rich's John Rich. "I recorded with Kenny Rogers today, then I wound up getting drunk with Mel Tillis," Rich said backstage. "So it's been a pretty good (expletive) day."

Underwood's closest pals

Carrie Underwood tried to balance fan intimacy and access at the festival by hosting a large fan-club party at the Grand Ole Opry House Tuesday morning. "We could either keep it really, really small so I could get to meet everybody, or we could open it up," Underwood said. "I always think bigger is better, so that's what we did." Underwood's decision came with a price — in the days leading up to the event, she signed 1,200 party favors to give to attendees.

The three amigos

Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler and Julianne Hough will host the TV special CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock (Sept. 8, ABC, 9 ET), so they appeared at all four nightly concerts at LP Field, the stadium where the Tennessee Titans play. Swift, 18, noted that Pickler and Hough came from American Idol and Dancing With the Stars, respectively, and quipped, "I wouldn't have any friends if it weren't for reality TV."

Sugarland has a ball

Several concertgoers brought beach balls to bat around LP Field during the nightly shows. Sugarland went them one better, opening its Thursday set by crowd-surfing inside giant, inflatable "hamster balls." "It was a little nod to the Flaming Lips," said the duo's Kristian Bush, referring to that band's elaborate concerts.

Jackson's worth the wait

For the first time in at least 10 years, Alan Jackson signed autographs at the festival. Anna Woodall, 73, waited seven hours in line Friday on the off chance that Jackson would finish with the 200 people in front of her before the two hours he'd allotted was over. When Woodall's turn came, "I walked up to him and said, 'I've been trying to meet you since 1997,' " the Tampa resident said. "He just grinned. He's bashful."

Urban gets generous

Faith Hill gave her first CMA Music Festival performance in 10 years Friday night, and Keith Urban made an unannounced but widely rumored appearance. Urban thanked fans for paying "the most outrageous amount of money per gallon for gas," then added, "We're going to give you a show worth seven bucks a gallon." As Urban performed his new single, You Look Good in My Shirt, he jumped into the audience, signed his electric guitar and then gave it away to a lucky fan.

Sweet, sour and Swift

Swift signed autographs for nearly eight straight hours on Saturday. She ran through three new Sharpie markers during the signing session, which was the longest since Garth Brooks' 23-hour marathon in 1996. As soon as Swift finished greeting the last of nearly 900 admirers — each of whom received a signature and a tissue flower used as a prop in her Our Songvideo — she popped open a bag of Sour Patch Kids candy.

Making Buck proud

The CMA Music Festival has changed dramatically in the 20 years since Dwight Yoakam last appeared here. For one thing, it used to be called Fan Fair. "Fan Fair's a completely different animal" now, said Yoakam, who last played the event in 1988, when it still was held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Yoakam's Sunday set included material from his recent album honoring the late country great Buck Owens, titled Dwight Sings Buck. After seeing the thousands of people at the stadium, Yoakam said, "I thought Buck would have been stunned and enthusiastically elated at the response that was being shown to country music."

Country Music's Fan Festival
Country Music's Fan Festival

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Rush Rocker Geddy Lee Donates Autographed Baseballs to Negro League Baseball Museum

A Canadian punk rocker with shoulder-length hair dressed in a brown leather jacket with sunglasses stood in the middle of the Coors Field of Legends next to boxes full of more than 200 autographed baseballs.

Bob Kendrick stated the obvious about what seemed like a strange situation.

"It probably surprised a lot of folks that a white, Canadian rock star would have this wonderful collection of Negro Leagues stuff to make available to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum," said Kendrick, director of marketing for the museum.

Geddy Lee of the group Rush is that Canadian rocker. He formally donated his collection of autographed baseballs to the Negro Leagues Museum on Friday.

"To me," Kendrick said, "it means even more because of where it's coming from. If Geddy can come here and do this, then other people are going to think, 'I can come here.'"

Lee's a self-professed baseball lover, and has been since he was a kid. As his fame in the music world grew, Rush could start collecting baseball memorabilia. During the past 20 years, he's bought his fair share of balls. His favorite is one that's autographed by Christy Mathewson. He also has one that John F. Kennedy threw out for the first pitch of the 1961 baseball season.

About a year ago, on that same Field of Legends, Lee got the motivation to start a greater collection. He saw the statues of Satchel Paige and Cool Papa Bell. He read all the exhibits about the teams and the stories about the players' lives.

