Midwestern MLB Fanfests, Memorabilia Sales Set

The Cardinals, White Sox, Twins and Reds have plans in place for their winter fan fests including autograph sessions and memorabilia sales.

Passes for the 13th annual St. Louis Cardinals Winter Warm-Up will be available starting today. One of the most popular fan events in baseball, the three-day event will take place Saturday, January 17 through Monday, January 19 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day). Times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday. The Winter Warm-Up will again be held at the Millennium Hotel in downtown St. Louis.

The most popular attractions of the Warm-Up will return for 2009, including autograph sessions, clinics on baseball techniques and strategy, interactive games and a sports card and memorabilia show. Panel discussions with team owners, scouts, broadcasters and other baseball officials and personalities will also take place throughout the weekend.

Many players' autographs are free with your admission pass, while others require an autograph ticket available through a specific additional donation. Please check the Cardinals website (www.stlcardinals.com) in January for details, including players autographing dates, times, and, if required, additional donation amounts. Autograph tickets will be available, until sold out, each day of the Winter Warm-Up at the Millennium Hotel. In addition, a limited number of autograph tickets will be available at a one-day only "Early-Bird Special," Saturday, January 10th from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Millennium Hotel in downtown St. Louis.

Admission passes, valid for all three days of the Warm-Up, cost the same as last year -- $40 for fans age 16 and over, $10 for children age 5 to 15 and kids under 5 are admitted free of charge. Members of the military, police and fire departments with an active ID will receive one free adult pass which must be obtained by coming to the Cardinal offices.

The Minnesota Twins have announced plans for TwinsFest 2009, scheduled for Friday, January 23 through Sunday, January 25, 2009, at the Metrodome. More than 50 current, former and future Twins players are expected to appear throughout the course of the weekend. The club will also host a large baseball card show. TwinsFest admission prices are $8 in advance for adults ($12 at the door) and $4 in advance for children 14 and under ($6 at the door).

The Chicago White Sox again will offer fans unique access to the home and visiting clubhouses at U.S. Cellular Field during the annual "Holiday Clubhouse Sale" the weekend of Dec. 5-7. During the sale, new, officially licensed team merchandise, including 2008 Playoff gear, will be marked down 20 to 50 percent and sold in the White Sox home clubhouse, an area of the ballpark rarely visited by fans.

The Holiday Clubhouse Sale takes place on: Friday, Dec. 5, 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Fans planning to attend should park their vehicles in Lot E and enter U.S. Cellular Field through the Stadium Club entrance, located between Gates 2 and 3. The cost of admission is $5, which is good towards a purchase at the clubhouse sale.

The Cincinnati Reds "Redsfest" will be held at Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati on Friday, Dec. 12 from 4 to 10:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

One-day tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for fans 12 and under, while two-day tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids.

Since returning from a two-year hiatus in 2004-05 due to construction at the convention center, Redsfest has drawn record crowds in consecutive years. Last year's event attracted more than 20,000 fans over two days.

"Redsfest is the benchmark for fan festivals throughout Major League Baseball," said Reds President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini. "Redsfest XI will once again be nothing short of spectacular."

Current and former Reds players expected to attend Redsfest XI include Gold Glove second baseman Brandon Phillips, first baseman Joey Votto, outfielder Jay Bruce and Reds Hall of Fame outfielder Eric Davis.

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Miley Cyrus Greets and Signs for Fans in NYC

Always willing to take time out for her fans, Miley Cyrus was spotted signing autographs in New York City on Friday afternoon (November 28).

The “Hannah Montana” starlet is staying in the Big Apple following an appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade yesterday morning.

Meanwhile, Miss Cyrus recently confessed to Us magazine that she’s looking forward to the holidays and hopes to celebrate with her underwear model beau Justin Gaston.

“I love to spend the holidays with my friends,” Miley told Us, adding of Justin, “I think that we are really good friends, and we love hanging out and spending time together”

Meanwhile, Mr Gaston isn’t locking into any set agenda quite yet, saying, “I don’t know where she’ll be, but I hope she has a good time. I’ll probably be around somewhere and hanging with the family.”

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Showbiz Memorabilia Up For Grabs

Showbiz memorabilia worth thousands of pounds is to go under the hammer in the Black Country – including 150 autographs by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and Ginger Rogers.

Three collections in all will go up for sale at Fieldings Auctioneers, in Mill Race Lane, Stourbridge, on December 6. People from across the globe are expected to come to the event.

The first collection is the personal archive of one of Britain’s foremost theatrical producers Harold Fielding, who died in 1985.

He put on a string of West End spectaculars during his career including Half a Sixpence, Charlie Girl and Barnum. Items include letters and Christmas cards from Hollywood starlet Ginger Rogers and letters from Marlene Dietrich.

Dietrich appeared in a show for Mr Fielding for the sum of 3,000 dollars – but the letters suggest he was a little slow in sending the money.

One tense telegram, wired on August 11, 1955, reads: “Fielding, Very astonished monies have not yet been received by my bank. This has not been handled as you promised. Deitrich.”

The second collection belongs to rock band AC/DC’s session drummer Barry Scranage and includes 10 previously unseen photographs of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

There is also the iconic stage crucifix used in Black Sabbath’s 1970s tour and session recordings with Ozzy Osbourne.

The final collection is a wide selection of autographs, including a cheque signed by Marilyn Monroe and an early signed photograph of Charlie Chaplin.

The sale will be open for viewing from 9am to 4pm on December 4, 9am to 8pm on December 5 and 8am to 10am on the day of the sale, December 6.

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Jonas Brothers: 'Burning Up' The Big Apple

It was every teenage girl's dream in Midtown Manhattan Friday, as boy-band sensation, The Jonas Brothers, dropped by Barnes & Noble to sign copies of their newly released book, "Burning Up: On Tour with the Jonas Brothers."

Hundreds of teens lined up outside the book store on Fifth Avenue to get an up-close look at the Brothers and get a lasting memory: their prized autographs.

Some loyal fans, along with their parents, even camped hours outside for the event.

"Hi everyone in New York," said Kevin Jonas, inside the store waiting to greet excited fans. "We love you so much! Thank you for coming here."

In their new tell-all book, the Brothers are giving fans a real look at what life is like on the road. It also includes exclusive, never-before-seen photos of the teen idols.

If you're wondering, it seems the Jonas Brothers are used to functioning without sleep.

Before making their way to the Big Apple today, Nick, Joe and Kevin spent their Thanksgiving performing at the football half-time show in Dallas, where the Cowboys took on the Seattle Seahawks.

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Paul McCartney Defends Ringo Starr's Anti-Autograph Stance

Sir Paul McCartney has defended his former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr's decision not to sign autographs.

Starr was widely criticised in October after he told fans to stop sending him memorabilia because he was too busy.

In a video message on his website, Starr said anything sent after October 20th would be “tossed”

McCartney told reporters in London that the drummer had taken the decision because it was “his life”

“Ringo’s always been like that, God bless him. We love Ringo because he just says what he thinks. If he doesn’t want to sign anything anymore then he doesn’t have to,” McCartney said.

“And yeah, he gets in trouble occasionally, but as anyone who has known Ringo as long as I have knows that’s what he’s like. I think it’s a good quality; it’s called honesty actually."

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Britney Spears' Outrageous Demands For 'X Factor' Show

Britney Spears has reportedly demanded three dressing rooms and 45 minders ahead of her performance on ‘The X Factor’ Saturday night.

The 26-year-old singer – who wowed fans with an exclusive rendition of her hit record ‘Womanizer’ at Germany’s Bambi Awards Thursday night – is said to have made more outrageous requests than infamous diva Mariah Carey, who appeared on the British TV talent show two weeks ago.

A source said: “It’s completely silly. No one has seen anything like it, not even when Mariah Carey was on the show. Britney has ordered the use of three dressing rooms, Mariah only wanted two.

“She has also requested the security be tripled, from 15 minders to 45. But it was a coup to get Britney at all, so they are pandering to her every whim.”

Britney has also banned the show’s finalists, as well as judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh, from requesting autographs or pictures with her.

The source added to Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper: “To say it is over the top is an understatement. That not even the judges can ask for pictures with her is beyond belief. The studio has been in lockdown since yesterday in preparation for Britney’s arrival.

“Simon finds it all hysterical!”

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Past and Present 007's Signing For Fans

British actor Roger Moore signs autograph on his latest book 'The World is My Bond' during the news conference in Hong Kong Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008


British actor Daniel Craig signs autograph for Japanese fans as he arrives at the Japanese premiere for his latest James Bond movie "Quantum of Solace" in Tokyo November 25, 2008

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Mystery `Eleanor Rigby' Document Goes to Auction

LONDON – Eleanor Rigby: fact or fiction?

That question, which has bedeviled Beatles' fans for decades, may be answered in part by a 1911 hospital payroll sheet to be auctioned in London on Thursday.

The document, sent by Paul McCartney in 1990 to the director of a music charity who had asked for funding, contains the signature of a scullery maid named "E. Rigby" who worked in a Liverpool hospital.

The director of the company auctioning the document believes the woman who signed the payroll is the same Eleanor Rigby buried in 1939 in a Liverpool graveyard next to the church where McCartney met the young John Lennon.

"I've spoken to the person who lived in the house where she used to live, and they've confirmed that the signature is the same signature of the person in the graveyard," said Tom Owen of the Fame Bureau auction house, adding that the finding may contradict McCartney's longtime assertion that the song was based on a made-up character.