"I was just so impressed and so emotional about the stories this museum tells," Lee said, "and it just stayed with me. I thought so many baseball fans around the country had no idea how incredible this place was."

Soon after his visit, he learned that a collection of autographed baseballs from Negro Leagues players was available. He purchased them immediately with the intent of donating them to the museum.

Kendrick got the phone call from Lee a few weeks ago. He and curator Ray Doswell couldn't believe the size of the collection and some of the names. Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Josh Gibson are among the autographs, along with lesser-known players like Ike Brown.

"It's a great problem to have," Kendrick said. "It challenges us to tell some new stories and more obscure ones."

They still aren't sure how they're going to give all the baseballs a proper display.

They'll decide that later. Now, Kendrick is hoping that this will bring a larger and different audience, one that can learn the true story of the Negro Leagues just like Lee did.

"When you think about how individuals were unfairly portrayed as tramps, vagabonds and drifters," Kendrick said about Negro League players, "it gives us a chance to develop the truth in place of those stereotypes. These were great men and women."

Geddy Lee Donates Signed Baseball Collection
Geddy Lee Donates Signed Baseball Collection

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Grant and Sherman Autographs Part of Unique Civil War Era Collection; Auction of Autograph Book Featuring 19th Century Luminaries

The bold autographs of the bold men caught up in America's most turbulent era leap from the pages of an autograph book assembled at the time. The autographs were compiled by Joseph Richards. Little is known about Richards except he was a Union soldier from Wisconsin. His collection was passed down through his descendants until 1992 when it sold at auction. The current owner of the book is again offering it for sale through Hall's Auction Company of Paris, Illinois via a timed auction to starting June 12 For details visit their website Halls Auction Company

The bold autographs of the bold men caught up in America's most turbulent era leap from the pages of an autograph book assembled at the time.

Standing in mute testimony, these autographs are a direct link to the great historical events these men not only witnessed but helped shape. Those who understand how the Civil War changed the United States will be amazed at the depth of this collection.

The autographs were compiled by Joseph Richards. Little is known about Richards except he was a Union soldier from Wisconsin. His collection was passed down through his descendants until 1992 when it sold at auction.

The current owner of the book is again offering it for sale through Hall's Auction Company of Paris, Illinois via a timed auction to starting June 12. For details visit their website www.hallsauctioncompany.com.

Joseph Richards lived during a period of political upheaval. The largely unexplored trans-Mississippi west held great promise for expansion and settlement but the political question for the nation was if the eventual new states would come into the Union as free or slave states.

It was a deeply divisive issue that pitted northern and southern interests. While some sought compromise to move the nation's business forward, others were adamant in their position to either expand slavery or to contain it where it already existed.

A section of Richards' book is devoted to the 35th Congress and the signatures appearing in this portion are from the men who heard these debates on the Senate floor and discussed the issues with their fellow politicians in the hallways and offices of the Capitol.

A small listing of the political signatures includes: Illinois Senator Stephen A. Douglas, a strong advocate for compromise; Illinois Senator Lyman Trumbull, a staunch abolitionist; Alabama Senator Benjamin Fitzpatrick, a voice for the state's rights position; Mississippi Senator Albert Gallatin Brown, another state's rights advocate; and Kentucky Senator John Crittendon, a Union Democrat.

The 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln brought the issue to a full boil and prompted the southern states to secede from the Union -- an action Lincoln, declared illegal. Hope for a peaceful solution to the impasse disappeared in a billowing cloud of gun smoke when South Carolina forces started the cannonade of Ft. Sumpter in Charleston Harbor.

The autograph of Robert Anderson, Ft. Sumpter's commander is part of Richards' collection.

Civil war was upon the nation and both sides raised troops for what many mistakenly believed would be a short conflict. The autograph of Winfield Scott is in the collection. Scott, a septuagenarian and hero of the 1848 War with Mexico, commanded the Union Army at the onset of the Civil War, but he soon proved incapable of the burden, and Lincoln went through a series of commanders until he finally made Ulysses S. Grant, General of the Armies.

Grant's signature is in the book and so is the signature of his immediate predecessor as commander, Henry Wager Halleck.