"It's intriguing that McCartney owned it because he says he created the song around a fictitious figure," said Owen. "And yet, how did he have this document and why did he have it? When he was asked to donate money, he sent this."

Interest is so high it's estimated the document may fetch $750,000.

McCartney has said the song was not based on a real person but concedes he may have been subconsciously influenced by seeing the tombstone.

When the auction was announced earlier this month, he released a statement reiterating that the character was not real. "If someone wants to spend money buying a document to prove that a fictitious character exists, that's fine with me," McCartney said.

The payroll sheet was signed by "E. Rigby" after she collected her pay at Liverpool's City Hospital. McCartney has not revealed how he got the document, or why he sent it to the charity 18 years ago.

According to the tombstone, Eleanor Rigby was born in 1895. If she is the woman who signed the hospital payroll, she would have been about 16 at the time. She worked as a maid washing pots and pans in the hospital kitchen, the document says.

The song "Eleanor Rigby," released in 1966 as a single and on the Beatles' "Revolver" album, represented a sharp break for the band, which until then had largely relied on cheerful tunes for their international hits.

With its haunting refrain, "Ah, look at all the lonely people," it is a devastating portrayal of an isolated woman whose death draws so little notice that no one attends her funeral.

There are no rock 'n' roll guitars or drums on the somber track — McCartney's lead vocal is backed by violins, violas and cellos arranged by Beatles producer George Martin.

"It's a Beatles song with no Beatles instruments," said Glenn Gass, a rock historian who teaches a course on the Beatles at Indiana University.

"It's just so bleak and so sad: she picks up the rice at someone else's wedding, the whole image of her wearing a face that she keeps in a jar by the door. There are things happening emotionally that you just can't see. It's not a pop song in any traditional sense, but it's one of their great songs."

Lennon and George Harrison sing harmony; Ringo Starr does not play or sing, although Beatles experts say he contributed one line to the lyrics. "Eleanor Rigby" is credited to the Lennon-McCartney writing team, but it is widely regarded as primarily by McCartney.

McCartney has said he considered naming the woman in the song "Daisy Hawkins." He also mulled naming the unsympathetic priest "Father McCartney" but decided on "Father McKenzie" so his own father wouldn't be burdened.

The song has had so much impact that a statue honoring Eleanor Rigby — be she real or imagined — has been built in downtown Liverpool. Passers-by often place flowers there.

Owen said "every penny" from the auction will go to Sunbeams Music Trust, a charity that provides music instruction to people with special needs.

The charity's founder, Annie Mawson, received the document from McCartney after writing him an 11-page letter seeking help for her foundation, which uses Beatles songs, among others, to teach music to people with physical and mental disabilities. She has found, for example, that autistic children respond well to Beatles music.

"I told Paul McCartney how his music had helped so many vulnerable children," she said.

She hand-delivered the letter to McCartney's London office in 1989 and received the hospital payroll document in the mail the following year. It was in an envelope carrying the logo of McCartney's world tour, but did not contain any note.

"I think my letter moved him, so he sent me this beautiful parchment document, a ledger, from 1911, showing E. Rigby," Mawson said. "My head was whirling when I saw the significance."

Her plan is to use the proceeds from the auction to finally build a music instruction center in Cumbria, England, where the charity is based.

"This is what I dreamt about in the '90s," she said, explaining that she held the document for years as the value of Beatles memorabilia soared.

"It's taken this long to develop the charity and get a good team behind it and now we really need a proper center."

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Megan Fox...One of Our Top Celebrity Signers

Megan Fox signs some autographs for fans as she and boyfriend Brian Austin Green depart from LAX on Tuesday.

She certainly has been busy since she has 4 films in post-production, including Jennifer's Body and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

In our opinion, she is definitely one of the best celebrity signers on both coasts. Big thumbs up for Megan Fox!

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Arianna Huffington in St. Louis

Syndicated columnist and blogger Arianna Huffington was the featured speaker at last night's St. Louis Speaker Series presentation at Powell Symphony Hall in St. Louis, Missouri.

She stuck out her hand to greet me as she exited the town car upon her arrival. Ms. Huffington then agreed to pose for this photograph and signed one 8 x 10, commenting, "wow, you are really prepared."

Thanks again Kevin!

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Rachael Ray Book Signing Events

Rachael Ray, TV cooking star and host, will be signing copies of her book Rachael Ray's Big Orange Book: Her Favorite All-New 30-Minute Meals, Veggie Meals, Holiday Menus, Dinners-for-One, Kosher Meals, Rollover Menus, and Much, Much More! at the following locations:

12/5/08 4:00 PM at Sam’s Club – Bridge Road. Deptford, NJ.
12/15/08 5:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – SE Maynard. Cary, NC.
12/18/08 5:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – West 69th. Edina, MN.
12/19/08 5:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Old Orchard Center. Skokie, IL.

Rachael Ray Book Signing Events
Rachael Ray Book Signing Events

Book Signings & Events

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Trading Card Companies Offer 'Hairy' Experience For Collectors

Play your cards right and you just might get a strand of George Washington's hair.

As they compete, two leading trading card companies — Topps and Upper Deck — are inserting strands of hair into random packs of cards.

Upper Deck boasts a line that includes Washington and Jackie Kennedy. Topps features Ronald Reagan and the only sports figure now available, Babe Ruth.

"It's the ultimate experience of bringing the subject close to the fan or collector," says Topps spokesman Clay Luraschi.

It used to be bubblegum. Why hair?

It's all about the marketplace, says Upper Deck public relations manager Terry Melia.

"Every year, card companies are trying to one-up the competition because our collectors demand creativity and getting them closer to the game than ever before."

Topps introduced three Washington cards in 2007, charging $4 for packs of eight. This year, Upper Deck joined the parade with 10 random cards that also had autographs and cost $9.99 in four-packs.

Most of the samples are from Connecticut hair collector John Reznikoff, who told The Wall Street Journal that his documentation is about as close to proof as possible.

How about athletes? Wouldn't some kid love to have a strand of Manny Ramirez's dreadlocks?

"That's the next level," says Luraschi, without adding when.

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Robert Pattison Signing at JFK, 'Twilight' Sequel in the Future

Just before catching a flight at JFK airport, Robert Pattinson stops to sign a few autographs and take a few pictures with fans in New York City on Sunday afternoon.

The 22-year-old British actor should get used to the spotlight he’s in now. Word of mouth is that the Summit Entertainment, the studio behind Twilight, has greenlit the sequel to the blockbuster film, based off of author Stephenie Meyer’s second book in the series, New Moon.

Twilight’s opening weekend was one for the history books. The film, dominated by female fans, made $70.6 million at the box office.

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Ted Williams Contract and Babe Ruth Bat Highlight Lelands Auction

The original document that sent Ted Williams from the San Diego Padres (Pacific Coast League) to the Boston Red Sox in 1937 (lot 750), has sold for $37,504 at the Lelands.com November catalog auction, which concluded early Saturday morning.

The document, which in the hearts of Red Sox Nation is the counter-balance to the famous “sale- to- New York- of- Babe Ruth” document, spelled out the trade and cash details that made Williams a major leaguer. (Al Niemiec and Dom Dallasandro went to the Padres in the deal). Williams later autographed the document, a document which had never before been auctioned. Hall of Famer Eddie Collins, the Red Sox general manager, signed the paper.

Meanwhile, a game used Babe Ruth bat, one of 12 the Bambino ordered from Hillerich & Bradsby for the 1932 season, sold for $71,211 (including buyer’s commission).

The Louisville Slugger hickory bat, from the season of the fabled “Called Shot Home Run” in the World Series, (lot 612) attracted 26 bids before coming to rest at its winning price. It was the highest price in the auction of more than 1,550 lots, which including many historic wire service photos, a specialty of Lelands.

The total auction grossed $2.3 million.

Said Joshua Leland Evans, the company's founder and chairman. “We are ecstatic with the numbers both individually and collectively. These are challenging economic times for our nation.”

A Boston-Pittsburgh program from Game One of the first modern World Series, 1903, (lot 684) realized $64,737. George Foster’s Mets championship ring from 1986 (lot 816) sold for $48,638. A 2004 Red Sox world championship ring in its original box (lot 751) went for $44,216. A Silver Presentation Bat gifted to Cap Anson (lot 840) sold for $43,740.

A collection of more than 21,000 photos from the archives of the San Francisco Chronicle (lot 1400) resulted in a sale of $17,656.

Other highlights:

Lot 154 – a complete set of 1933 Goudey Baseball cards - $43,197

160 – 1968 Topps 3D Robert Glemente (PSA GEM MT 10) - $40, 197

752 – 2007 Red Sox World Series ring in original box - $33,220

431 – 1969-70 Bobby Hull Black Hawks photo-matched game worn jersey - $30,200

9 - mint Robert Clemente single signed baseball - $22,690

874 - 1938 original Prince Valiant artwork by Hal Foster (2) - $21,926

294 - 1950’s Otto Graham Browns game worn jacket - $21,170

2 - 1960s Clemente San Juan Senadores game worn uniform - $17,496

5 - mid 1960s Clemente game used batting helmet - $17,047

6 - Clemente All-Star Game used bat from 1972 - $17,047

1 - Clemente signed Pirates contract from 1972 - $15,498

695 - Complete set of 12 New York Giants sterling silver season passes - $15,498

13 - Clemente single signed ball from hit number 2,819 - $13,288

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Rick Springfield in St. Louis

Today in St. Louis I met up with Richard Springthorpe. Richard who? You probably know him better as Dr. Noah Drake from the television soap opera General Hospital, or perhaps as musician Rick Springfield. The rock-n-roller is in concert tonight at Sangamon Auditorium on the campus of the University of Illinois-Springfield.