The 90-day war predicted at the start of hostilities dragged into four years of the deadliest fighting in U.S. history. The autographs of Union generals such as L. Fitzjohn Porter, W.S. Rosecrans, Thomas Francis Meagher and Benjamin Butler invoke the creaking harness leather, thundering hoofs and lumbering wagon wheels as Northern forces moved against their rebel counterparts. Soldiers dressed in the woolen blue uniforms endured the heat and cold, walked through thick clouds of dust or slogged through deep mud on dirt roads carrying their heavy, muzzle-loading 50-caliber Springfields. They hastily making earthen breastworks, fought and died for their cause -- all on a diet consisting too often of rancid salt pork and wormy hard tack.

General William Tecumseh Sherman's signature represents a change in military thinking. During the early stages of the war, the rules of engagement meant large armies maneuvering in the field against other large armies, with minimal damage to the civilian population. Sherman realized the civilian infrastructure made it possible for an army to fight. His burning of Atlanta, followed by the March to the Sea, created the concept of total war by making civilians legitimate military targets.

Richards' autograph collecting was not confined to the Union side. Among the notable Confederate signatures are Generals William Smith, Humphrey Marshall, Lawrence O'Bryan Branch and John Bullock Clark Jr. C.S.A. cabinet members included in the book are Judah P. Benjamin, John Henninger Reagan and Robert M. T. Hunter. Another Confederate notable who signed is John Slidell, whose seizure by the U.S. Navy from a British ship provoked an international crisis.

The book also includes the signatures of prominent men in Lincoln's government: Hannibal Hamlin, vice president during Lincoln's first term; William H. Seward, Secretary of State and Andrew Johnson, who became president upon Lincoln's assassination.

Baseball fans will appreciate the signature of General Abner Doubleday, and the flamboyant signature of Sam Houston attests to the vital role he played in Texas history.

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Barenaked Ladies Performance and CD Signings

Barenaked Ladies, pop/rock stars, performing & signing copies of Snacktime at the following locations:

6/11/08 3:30 PM at Barnes & Noble – Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA.
6/12/08 3:30 PM at Barnes & Noble – West Hillsdale Blvd. San Mateo, CA.
6/14/08 11:00 AM at Barnes & Noble – Pearl Street. Boulder, CO.

Barenaked Ladies Performance CD Signings
Barenaked Ladies Performance CD Signings

Book Signings & Events

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SportsFest 2008

SportsFest 2008 kicks off its three-day run in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg this Friday, and show officials are confident the event will be a success in spite of today’s challenging show environment. The Chicago Bears Expo is also being held this weekend at Soldier Field, but SportsFest officials have designed a way for fans to experience the best of both worlds by offering a reciprocal program in which people who attend the Expo can present their ticket stubs at SportsFest and buy one admission and receive the second ticket free of charge.

Upper Deck is offering a redemption card program at the show. The base set includes Ken Griffey Jr., Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, Patrick Kane, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Brian Urlacher, Jonathan Toews, Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter, Devin Hester, LeBron James and Sidney Crosby. The autographed UD Signings cards include Derek Jeter, Jonathan Toews, Kobe Bryant, Ken Griffey Jr., LeBron James, LaDainian Tomlinson, Michael Jordan, Mike Singletary, Patrick Kane, Peyton Manning, Sidney Crosby and Tom Brady.

SportsFest is also bringing back “What’s it Worth Day,” taking place 1-5 p.m. on Saturday. Bob Lemke, former editor of The Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards, and SCD’s Chris Nerat will give free card and memorabilia appraisals.

Mounted Memories is handling the autograph lineup for the show. More than 35 autograph guests will be on hand. Chicago-area autograph guests include Mike Singletary, Paul Konerko, Ron Kittle, Jermaine Dye, Nick Swisher, Buddy Ryan and others, in addition to Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez of the Big Red Machine.

Friday (June 6) Autograph Guests:

Bill Madlock - 5-8 pm, $15
Bert Campaneris - 5-8 pm, $15
Robin Roberts - 6-7 pm, $39 flats/balls, $79 bats/jerseys
Ron Kittle - 6-8 pm, $15
Lee Smith - 6-8 pm, $15

Saturday (June 7) Autograph Guests:

Paul Konerko - 11 am-1 pm, $79
Nick Swisher - 11 am-1 pm, $29 flats/balls, $49 bats/jerseys
Jermaine Dye - 11 am-1 pm, $79
Jo Jo White - 12-1:30 pm, $15
Orlando Cepeda - 12-1:30 pm, $39 flats/balls, $69 bats/jerseys
Robin Roberts - 12-1:30 pm, $39 flats/balls, $79 bats/jerseys
Ron Kittle - 12:30-2 pm, $15
Bob Dernier - 12:30-3 pm, $15
John Havlicek - 1-2:30 pm, $89 8x10s, $109 16x20s/minis, $169 basketballs
Al Oliver - 1-2:30 pm, $15
Lamar Hoyt - 1-2:30 pm, $15
Bill Madlock - 1-4pm, $15
Denny McLain - 2-4 pm, $25
Buddy Ryan - TBD, $39
Mike Singletary - TBD, $59 photos, $69 minis/footballs, $79 helmets/jerseys/art

Saturday (June 8) Autograph Guests:

Paul Krause - 11:30 am-1 pm, $15
Randy Gradishar - 11:30 am-1 pm, $15
Jim Langer - 12-1:30 pm, $15
Billy Sims - 12-2 pm, $15
Chuck Foreman - 12:30-2 pm, $15
Darrell Evans - 1-3:30 pm, $15
Craig Morton - 1-3:30 pm, $15
Al Hrabosky - 1-3:30 pm, $15
Joe Pepitone - 1-3:30 pm, $15
Vida Blue - 1:30-3 pm, $29
Denny McLain, TBD, $25

Cincinnati Reds Big Red Machine Autographs:
Saturday, June 7:

Joe Morgan - 1-2:30 pm, $49 flats/balls, $159 bats/jerseys, HOF Inscription free, $25 other inscriptions

Sunday, June 8:

Pete Rose - 12-1:30 pm, $69 flats/balls, $99 bats/jerseys
Tony Perez - 12:30-2 pm, $79 flats (up to 11x14)/balls, $89 16x20s, $99 bats/jerseys, $20 inscriptions
Johnny Bench - 1-2:30 pm, $79 flats/balls, $149 bats/jerseys, HOF inscription free, $25 other inscriptions

SportsFest 2008
SportsFest 2008

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Ben Jones Book Signing Tour

Ben Jones, former U.S. Congressman and star on “The Dukes of Hazzard”, will be signing copies of his new book Redneck Boy In the Promised Land: The Confessions of "Crazy Cooter" at the following locations:

6/5/08 7:00 PM at Olsson’s Books - 19th Street NW. Washington DC.
6/10/08 7:00 PM at Davis-Kidd Booksellers - Green Hills Village Drive. Nashville, TN.
6/12/08 6:00 PM at Davis-Kidd Booksellers - Perkins Extended. Memphis, TN.
6/17/08 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Rittenberg Blvd. Charleston, SC.
6/18/08 7:00 PM at Regulator Bookshop - Ninth Street. Durham, NC.
6/20/08 7:00 PM at Quail Ridge Books - Wade Avenue. Raleigh, NC.
6/24/08 7:00 PM at Alabama Booksmith - 19th Place South. Birmingham, AL.
6/26/08 7:00 PM at Manuel’s Tavern – North Highland Avenue NE. Books sold by A Cappella Books. Atlanta, GA.
7/5/08 7:00 PM at the Middleton Inn – Main Street. Washington, VA.
7/10/08 7:00 PM at the McIntyre’s Fine Books – Fearrington Village. Pittsboro, NC.
7/15/08 7:00 PM at Prince Bookstore – East Main Street. Norfolk, VA.
7/17/08 6:30 PM at the Fountain Bookstore – East Cary Street. Richmond, VA.
7/24/08 7:00 PM at Joseph-Beth Booksellers - East Carson Street. Pittsburgh, PA.
7/31/08 7:00 PM at Borders Books – Shelbyville Road. Louisville, KY.

The book will be published on June 5, 2008

Ben Jones Book Signing Tour
Ben Jones Book Signing Tour

Book Signings & Events

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Spink Smythe’s First Autograph Auction

Manhattan, New York – June 3, 2008 - On Wednesday, June 17, Spink Smythe will hold its first Autograph Auction, bringing the finest in historical autographs to a truly international market after the acquisition of RM Smythe by Spink this past March. Smythe has long enjoyed a reputation for quality, service, and integrity as an auctioneer of autographs, Americana, and other collectibles, characteristics that have been associated with Spink, headquartered in London, for over 300 years.