Springfield flew into Lambert St. Louis International Airport early this afternoon. He stopped for me and several other collectors and fans as he made his way to secure his baggage. He was a bit pressed for time, but did sign one autograph for each person and pose for photographs with all that asked. He looked especially rested after just wrapping up the Rick Springfield Cruise to Cozumel.

Thanks Kevin!

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Mastro Auctions Issues Statement On Authentication For Game-Used Memorabilia

Mastro Auctions forwarded the following email on 11/23/2008 7:19:52 P.M. Eastern Standard Time

Another Level of Authentication for "Legends of the Gridiron"...100% Photomatched!

A Word about Authentication:

Mastro Auctions provides its own Letters of Authenticity for all of the game used equipment that appears in the company's auctions. Additionally, it's significant to note that virtually every one of the game used jerseys and helmets in our special Legends sale has been specifically photomatched to verify that the style of the item corresponds directly to its stated period of game action.

To a greater degree than is the case with other sports, photomatching -- and the painstaking research that accompanies those methods -- is particularly important in the football collecting realm. The diligence required to ascertain precise matching (and explain occasional anomalies) sometimes yields unexpected rewards, too. As an example, the 1966 Jim Taylor Green Bay Packers game used jersey in the Legends sale was found, upon deep investigation, to differ from the style the Packers wore through December 18, 1966 (the date of the final game of that year's regular season). In fact, it is an exact match of the style worn by Taylor in Super Bowl I ... and it could very likely be the actual jersey he wore in that historic game!

Be sure to watch our website as the exciting Legends sale approaches. We'll be adding more and more photographic documentation (including intensive visual corroboration of the Taylor discovery) as the date of event nears, and this information will be of substantial value to serious bidders.

The photomatching process -- and our standard diligence in validating authenticity -- is a time-consuming effort. This is especially pertinent in consideration of the fact that doing proper justice to more than 200 quality items in "Legends of the Gridiron" required an exhaustive and lengthy expenditure of resources!

Anticipation for the "Legends of the Gridiron" event continues to build in the industry as December 8 comes closer ... we hope to see you there!

Please note: The Guide to Prospective Bidders in our Legends Live catalog contains an erroneous statement. *In the section dealing with Game Used Jerseys, the text states that PSA/DNA is involved in the authentication process. THIS IS INCORRECT. PSA/DNA is not now, nor has it ever been, involved in any way in the authentication of the game used jerseys we offer. This misprint is the result of a regrettable administrative mistake. Please disregard this error.

*Editor note: I wonder if Mastro Auctions would make the same statement about PSA/DNA in reference to autographed memorabilia that they sell?

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Christopher Plummer Book Signing Events

Christopher Plummer, legendary actor and star of “The Sound of Music”, will be signing copies of his book In Spite Of Myself: A Memoir at the following locations:

11/21/08 7:30 PM at Barnes & Noble – Lincoln Triangle. New York, NY.
12/1/08 7:30 PM at Kepler’s - El Camino Real. Menlo Park, CA.
12/4/08 7:00 PM at Vroman’s Bookstore - East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA.

Christopher Plummer Book Signing Events
Christopher Plummer Book Signing Events

Book Signings & Events

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Touring Entertainers to Boost Morale of US Troops in Afghanistan

Over the next five months, the U.S. Army is preparing to reinforce troop morale in Afghanistan with Entertainment from the Home Front, a string of touring entertainers and athletes that will include World Wrestling Entertainment Divas, National Football League cheerleaders and players, NASCAR drivers, and professional rodeo participants.

According to the Washington Post, the program calls for 10 tour groups to travel separately to Afghanistan for 10-day periods.

The request for entertainment has been made by the U.S. Army Europe that seeks "professional and reputable tour promoters to provide the type of entertainment services required."

Military leaders have long recognized the necessity of bringing a piece of home to their troops to relax them and take their minds off the trauma of conflict.

The list of entertainers they are now seeking, which they hope will reflect what the troops watch on TV, and the meticulous attention to detail offer a unique window on the broad diversity in the 21st-century Army and the venue in which it is fighting.

Outside the bases where they will perform, the entertainers will face the same constraints the troops live with. For example, as a nod to cultural sensibilities in Afghanistan, where insurgent attacks have increased as much as 30 percent this year, the entertainers are being asked to observe dress codes that will not offend the local population.

Furthermore, before the trip, "pre-approved autograph cards" with photographs must be supplied to make sure they are "acceptable by persons of alternate religions and faiths as not to offend the host nation population."

Standards of good taste are listed in the solicitation almost as commandments:

"An acknowledged deity will not be referred to in a manner that would offend a follower of any religious faith.

"Profanity, vulgarity, or connotations of sexual depravity and perversion will not be used.

"Military, racial, religious, or national groups will not be defamed, and individual deformities will not be ridiculed."

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10 Best and Worst Hollywood Autograph Signers For 2008

From Autograph Magazine:

10 Best Hollywood Autograph Signers For 2008

1. Jay Leno
2. George Clooney
3. Matt Damon
4. Rosario Dawson
5. John Travolta
6. Martin Sheen
7. Mark Wahlberg
8. Jack Nicholson
9. Brad Pitt / Angelina Jolie
10. Megan Fox

10 Worst Hollywood Autograph Signers For 2008

1. John C. Reilly
2. William Shatner
3. Will Ferrell
4. Gwyneth Paltrow
5. Tobey Maguire
6. Steve Carell
7. Tom Hanks
8. Adam Sandler
9. Cameron Diaz
10. Nicole Kidman

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Owning a Piece of Rock

Signed Ramones Test Pressing
A 1976 Columbia Records test pressing labeled Advance Promotional, signed on the cover by the Ramones (Johnny, Tommy, Joey and Dee Dee) in black marker. Accompanied by the Sire press release for their first album and a publicity photo. 12 1/2" x 12 1/2". Christie's - Punk/Rock - Nov. 24, 2008 - Lot #18 - Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000

Marty Stuart began fishing guitar picks out of trash cans as a 13-year-old mandolin player touring with bluegrass pioneer Lester Flatt. What started with castoffs grew into a 20,000-piece collection that includes an Elvis Presley sweater and Johnny Cash's handwritten lyrics to "Folsom Prison Blues" and "Man in Black."

Stuart, now 50 and a Grammy-winning country musician, pulled together most of his collection scouring Nashville pawn shops in the early 1980s. He picked up one of Patsy Cline's old stage costumes for $75 that way.

"In those days nobody cared about this stuff," Stuart says.

His collection is now worth millions and fills a warehouse in Hendersonville, Tenn. Three hundred pieces from it, including the Cash lyrics, are currently on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

Are memorabilia like Stuart's a serious investment? Only if you have serious time and money to devote to your collection. Tales abound of collectors shelling out six-figure sums for Stratocasters supposedly strummed by Keith Richards that, it turns out after the check has cleared, came no closer to the Rolling Stone than an enterprising roadie.

Such risks aside, to rock aficionados owning a guitar used by John Lennon resonates in a way that looking at a Monet or Fabergé egg never will. That has sent prices of rock memorabilia soaring. No indexes track this market, but as an indication of how quickly prices have risen lately, a Jimi Hendrix studio guitar that sold for $130,000 in 2004 changed hands last year for $480,000.

Christie's sold the guitar George Harrison used on the Revolver album and in the Beatles' live performances for $567,000. As proof that no memento is too trite to collect, a bidder recently offered $900 for a bank check that the late Beatle signed in 1971.

As with all collectibles, the market for rock memorabilia is governed by greater-fool economics: Items are worth what someone else will pay for them. Blackie, a guitar Eric Clapton played during the 1970s, sold at a charity auction for $959,000.

An Ebay merchant is asking $4,000 for lithographs of Beatles album covers purportedly signed by the Fab Four. Another seller seeks $14,000 for a guitar he claims was signed by Paul McCartney. Both say they have letters proving the items are the real deal.

The market for bogus rock memorabilia is so big that it has even spawned a backlash of vigilantes who've taken it upon themselves to police it. One is a roadie in New Jersey, who does not want to use his name but makes guitar picks for Ozzy Osbourne and other stars. He says he often discovers fakes on Ebay and maintains a Web site, Jeremy's Rock Pages, to highlight them.

"These guys [Ebay sellers] are clearing over $1,500 a month," he says.

Ebay does not examine collectibles posted on its site and "relies on sellers to be truthful and honest and actually be selling legitimate items," says a spokesperson. If the company learns items are bogus, it pulls them from its site and alerts law enforcement, she adds.

Formal authentication became big business in the 1980s, when seals of approval helped baseball cards and other sports memorabilia jump in value. Even so, a group of forgers vouching for fake goods, in cahoots with shady retailers, pawned off $100 million worth of fake collectibles on unsuspecting buyers before they were collared by the fbi in 2000.

One sort of rock collectible that it's probably best to steer clear of altogether: autographs.