In keeping with its international scope, Spink Smythe’s auction features an unmatched collection of letters of state signed by world royalty and heads of state from the 19th to the 21st century. Letters of state are among the most desired documents because of their importance and rarity on the market. This collection includes, among many others, letters from Fidel Castro of Cuba; Nicholas II of Russia; England’s Victoria I (announcing the birth of her son, Prince Arthur, later Duke of Connaught); Edward VIII of England (a rare document from his single year as king!); Chulalongkorn of Siam (plus a letter from his successor, Vajiravudh, announcing his succession on Chulalongkorn’s death); Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary; Karl I of Austria-Hungary, announcing Franz Joseph’s death; Japanese emperors from Mutsuhito to Akihito; Wilhelm II of Germany; and scores more. Another rare world leader present is Josef Stalin, who is present in the form of a typed order signed during the Battle of Moscow in which the Soviet leader reorganizes the command structure of tank divisions!

Also offered will be a choice selection of artists’ letters from such immortals as Monet, Manet, Whistler, Picasso, Matisse, and Braque. Each is framed with a print of one of the artist’s works. Included in the collection are original signed drawings by novelist Robert Louis Stevenson, cartoonist Thomas Nast, and illustrator Charles Dana Gibson.

Spink Smythe will also continue to offer the best in American autographs. One of the most important items in the sale is a lengthy autograph letter from 1772 signed twice in the body by George Washington with his full name, “Colo. George Washington,” a rare form for him. The historic letter lists all the volunteers who served with him on his first independent command, when he led the so-called Virginia Regiment into French territory and touched off the American theater of the French and Indian War! Washington records a council resolution favoring the payment to the volunteers of a land bounty promised to them by the province of Virginia. The letter is estimated at $30,000-40,000.

Other founders present in the sale include Signers of the Declaration Thomas Jefferson, William Ellery, Elbridge Gerry, John Hart, Francis Hopkinson, Thomas McKean (also signed by Declaration engrosser Timothy Matlack!), Robert Morris, George Ross, and James Wilson. Leading advocates of the US Constitution Alexander Hamilton (ordering supplies to put down the Whiskey Rebellion!) and James Madison are represented, as is Hamilton’s fatal rival, Aaron Burr. From the revolutionary era are also King George III, Lord North, General Charles Cornwallis, early English supporter of the colonies Edmund Burke, and Admiral Samuel Hood.

Continuing in its tradition as the top source of financial collectibles, Spink Smythe’s autograph sale features rarities from history’s great industrialists and financiers. A mortgage document from 1868 bears the oldest autograph of John D. Rockefeller that we have seen, and is estimated at $3000-4000. The sale also includes stocks signed by Henry Flagler, J. P. Morgan, Collis P. Hungington and Leland Stanford, as well as a letter signed by Morgan, Jacob Schiff, and educator Nicholas Murray Butler, sending an invitation to a lecture on Russian famine relief. One rare stock certificate is signed by Confederate hero Nathan Bedford Forrest, and is estimated at $2000-3000. The sale also includes scarce early autograph documents signed by Cornelius Vanderbilt and by John Jacob Astor.

This auction also boasts several rarities in the category of science, medicine, and invention. In addition to inventors like Edison, Steinmetz, Wright, and De Forest, there is a scarce autograph letter from Samuel Hahnemann, father of homeopathy, asking a colleague to help foster the “benign cause;” an autograph letter by Michael Faraday while working for the Royal Institution; and a letter from the father of the computer, Charles Babbage, on the rules of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. One extremely desirable piece is a large photograph signed by Sigmund Freud in 1925, the largest and boldest signature on a signed image of his that we have seen.

In addition to these highlights will be the usual quality assortment of artists, writers, composers, military and political leaders, great thinkers, and performers that have long been associated with Smythe’s auctions, and will continue to be so now that it is part of Spink. The auction will begin at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 18 at Spink’s Shreve’s Galleries, at 145 W. 57th Street, 18th Floor, in Manhattan. Prospective bidders can arrange to lot view or participate in the sale by calling Spink Smythe at 800-622-1880.

Accredited media interested in scheduling an interview to discuss this release or past or upcoming auctions are encouraged to contact Mary Herzog at 212-943-1880

About Spink Smythe
Established in 1880, Spink Smythe buys, sells, and auctions coins, paper money, stocks and bonds and autographs. To order a catalog or to contact any of the firm’s specialists, or to make general inquiries, call 212-943-1880 or 800-622-1880, or visit the firm’s website at: http://www.smytheonline.com.