"They're too easy to copy or just create," says Terry Stewart, president of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum. He's cautious in particular about items supposedly signed by all four Beatles. Real ones are rare, he says, and fakes are a favorite of forgers because of the sums they can fetch.

Sticking to the $30 million (retail value) auction house market is probably the easiest way to avoid the most egregious frauds. If you buy elsewhere, it's good to get a detailed ownership chain from the seller, rather than relying solely on an authenticator, says Darren Julien, president of Julien's Auctions. Look for specifics, like photographs of a musician playing the instrument.

Better still is an item that has been displayed in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum or the Experience Music Project in Seattle. Both delve into the history of the items they display, frequently contacting artists or their estates and getting them to vouch for the collectible in question. The museums' seals of approval can double what you'd pay for a similar item backed only by an authenticator's certificate.

The Hall of Fame once declined to display a 1957 Chevrolet the seller claimed Ringo Starr had owned, when it discovered the vehicle was never registered in the rock star's name. But museums can be fooled, too. The Experience Music Project once bought a Nirvana poster that turned out to be a high-quality fake (it realized its error before displaying the poster).

For collectors in love with rock music, rather than its stars, vintage guitars are worth a look, even if they never supposedly toured the Delta with Muddy Waters. Instruments that have survived since the 1950s and 1960s in prime shape can fetch five or six figures.

Vintage Guitar magazine lists 1963 vintage Gibson sg custom guitars at up to $22,000. A Gibson Les Paul Standard with a sunburst decoration goes for $350,000. Musical instruments are harder to fabricate than signatures.

The market is so hot that Thomas Byrne, cofounder of London's Anchorage Capital Partners, thinks he can raise $100 million for a closed-end fund that will buy vintage guitars and rock memorabilia. "Prices have never gone down," he insisted in October. Since then, new figures have come out showing that over the past year the market has declined 7%.

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Detective Handcuffed to Oswald Can't Escape Photo

Retired Dallas police detective Jim Leavelle still gets letters from strangers because of that 1963 photo of him standing next to Lee Harvey Oswald.

You know - THAT photo.

"Most just want autographs," Leavelle said. "One asked what affect the Kennedy assassination had on my life. The usual."

As the nation marks the 45th anniversary Saturday of the Kennedy assassination, the 88-year-old Leavelle remains one of the investigation's most famous figures.

Standing out in his tan suit and matching Resistol cowboy hat on Nov. 24, 1963, Leavelle was handcuffed to Oswald when Jack Ruby fired his .38-caliber pistol in an attack immortalized in the famous photo from the basement of Dallas police headquarters.

Leavelle leans back, his eyebrows furrowed and face stunned. Oswald grimaces. To the right, Ruby leans in and is still pointing his gun at Kennedy's assassin.

The photo made Leavelle's face known worldwide, and began a lifetime of explaining how he ended up handcuffed to Oswald more times than he can count.

"How many hairs are on a dog's back?" Leavelle said this week after another retelling at The Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas.

The story begins the same each time: Leavelle didn't even have an assignment when Kennedy's motorcade came through Dallas.

But once word reached police headquarters that Kennedy had been shot, Leavelle made his way to the Texas School Book Depository to collect statements. He wasn't there long before hearing on a police radio that an officer had been shot in the nearby neighborhood of Oak Cliff.

The detective volunteered immediately to investigate. The death of Dallas police officer J.D. Tippit - who Oswald shot after fleeing downtown following the assassination - later put Oswald in an interrogation room with Leavelle.

The two didn't get much time together. At least not until two days later, when Leavelle escorted Oswald out of Dallas police headquarters to be taken to the county jail.

Dozens of threats on Oswald's life had poured in. Before stepping out into a crowded basement of reporters, Leavelle took out his handcuffs and locked one cuff on his left forearm. The other he snapped on Oswald's right wrist.

"I said to Lee, if someone shoots at you, I hope they're as good a shot as you are," Leavelle said. "He smiled. I think it was the only time he did."

Leavelle saw the gun in Ruby's hand right away. He tried to jerk Oswald behind him, but that wound up only exposing Oswald's body even more. Later, he was able to move the bullet lodged under Oswald's skin with his finger.

Leavelle doesn't believe in conspiracy theories. He said the number of people who claimed to have been on the grassy knoll when Kennedy was shot could fill the Cotton Bowl. And his ready quip about the photo? "I started to ask them to take it over. I didn't like the look of it."

He usually does television interviews in the five- and 10-year anniversaries of the assassination, including some overseas. Fewer requests came this year. But Leavelle knows why they always ask.

"The American people like a mystery," Leavelle said. "They don't like anything cut-and-dry."

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Preview: Michael Jordan Signs for 2008-09 NBA Premier

2008-09 NBA Premier to be released January 14, 2009

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X-Amazing Finds: Houdini-JFK-Elvis Autographs Movie Posters

In the past month we have acquired some of the most extraordinary treasures from historical figures of Sports, Vintage Hollywood, and the Presidency. Top of the list is an incredible certified Harry Houdini autographed photo. Also, check out a 1961 JFK Innugural Gala menu signed by Frank Sinatra. And, original lobby cards from “It's a Wonderful Life” and Bela Lugosi horror classic.

For over 20 years Conway’s Vintage Treasures has been scouring the universe in search of the most unusual collectibles and antiques. Not the typical material you see at most antique shows, but rare, selective material like highly rare autograph items from some of the most extraordinary personalities that ever lived. We also get excited over historical and Hollywood memorabilia such as original presidential documents and stunning vintage movie art posters. These were the posters actually used in the movie theatres over 50 years ago before the computer generated posters replaced the highly talented movie poster artists of the silver screen era. The vintage artwork on many of these movie posters is amazing. For example, note the stunning artwork for “House on Haunted Hill”, a 1959 horror classic starring Vincent Price.

We also acquire some of the most desirable Fine Art Paintings primarily from 18th,19th and early 20th Century. Our selection includes spectacular landscapes, seascapes, abstract and still life. Our collection is also diverse from important, highly listed European Seascape Artists to American Artist Ernest Fiene who was well known for his American City paintings and exceptionally executed portraits.

So, on a quiet evening after a long day take a stroll down memory lane and discover some of the incredible vintage treasures we have in our collection. Our web site is very usre friendly with great images of all items. And, don’t hesitate to drop us a line, we’re always happy to hear from other passionate collectors.

Conway's Vintage Treasures

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Kevin Meets Will Smith in St. Louis

He's achieved success in three major medias: television, movies, and music. He's won numerous Grammy Awards. He's an Academy Award nominee. He's the only actor to have eight consecutive movies gross more than $100,000,000. And, he's one of my favorite actors.

Will Smith was in St. Louis today to promote his newest movie, Seven Pounds. I met Will as he left the Four Seasons Hotel about 6 p.m. to attend a screening of the flick at a local theater. The screening also served as a fund-raiser for an area food bank. As he had been doing all day, Will gladly stopped to sign autographs (he placed a beautiful personalized autograph on my Hancock promo poster) and flash his million-dollar smile (I swear he has the whitest teeth I've ever seen) for this photograph.

You can really tell Will enjoys meeting his fans. He's is definitely one of the good guys.

Thanks Kevin!

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Dallas Cowboys Auction Begins

Bidding opened this week on the contents of Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys since 1971.

The team is moving to a new facility next year, but not before joining the stadium auction craze. The sale is taking place at DallasCowboys.com/auction.

Like the Yankees, Mets, Tigers, Cardinals and other sports franchises, the Cowboys believe there is a market for virtually anything fans saw while watching the team play. The auction includes turnstiles, signs, stars that line the stadium walls, stadium decor and fixtures, home and visiting team lockers and even the sink in the coach's office.

Lockers are expected to draw some interest from local fans willing to pick them up in person. The team has Tony Romo's locker starting with a $3000 minimum bid and Terrell Owens' stall at $2000. The team says the locker currently used by running back Marion Barber is the same one that Hall of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman used during their playing days. It holds a $5000 minimum bid.

“Over 600 items are being offered for sale,” said Bruce Schneider, president and CEO of Schneider Industries, the company conducting the sale. “Along with the high-end items, we’re offering fun things like restroom signs and the wooden stars from stadium concession stands. We’re excited to be able to share with Cowboys fans around the world this once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a piece of America’s Team history. This sale is also a celebration of one of the country’s greatest sports venues. There’ll never be another Texas Stadium.”

The city of Irving, Texas will get a portion of the proceeds with the rest going to the Cowboys.

Winning bidders will pay an 18% buyer's premium and 6.25% sales tax. The auction continues through December 6. After the current football season ends, winning bidders will have fourteen days to pick up their items or arrange shipping.

Go here to bid--> Dallas Cowboys Auction

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Roger Federer Pleased With Huge Turnout at Autograph Session

More than 1,000 fans thronged the foyer of the Petronas Twin Towers to meet Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer yesterday.

Fans queued up as early as 8am just to see the 27-year-old Swiss in the flesh and get his autograph.

The queue extended to about 100m and spilled outside the building as fans waited to meet the man who held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 237 consecutive weeks before losing it to rival Rafael Nadal of Spain this year.

According to an event spokesman, the crowd went absolutely wild when Federer arrived.

“He had fans of all ages. There was even a 60-year-old lady who was so excited after she got his signature.

“There were also some Swiss fans present who brought Swiss cow bells along with them. It was quite a noisy affair,” he said.

Federer was in town for the “Showdown of Champions” matches at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil held last night, with American James Blake and tennis legends and former Wimbledon champions John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg also participating.