Contact:
Mary Herzog
Spink Smythe
2 Rector Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10006-1844
Phone: 212.943.1880
Fax: 212.312.6370

Spink Smythe’s First Autograph Auction
Spink Smythe’s First Autograph Auction

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Collecting Free World Team Tennis Autographs By Mail

Each year, twelve teams compete in the World Team Tennis (WTT) Pro League and are comprised of some of the sport’s top athletes. The season runs for three weeks during summer and attracts over 150,000 fans annually.

If you would like to request a signed photo from any of the players, you may do so by writing in care of their World Team Tennis team. When preparing your request, always handwrite a brief letter and be complimentary to the addressee. A SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) will help to increase your chances of receiving a response and, if requesting a signed photo, a 9x12 envelope would be ideal. The best way to prepare an autograph request is to fold the 9x12 SASE, with postage affixed, three ways and place it inside of a #10 business sized envelope. Be sure to place your letter inside, as well. Address the #10 envelope to the proper athlete in care of his/her World Team Tennis team and take it to the post office for mailing.

Below is a list of the current twelve teams and rosters, which can be used for the purpose of fan mail. While there is no guarantee of receiving a response, following the above guidelines and using the correct mailing address will help to increase your chances of building an autograph collection from some of the top superstars of tennis.

Team Name: Boston Lobsters
Address: P.O. Box 381985, Cambridge, MA 01238-1985
Roster:
Thomas Blake
Amir Hadad
Todd Martin
Martina Navratilova
Andy Perianu
Nicole Pratt
Kristen Schlukebir

Team Name: Delaware Smash
Address: 1007 Market St., DuPont Building D-1083, Wilmington, DE 19898
Roster:
Tres Davis
Angela Haynes
Liezel Huber
Eric Nunez

Team Name: Hartford FoxForce
Address: 21 Waterville Road, Avon, CT 06001
Roster:
Goran Dragicevic
Lisa McShea
Meghann Shaughnessy
Abigail Spears
Glenn Weiner

Team Name: New York Buzz
Address: Parks/Tennis, c/o City Hall, 105 Jay Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
Roster:
Viktoriya Kutuzova
K.C. Corkery
Scott Lipsky
Julie Ditty

Team Name: New York Sportimes
Address: c/o Sportime at Harbor Island, P.O. Box 783, Mamaroneck, NY 10543
Roster:
Alex Bogomolov Jr.
John McEnroe
Ashley Harkleroad
Martina Hingis
David Martin
Vladka Uhlirova

Team Name: Philadelphia Freedoms
Address: 1007 Market St., DuPont Building D-1083, Wilmington, DE 19898
Roster:
Casey Dellacqua
Freddy Neimeyer
Daniel Nestor
Lisa Raymond
Chanda Rubin
Rennae Stubbs
Jim Thomas
Venus Williams

Team Name: Houston Wranglers
Address: c/o Westside Tennis Club, 1200 Wilcrest Drive, Houston, TX 77042
Roster:
Mardy Fish
Jan-Michael Gambill
Anna-Lena Groenefeld
Graydon Oliver
Ahsha Rolle
Bryanne Stewart

Team Name: Kansas City Explorers
Address: P.O. Box 1521, Mission, KS 66222
Roster:
Mike Bryan
Bob Bryan
Scott Doerner
Lilia Osterloh
David Macpherson
Brian MacPhie
Corina Morariu
Caroline Wozniacki

Team Name: Newport Beach Breakers
Address: c/o Airport Plaza Center, 4540 Campus Dr., Suite 100, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Roster:
Ramon Delgado
Tina Krizan
Rick Leach
Anastassia Rodionova
Pete Sampras
Jeff Tarango

Team Name: Sacramento Capitals
Address: 2483 Sunrise Blvd., Suite C, Gold River, CA 95670
Roster:
Brandon Coupe
Mark Knowles
Anna Kournikova
Elena Likhovtseva
Bethanie Mattek
Travis Parrott
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Nicole Vaidisova
Sam Warburg

Team Name: St. Louis Aces
Address: 6300 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63117
Roster:
John Paul Fruttero
Maria Emilia Salerni
Aleke Tsoubanos
Brian Wilson

Team Name: Springfield Lasers
Address: Springfield Greene County Park Board, 1923 N. Weller, Springfield, MO 65803
Roster:
Victoria Azarenka
Nick Monroe
Anastasia Myskina
Kaysie Smashey
Andreea Vanc
Alex Vlaski

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