In the one-set exhibition match, Federer scraped past Blake 7-6, showing no signs of the back strain or stomach bug that hampered him at last week’s season-ending Masters Cup.

“There was some fantastic tennis tonight. I was confident coming into the match today and I played pretty well so I’m happy,” said Federer.

McEnroe won the battle of the old timers when he beat former arch-rival Borg 7-6. McEnroe and Blake then teamed up to beat Federer and Borg 7-5 in the doubles match.

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Fans Flock to `Twilight' Premiere in Los Angeles

Hundreds of shrieking fans — mostly teenage girls — lined the streets outside the Mann Village and Bruin Theatres on Monday for a chance to peek at the stars attending the Los Angeles premiere of "Twilight." Some enthusiasts of the popular vampire literary series-turned-movie camped out overnight, while many arrived at dawn to secure a place in line.

"I'm on basic motor functions right now," actor Robert Pattinson, who plays sexy vamp Edward, said amid fans' screams.

More than 600 people were allowed inside special holding areas along both sides of the premiere's red carpet. The self-proclaimed fanpires gawked, squealed and begged for autographs and photos with the stars. Others spilled out beyond the barricades and across the street from the premiere. Many held up handmade signs. Most just wanted face time. What question did they ask the most?

"`What's it like kissing vampires?'" said actress Kristen Stewart, who plays human teenager Bella.

Marie Sheranian, 16, and Brianna Matheson, 17, came from Simi Valley, Calif., to catch a glimpse of Pattinson, the 22-year-old actor who became a heartthrob after winning the role of Edward. The two "Twilight" fans created T-shirts professing their devotion for Pattinson and brought crates to stand on in hopes of seeing the actor's face — or even the top of his hair — from above the crowd.

"My heart is gonna explode," Sheranian said from atop a crate.

Not everyone in the horde was a howling teenage girl. Several teenage boys were sprinkled throughout the crowd. And there were even a few parents — including the founders of TwilightMoms.com, who left their children and husbands at home to attend the premiere. Pia Castillo said she came all the way from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to see the film's bloodsuckers in person.

"It's shocking something I came up with could inspire all this," said "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer.

The red carpet was buzzing about possible sequels. Meyer has written three other "Twilight" novels.

Pattinson said he signed on for the film thinking it would be part of a trilogy, and he knows a script for a second film has been written.

Stewart said she originally heard the cast might reunite to film both the second and third sequels at the same time, but now they might be filmed separately.

"It has to make a certain amount of money, like $150 million, to be able to afford the sequel," director Catherine Hardwicke said. "So we really don't know yet."

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Meet Magic Johnson - Sports Museum of America, NYC

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Famed Abraham Lincoln Letter Found In Texas Museum - Possible Authentic Copy

A Texas museum hopes a document found in its archives turns out to be an authentic government copy of Abraham Lincoln's eloquent letter consoling a mother thought to have lost five sons in the Civil War.

The famed Bixby Letter, which the Dallas Historical Society is getting appraised as it prays for a potential windfall, has a fascinating history.

The original has never been found. Historians debate whether Lincoln wrote it. Its recipient, Lydia Bixby, was no fan of the president. And not all her sons died in the war.

The letter, written with "the best of intentions" 144 years ago next week, is "considered one of the finest pieces of American presidential prose," said Alan Olson, curator for the Dallas group. "It's still a great piece of writing, regardless of the truth in the back story."

Historians say Lincoln wrote the letter at the request of a Massachusetts official, who passed along news of a Boston woman grieving the loss of her five sons. The letter is addressed to "Mrs. Bixby, Boston, Mass." and begins with an acknowledgment that nothing written could possibly make a grief-stricken mother feel better about such a horrific loss.

"I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming," Lincoln wrote.

After thanking Bixby on behalf of a grateful nation, Lincoln wrote that he would pray that God relieve her anguish and leave her with only the "cherished memory of the loved" along with "the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."

The letter, as was the president's custom in his personal correspondence, is signed "A Lincoln."

"It is so beautifully written," said James Cornelius, curator of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill. "It is an extraordinarily sensitive expression of condolence."

There was renewed interest in the letter after it was read in the 1998 film "Saving Private Ryan." It also sparked a new round of debate centering on Lincoln's authorship and the fate of Bixby's sons.

Evidence indicates two of Bixby's sons died, a third was a deserter and a fourth ended up in a prisoner-of-war camp, Cornelius said. A fifth is believed to have received a discharge, but his fate is unknown.

Historians have also argued that John Hay, one of Lincoln's secretaries, wrote the letter. Hay was an accomplished writer who wrote a biography of Lincoln and later became ambassador to the United Kingdom.

"Lincoln probably wrote it," Cornelius said. "Hay did on some occasions write letters in Lincoln's name and sign them — or have Lincoln sign them — but probably not something like this that purports to be so personal and individual and heartfelt."

The letter received widespread attention days after it was written. Bixby either sent it to the Boston Evening Transcript or a postal worker intercepted it and tipped off the newspaper, which reprinted the letter, Cornelius said.

The touching note came about two months after Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman had broken through Atlanta on his march to the coast and about two weeks after Lincoln won re-election. Union spirits were high, Cornelius said.

"The letter was so popular that it was published in newspapers and people copied and sent it to relatives," Olson said. "That letter and the words in it affected the nation. It tugged at people's hearts at the time of a really bloody period in America."

Olson hopes he has an official government copy of the Bixby Letter and not something one relative sent to another. In an era before photocopiers or carbon paper, secretaries hand-copied documents to be retained for their files, he said.

The paper and ink appear authentic to the Civil War era, he said. The historical society has asked an expert at Christie's auction house in New York for an opinion.

Stacy McDermott, an assistant editor at The Papers of Abraham Lincoln, estimated that an official government copy of the Bixby Letter would fetch millions of dollars.

But Cornelius doubts the letter is authentic. He said the Lincoln White House would have been unlikely to make a copy of such a personal letter and points out that a pair of rival New York companies sold copies of the letter as keepsakes beginning in the 1890s.

Olson said he stumbled across the letter over the summer in the historical society archives, which contain about 3 million items. He said he does not know how or why the letter ended up in the archives.

The discovery, Olson said, will provide a teachable moment even if it doesn't prove to be a bankable one.

"If it's not worth a lot of money — too bad," Olson said. "It's still a fascinating story and it's still a great display piece."

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Fans Flock to See 'Madagascar' Stars

Hundreds of screaming fans have welcomed Hollywood funnymen Chris Rock and Ben Stiller at the Australian premiere of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.

The sequel to the 2005 animated hit Madagascar premiered at Sydney's State Theatre on Monday night.

Market Street, in Sydney's CBD, was lined by fans of all ages brandishing cameras and pens to catch a glimpse of the pair and score an autograph.

One fan presented Stiller with a toy kangaroo brandishing an Australian flag.

Rock, who voices Marty the zebra, and Stiller, who lends his vocal talents to Alex the lion, obligingly signed autographs and posed for photographs.

In the second film, to be released in Australia next month, the animals - Alex, Marty, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo - are back in Africa after their New York-bound plane crash lands.

The zoo-raised gang find themselves on a wildlife reserve where they encounter species of their own kind for the first time.

Stiller and Rock say they are now looking forward to a third Madagascar instalment.

"They still haven't gotten home and it always felt like this was the type of movie where you could do three instalments because they could try to get home," Stiller told AAP.

Stiller said he would love to see the animals in the Australian outback.

"You guys have iconic animals. There aren't many countries that have animals that are so associated with the country.

"My daughter loves Australian wildlife."

Australia is in the middle of a Hollywood whirlwind this week with Tuesday's world premiere of Australia bringing stars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman back home.

Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko added a touch of glamour at the Australian premiere of the latest Bond movie The Quantum of Solace on Saturday, while former Bond star Sir Roger Moore is here to launch his autobiography.

Dreamworks boss Jeffrey Katzenberg, who's also promoting Madagascar, said it was an exciting time to be in Australia.

"Right now - these last 24 hours it feels like Hollywood has moved here," Katzenberg told AAP.

Rock agreed with his sentiments.

"Yeah, you know me - Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig - we're all just hanging out. It was like: 'Let's go together'," he said.

Rock, who supported Barack Obama at the recent American presidential election, once portrayed the first black president in Head Of State.

He said he hadn't been mistaken for the president-elect since coming to Australia.

"Not yet, not yet. But I have got some secret service guys hanging around just in case."

Rock, who also starred in Bee Movie last year, said he took his "family duties very seriously", and was open to doing more kids movies in the future.

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Stacy Keibler & Test Scheduled For Wrestling Convention

Former WWE Diva Stacy Keibler will be doing her first wrestling convention since leaving the business on December 6 & 7 in East Hanover, New Jersey. Former beau and WWE Superstar Andrew "Test" Martin will also be at the convention. A number of other interesting names are slated to appear at the event including the recently released Elijah Burke, Stacy "Miss Kitty" Carter (who turned up at her first wrestling-related event in seven years this past September), Ryan Shamrock, Jackie Haas, Carmel "Miss Jones" Macklin (the former manager of Ernest "The Cat" Miller in WCW), Leticia Cline, Shawn Stasiak, Roxxi Laveaux, Juventud Guerrera, and Terry Taylor. Stacy Keibler autographs cost the most as they're running for $30, whereas most everyone else is $10 to $15. For more information on the event, visit www.TurnbucklePromotions.com.

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Ruth's Uniform Fetches $270,000 at Louisville Slugger Museum Auction

A 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers uniform, the last baseball road uniform worn by Babe Ruth, sold for $270,000.

The uniform, which was purchased by and anonymous bidder, was among nearly 900 items of sports memorabilia up for auction today at the Louisville Slugger Museum on Main Street.

Hunt Auctions, a Pennsylvania-based company that handled the auction, said the price paid for the famous slugger’s Spalding jersey and pants was a record for a coach’s uniform.

“Babe Ruth proved once again he is larger then life,” said David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions. “The prices realized today for the Ruth uniform among others are an excellent indication of the resilience of the sports memorabilia market in the face of a difficult economy.”

Ruth wore the uniform during one season as a first-base coach with the Dodgers. The jersey has Ruth’s name stitched inside near the manufacturer’s tag and shows very little wear. A 1939 World’s Fair patch also is sewn on the left sleeve.

The anonymous buyer, who bid by telephone, will pay $310,500 when auction fees are included.

Most of the memorabilia today related to baseball, but there were also collectibles connected to Louisville native and boxing great Muhammad Ali, including an autographed pair of red Everlast boxing gloves and a 1971 Ali-signed poster by Leroy Neiman featuring Ali versus Joe Frazier.

A 1947 World Middleweight Championship belt worn by Rocky Graziano, which was expected to sell for up to $75,000 was withdrawn because of an ownership dispute.

The auction included several items that once belonged to New York Yankee Thurmon Munson, who died in an airplane crash in 1979. A road jersey sold for $23,000, a clean non-scuffed autographed baseball went for $6,325 and a buyer paid $1,265 for the player’s rubber shower sandals.

Not everyone spent as much as the undisclosed buyer of the Ruth uniform. A.J. Capelli, 59, a family physician in Kenosha, Wis., came to Louisville with an auction budget of $5,000. He was excited to be the winning bidder for the autographs of baseball players Ruth, Jimmie Foxx and Rogers Hornsby.

“I’m interested in champions,” he said, “I got three autographs that I have always wanted. Isn’t that fun?”

Capelli was last seen eyeing Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves and the Leroy Neiman poster.

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Red Sox’ Agreement That Landed Ted Williams Is Up For Sale

The most famous sale agreement involving a baseball player in New England sports history has to be the one that sent Babe Ruth from the Red Sox to the Yankees, a deal that defined notoriety in the wake of 86 years of baseball frustration.

Rhode Islander Alan Shawn Feinstein bought that historic 1919 document for $99,000 during a Leland’s auction in 1993, then resold it 12 years later for $996,000 to benefit charities that battle world hunger.

Now, a second sale agreement has surfaced on the sports collectibles market, this one a more positive force in Red Sox history. It’s the 1937 agreement that brought Ted Williams to Boston from the San Diego Padres, then a minor-league franchise. Once again,it is Leland’s auction house handling the sale, and bidding ends on Friday.

The Williams sale document is signed by Bill Lane, the owner of the San Diego club, and Eddie Collins, general manager of the Sox. Collins had discovered Williams during a scouting trip originally focused on two other players, including Bobby Doerr, later a teammate of Williams in Boston and a fellow Hall of Famer in Cooperstown.

Williams had joined the San Diego team in his native city in 1936 while he was still in high school, although the Padres played in the then powerful, pre-expansion Pacific Coast League. The Yankees had shown interest in the youngster early on, but Williams’ forceful mother preferred that her son play near his San Diego home.

Williams’ first pro contract paid him a modest $150 a month. Ironically, the Padres were initially interested in him as a pitcher. Williams had pitched and played the outfield on the sandlots and in high school, but even then he was preoccupied with hitting.

Because Williams was still a minor, San Diego’s owner told Collins that he wasn’t yet ready to sign on with a big-league team, but promised to give the Red Sox first bid when the young prospect was deemed ready.

After the 1937 season, Lane proved to be a man of his word. Though he was hounded by several teams, including the Tigers, Giants, Yankees and Braves, Lane contacted Collins and sealed the deal with the Red Sox.

According to the document, Boston paid San Diego $20,000 and gave it the rights to two players — outfielder Dominic Dallessandro and second-baseman Al Niemiec. Later reports indicate the cash involved was $25,000, not $20,000.

Subsequent reports indicate the Sox also gave San Diego the rights to two additional players —outfielder Spencer Harris and shortstop Bunny Griffith. In addition, Boston paid Williams’ parents $1,000. Dallessandro turned out to be the key for the Padres, hitting .309 in 1938 and a league-leading .368 a year later before San Diego sold him to the Cubs. Ironically, Dallessandro was the uncle of Dick Gernert, a slugging first baseman who was a Red Sox teammate of Williams for eight seasons in the 1950s.

The sales agreement being sold by Leland’s also bears Williams’ signature, most certainly added by him years later. The document is matted and framed in a layout that includes an original photo of Williams at age 18 while playing for San Diego, which also is autographed by him, plus a descriptive caption and a Red Sox logo patch. It is lot 750 in the auction at www.lelands.com.

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Signature Moment for U.S. Ski Team

Athletes commonly say that putting on a Team USA jersey doesn’t just signify the level they have reached in their sport. It also comes with a sense of honor and responsibility for representing their country.

That’s why, when the men of the U.S. Ski Team participated in a “meet and greet” at the Brecken­ridge Recreation Center Thursday night, it was an opportunity to connect with the people that they are competing for, the fans that support them.

“It’s great to be able to give back and see how excited they are to see us,” said Chris Beckmann, 22, in his fourth year with the team.

“It gets us really fired up to go out there and do well,” teammate Will Brandenburg added.

The U.S. skiers still have a bit of time before they can start competing, which is why the team is cur­rently training in Summit County.

They have been hitting the slopes at both Copper Mountain and Loveland, while doing some condi­tioning work at the rec center.

While locals are hitting the gym, they are sharing the facility with former Olympians such as Steven Nyman and Marco Sullivan as well as up-and-coming skiers like Travis Ganong, Beckman and Brandenburg.

“The people here have been great,” Brandenburg said. “That’s why it’s fun to come out and sign autographs and be able to see the look on kids’ faces.”

The signing Thursday night, assistant coach Ben Black said, was the least the team could do for getting to train at the rec center.

“We were looking for a place that we could do our conditioning and obviously the facilities here are fantastic,” Black said of deciding on Breck as a base for his team’s dry-land work. “... We worked out a deal where [ the rec center] would comp all of our passes by us doing these poster signings and giving back to the communi­ty. It’s been a great partnership. ... The boys love coming here.”

Over the past few weeks, the skiers have also gotten pretty used to being in the rec center.

The team has been on a weekly training schedule that includes three on-snow days with conditioning every afternoon.

“We don’t push the guys too hard with it, because our focus is the on-snow train­ing,” Black said of the conditioning. “We come in here and will have some fun playing basketball or walleyball, some days.”

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Beatles Rare 'White Album' For Sale on eBay

One of the earliest pressed copies of The Beatles' 'White Album' has just gone for sale on eBay.

Copy number 0000005 is on for sale on the site, following on from the seminal record being given the Number One position in the '200 Rarest Records of All Time' by Record Collector magazine.

Some years ago, this album was taken into the collectors shop named 'Vinyl Revival Records' in Newbury, Berkshire, England by a musician (they did not disclose who) who had visited John in the flat that he shared with Yoko in late 1968 (that was owned by Ringo) at 34 Montague Square, Marylebone, London W.1. The musician saw a pile of White Albums on a table and asked for one. John readily agreed, but said 'Don't take No.1 - I want that'. Instead he took No. 5'.

The album then passed into the hands of Beatles specialist dealer 'Good Humour' who then sold it to its current owner who has now commissioned me to sell it on his behalf.

The Beatles' 'White Album' on eBay

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$45,000 for Pete Rose’s Autograph?

What price tag would you stick on a jersey autographed by Pete Rose?

How about $45K?

That’s what the item fetched at a charity auction Saturday night. Rose was in town for the Fairway Affair gala benefiting Jaden’s Ladder. The event, held at a private Buckhead estate, was hosted by Brave-turned-Dodger Andruw Jones and wife Nicole.

The couple, who continued to make metro Atlanta their home even after Andruw was traded, donated $75,000 to Jaden’s Ladder. The organization works with survivors of domestic violence.

The fundraiser attracted plenty of local sports figures. It was a two-day affair, with a golf tournament on Sunday. Rose, who flew in from Los Vegas to attend, didn’t stick around to hit the links. During the gala the colorful - and of course controversial - character was honored by Jaden’s Ladder with a Champion Award for his charitable endeavors.

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RacingAutograph.com Launches Website

Another NASCAR championship will be decided Sunday when the Sprint Cup series runs its final race of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway. RacingAutograph.com is ready to celebrate the end of an exciting 2008 season and the look ahead to NASCAR 09 with the launch of its website devoted to autograph collectables.

RacingAutograph.com brings all of the autograph collectables from NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA and Formula 1 on eBay to one website. Collectors and fans can shop for racing autographs for sale on eBay without having to navigate through the hundreds of thousands of other non-racing related material. RacingAutograph.com is strictly that--racing autographs.

With Jimmie Johnson closing in on a third straight season points championship, it will likely be a historic conclusion to the season and racing collectors will find plenty of signed Jimmy Johnson 8x10 autograph photos, die-cast cars and other Johnson autograph collectables. If Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Denny Hamlin are more your style, you will find plenty of items and new memorabilia added on daily--if not hourly basis.

Those who aren't currently eBay members will find a one-click link to eBay's registration page so they can sign up to join the millions of others who utilize the auction giant to find the autographs they're looking for--something for their own collection or a gift for a racing fan.

Racing Autograph is also ready to send you into NASCAR 09 with a complete schedule for next season, which begins again at Daytona just three months from now. The site also offers portals to racing news via other trusted websites so you can stay up to date with NASCAR news, IndyCar video and other material and will soon offer other racing collecting articles.

RacingAutograph.com

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Michael Phelps Book Signing Events

Michael Phelps, Olympic gold medalist / American swimming champion, will be signing copies of his book No Limits: The Will to Succeed at the following locations:

12/9/08 12:30 PM at Barnes & Noble – Fifth Avenue. New York, NY.
12/10/08 1:00 PM at Borders Books – Westwood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA.
12/11/08 1:00 PM at Borders Books – Broadway. New York, NY.

Michael Phelps Book Signing Events
Michael Phelps Book Signing Events

Book Signings & Events

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Sandra Bullock's Stalker Sentenced

A stalker who terrorised SANDRA BULLOCK and dumped pieces of animal fur in the star's backyard has been sentenced to three years' probation.

Marcia Valentine left "weird signs" in the Speed actress' garden, planted fur in her palm trees and hurled abuse at her husband Jesse James when he tried to note her licence plate.

Bullock was so terrified that she obtained a restraining order in 2007 banning Valentine from contacting her or visiting her home in Sunset Beach, California.

Valentine, 47, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour charge of stalking earlier this month (Nov08) and has been ordered to undertake three years' probation. A felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon was dropped.

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Bootsy Collins' Charity To Get 25 Guitars For Needy Kids

At Guitar Center's reopening Thursday night, the store will present 25 guitars to Bootsy Collins' Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation. The newly formed foundation will find a home for those guitars with needy kids.

Bootsy Collins will accept the generous gift, as well as sign autographs, at the new Guitar Center Cincinnati on Kemper Commons Circle between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The donation is part of the stores Grand Reopening in the Tri-County area. It closed its store at Cincinnati Mills Wednesday, November 12.

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New Site Salutes Pro Wrestling Autographs

Pro Wrestling fans now have one-stop shopping for autographs from their favorite wrestlers of all time. WrestlingAutograph.com brings the autographed wrestling items and championship belts listed on eBay.com to one singular website.

Partnering with the online auction giant, WrestlingAutograph.com makes it easy for fans, gift buyers and wrestling collectors to locate exactly what they’re looking for. The site includes drop down menus for dozens of eBay categories such as autographed photos, trading cards and other memorabilia. There is even a special link to signed items from the divas of pro wrestling.

Wrestling belts are also extremely popular and shoppers can find them with one click from the site.

Wrestling’s popularity dates back decades and collectors will find signed items from grapplers of all eras. Current WWE autographs can be found along with vintage signed wrestling items. The sport has maintained its immense popularity over the years and with the global reach and interest in wrestling autographs, fans utilize eBay to build their collections, but often find it difficult to navigate through the hundreds of thousands of items posted each week. WrestlingAutograph narrows the focus to only those items wrestling collectors are interested in. Autographed wrestling items and championship belts are among the most popular searched items

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Hundreds of Fans Upset About Robert Pattinson Event

ORLAND PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- There were a lot of unhappy parents and teens at a southwest suburban mall Wednesday morning.

Hundreds gathered outside Orland Square Mall for a chance to see the star of the new movie Twilight. He is appearing there Wednesday night. But some say they were robbed of their chance.

It got a bit ugly for a while Wednesday morning when a lot of people were complaining very loudly. Some came from as far away as Canada for a chance to meet actor Robert Pattinson. Orland Park police threatened a few people with arrest. Fortunately it did not come to that, but still, a lot of long faces at Orland Square Mall Wednesday.

"They took off school today. We have been up since 2:30 in the morning. Got here about 5," said Wendy Hill, parent.

"How fair is that when we follow rules and we get gypped?" said Patricia Kupiszewski, Pattinson fan.

Around 100 disappointed teens and parents confronted Orland Park police early Wednesday morning when they found out their hopes to meet teen heartthrob Robert Pattinson were dashed.

The 500 tickets at the Orland mall Hot Topic store were set to go on sale at 7 a.m. They were already sold out at 1 a.m.

"Originally, they had told us no one was allowed to be here until 5. If anybody was here before that, they were going to be escorted off the property," said Onyx Martinez, Pattinson fan.

Robert Pattinson gained his popularity after appearing in one of the Harry Potter films and is set to star in the upcoming Twilight movie based on the best-selling book by Stephanie Meyer.

At a similar event Monday in San Francisco, mall security was overwhelmed by nearly 3,000 teens and their parents. The mall had decided not to let people onto their property until the store's opening. When it did, people came running from all directions, a lot of pushing and shoving ensued, and one girl was hurt.

Hoping to avoid a similar situation in Orland Park, Hot Topic talked the Orland Park mall's management into allowing people to stand in line overnight. The problem is this decision was made too late for many who had already been discouraged from doing just that.

"It was like a late-night event in terms of actually getting things changed, then being able to get the barricades pulled together, so again that we could create a safe environment and a nice orderly environment," said Darrell Kinsley, Hot Topic spokesperson.

Alabama native Laura Foster and Lizzie Geier of Wisconsin are two of the lucky ones to have the prized wristbands that will allow them to get an autograph and personally meet Pattinson.

"I got in around 11:30, came straight (to the mall). I was lucky enough to get a wristband. I was number 409. There were already that many people at 12:30," said Foster.

"We're pretty pumped. It's going to be amazing," said Geier.

Even though only 500 tickets were sold for the meet and greet, those who were left without still get a chance to see the actor. There is a Q and A at the mall at 7:30 Wednesday night.

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Calling All Food Celebrity Autograph Collectors!

The third installment of the Fabulous Food Show will take over the I-X Center from Friday, November 14, through Sunday, November 16. Food celebs Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, Curtis Stone and Jason Roberts will be on hand to present cooking demos and sign autographs. Homegrown stars Michael Symon, Rocco Whalen and Dante Boccuzzi, among others, also will take part in the popular three-day event. Marianne Frantz and the Cleveland Wine School will showcase hundreds of wines, beers and spirits in the Grand Tasting Pavilion. New this year is the Best Sous Chef competition, which pits Pier W's Jack Ahern against Momocho's Justin Herl in a battle MC'd by Iron Chef Symon. Tickets: $25 ($27.50 day of show). Visit www.fabulousfoodshow.com for more info.

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The Chicago Sun-Times Sports Collectibles Show - Autograph Lineup

The Chicago Sun-Times Sports Collectibles Show returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Friday, November 21 through Sunday, November 23. From NFL superstars to baseball legends, athletes from a wide range of sports will be on hand to sign memorabilia.

Dreams Inc., the parent company of Mounted Memories and Schwartz Sports who are co-producing the show, acquired the 16-year-old collectibles show in September 2007, aiming to provide a bigger guest list and more services for dealers and attendees.

“The Chicago Sun-Times Sports Collectible Show is one of the great mainstay shows in the Chicago area,” said Brian Schwartz, president of Schwartz Sports. “Through our strategic relationships with athletes and their managers, we plan on continually offering high-quality stars that people want to meet.”

Friday night includes Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, one of the NFL’s greatest wide receivers, Jerry Rice, Chicago Cubs star catcher Geovany Soto and former Major League Baseball star and “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks.

Former Detroit Piston Isiah Thomas, Chicago Cub great Andre Dawson, former Bears' star Gale Sayers, 2008 NFL Hall of Fame inductee Art Monk and two Olympic softball champions—Cat Osterman and Jennie Finch will appear on Saturday. In addition, there will be a “Salute to the 1972 Undefeated Miami Dolphins,” including Coach Don Shula, Mercury Morris, Earl Morrall, Larry Little and Paul Warfield.

Sunday includes baseball's Dwight Gooden, Dave Winfield, Evan Longoria, Whitey Ford, Matt Holliday, Ryan Theriot and Eddie Murray. Also featured are two pairings from classic moments in World Series history including Mookie Wilson and Bill Buckner (1986) and Kirk Gibson and Dennis Eckersley (1988).

“This show is a mecca for sports fans, and we always look forward to providing them with the opportunity to meet their biggest idols,” said Mitch Adelstein, president of Mounted Memories.

Hours for the show are: Friday, November 21 from 5 pm to 9:30 pm, Saturday, November 22 from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and Sunday, November 23 from 9:30 am to 4 pm. Prices for autographed memorabilia vary.

The Chicago Sun-Times Sports Collectibles Show - Autograph Lineup
The Chicago Sun-Times Sports Collectibles Show - Autograph Lineup

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Something New to Autograph 101

Reprinted from AutographAlert.com

Just when you think you have a handle understanding the autograph industry, something new comes along.

One of our dedicated readers has advised us of at least one auction house who sells autographs has established a new rule.

The rule is: "Buyer responsible for shipping." These words may be overlooked as many bidders don't read all the auction house rules. Many collectors are more concerned about how much the auction house charges for a "Buyers Premium" In this case the auction house charged a whopping 20%.

What does "Buyer Responsible For Shipping" actually mean? It means exactly what it says. The auction house will not pack or ship the item! The auction house gives the winning bidder the phone number for the local UPS store and tells the buyer they have to arrange everything through the store.

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President-Elect Obama's 'Doodle' in Shore Collection

For millions of his supporters, Barack Obama's historic victory offers a sweeping change from what they see as eight years of disastrous domestic and foreign policy.

For a handful of Illinois politicians, Obama's win may mean a cabinet job or a move up the ladder of power.

For Northbrook's Wayne Berzon, Obama's win boosted both the historical and monetary value of a small piece of artwork. The Glenbrook High School District 225 Board member is an avid collector of baseball memorabilia and celebrity autographs. In his collection is a handmade and signed doodle Obama made on the floor of the U.S. Senate last year.

"I knew the guy had a great political career ahead of him, but who could know a year and a half ago that he would be President of the United States?" Berzon said.

How he got it

Berzon, an executive at a financial firm, bought the doodle during an online auction in May to benefit Neurofibramatosis Inc., a charity that researches the genetic disease that causes tumors to form on nerves.

Berzon recalled he figured he would buy it for about $700.

Some intense bidding drove the final price up to $2,075, and Berzon later learned he had been bidding against television actress Gillian Anderson of "The X Files," whose family is deeply involved with the charity.

But Berzon said he figured he still had a bargain in securing the doodle of the announced presidential contender.

"How often can you put your hands on an original from a man who's going potentially to be president of the United States? It could end up in his library one day," Berzon said.

What it depicts

The doodle is an informal sketch of a moment in time on the Senate floor. It features Senators Chuck Schumer, Majority Leader Harry Reid, Dianne Feinstein of California and Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. While not detailed portraits, the politicians are easily identifiable.

"He is really quite talented and his signature is very graphic. It's quite a neat little piece," Berzon said.

Berzon hasn't had any offers in the past week for the piece, but in the past he's been approached by Rosemary Anderson, Gillian's mother, a West Coast movie producer and a New York socialite.

Those were "pretty substantial offers," Berzon said, adding he's not interested in selling unless the price is "very right."

He said he likes the idea it may one day end up in Obama's presidential library.

President-elect Obama's 'Doodle' in Shore Collection
President-elect Obama's 'Doodle' in Shore Collection

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Pop Culture Celebrities Sign Autographs at New England Fan Experience Nov. 21-23

Pop Culture Celebrities Sign Autographs at New England Fan Experience Nov. 21-23

Fans will get to meet celebrities from TV, Movies, Sci-Fi, Science, including stars of the new movie "Twilight" at the New England Fan Experience at the Hyatt in Cambridge MA November 21-23.

The New England Fan Experience comes to the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cambridge, MA, Friday through Sunday, November 21-23, 2008. The event features 5 tracks of entertainment including Pop Culture, Science, Sci-Fi, Anime and Gaming with activities, speakers, autograph sessions, Dine with the Stars, Videos, panel sessions, photo opportunities, collectibles, games, networking and a Live concert by the J-Pop wonders The Slants.

Some of the Pop Culture celebrities appearing at NEFanX for autograph sessions and photo opportunities include:

James Kyson Lee currently stars as "Ando" on NBC's critically acclaimed drama "Heroes". James has guest-starred on hit TV shows such as "CSI", "Las Vegas", "The West Wing", "Heist", "Threat Matrix", "JAG", and "All About the Andersons".

Kellan Lutz newest gig is as the bear 'loving' Emmett Cullen in the new movie TWILIGHT. That film opens nation wide on November 21, 2008. And the New England Fan Experience, in partnership with Regal Cinemas, will present a Hollywood-style Red Carpet introduction of the film by Kellan. Fans are encouraged to come see Kellan, and the film, and then join the New England Fan Experience as we host Kellan all weekend. Kellan Lutz currently has a recurring role on the FOX reclaimed famous address of "90210". But Kellan has other great performances under his belt, notably as Cpl. Lilley in "Generation Kill" on HBO.

Edi Gathegi (Pop Culture Experience) is an up and coming young actor whose work ranges from prime time to the silver screen. You will also be able to see Edi this winter playing Laurent in the highly anticipated TWILIGHT movie, adapted from Stephenie Meyer's New York Times Bestselling novel. In his most recent recurring role on the FOX hit television series, “HOUSE,” he plays Dr. Cole also known as "Big Love", one of many new interns hazed by Dr. House. He just made a special guest appearance on the new show “Life On Mars.”

Daniel Logan is best known for his portrayal of the young Boba Fett in Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones, is a New Zealand native who started acting when he was 10 years old. Daniel has appeared in commercials and TV, including a recurring roll in episodes of the New Zealand medical series "Shortland Street", guest appearance in the international hit Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, the short film, "Falling Sparrows" and provided the lead & supporting voices in 2 animated series' "Tamota" and "Takapu." Daniel's most recent project was starring in "The Legend of Johnny Lingo."

Morena Baccarin is a Brazilian actress of Italian origins, best known for her roles as Inara Serra in the sci-fi television series “Firefly,” and as Adria, in Sci-Fi Channel series “Stargate SG-1.”

Robert Picardo born October 27, 1953, is an Emmy Award-nominated American actor. He
may be best known for his portrayals of Dr. Dick Richards on ABC's “China Beach,” the Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH) also known as The Doctor, on “Star Trek: Voyager,” as The Cowboy in “Innerspace,” as Joe "The Meat Man" Morton on “Home Improvement,” Coach Cutlip on “The Wonder Years” and as Richard Woolsey on Sci-Fi Channel’s “Stargate” SG-1” and “Stargate: Atlantis.”

Mark Goddard is most famous for his roles in the TV series "Johnny Ringo" (1959) and "Lost In Space" (1965-68) as Major Don West, the gung-ho but fearless pilot of the Jupiter 2, the spaceship of the Robinson family. In 1998 he made a return to "Lost In Space" when he appeared as the General in the movie of the same name.
Gary Sohmers is known in the media and collecting world as the "King of Pop Culture". He produces, and hosts the syndicated talk radio show "Calling All Collectors" and appears as an appraiser in Collectibles, Memorabilia and Toys on the Emmy Nominated PBS television program “Antiques Roadshow". Gary will be doing verbal appraisals of collectibles, memorabilia and toys for attendees all weekend for a small donation to the Red Cross.

Activities include: Art Show, Autographs Sessions, Banquets and Breakfasts with The Celebrities, Browse our Vendors, Costuming, Fan Panels, Karaoke, Model Building Contest and Workshop, Photos Opportunities with the Celebrities, Concerts and a Themed Dance.

The schedule is online at www.NEFanX.com

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BondStars.com Report - Merchandise Available

We have some more rare items on eBay including a signed Goldfinger poster a Spy Who Loved Me Reunion signed by the cast and crew including Sir Roger Moore.
http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=bondstars

Daniel Craig kindly donated his Omega Deville watch for this years Children In Need appeal. For more information please visit the following page
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/news/news241008b.shtml

Don't forget the Memorabilia show at the Birmingham N.E.C on the 22nd and 23rd of November 2008, guests include Honor Blackman, Maud Adams, Shirley Eaton, Tania Mallett, Margaret Nolan, Britt Ekland and Madeline Smith. For more information please visit www.memorabilia.co.uk

Issue 4 of MI6 Declassified is out now

Bond is back! Was it possible to squeeze in 007 star Daniel Craig, director Marc Forster, and producers Michael G. Wilson & Barbara Broccoli all talking about the 22nd James Bond adventure in to a regular issue? No! Which is why MI6 Declassified issue #4 is an extended Quantum of Solace bumper special edition that includes an in-depth look behind the scenes of the new film, crammed with exclusive photographs you won’t see anywhere else.

Along with features on the villain, girls, and tie-in videogame, you’ll come to regard this of MI6 Declassified as your companion to “Quantum of Solace” as it opens in theatres around the world.

The fourth issue includes:
- Solace Is Golden : Go behind the scenes of Quantum of Solace through six countries and its 103 day shooting schedule, packed with exclusive photographs
- Bond vs. Greene : Daniel Craig and Mathieu Amalric talk about their characters’ adversarial relationship
- Meet The New Bond Girls : Introducing Olga Kurylenko as the feisty Camille and Gemma Arterton as Agent Fields
- Daniel Craig and Marc Forster on 007 : The director and James Bond star talk to MI6 Declassified about 22nd adventure and how the character has evolved
- Round-Table Interview : Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli discuss bringing Bond to the big screen
- Quantum of Solace The Game : Activision lift the lid on how they produced the new 007 videogame
- Writing Bond : Five authors dissect Ian Fleming’s creation: 007’s past, present and future
- The Bond Connection : Actor Jean Dujardin on how he brought 007’s predecessor OSS 117 back to the silver screen
- The Last Word : Artist Richie Fahey takes Bond back to '60s with pulp paperback designs

Issue #4 is now shipping around the world.

To order online, visit http://www.mi6magazine.com

BondStars.com Report
BondStars.com Report

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Cal Ripken, Jr. / Yogi Berra in NYC for Charity Event

Some Super 8s are getting together at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center on Tuesday. That's when Cal Ripken will team up with Yogi Berra for a charity autograph session. Ripken rarely does public signings, but proceeds from this appearance from 1-3 p.m. will benefit the museum's education programs. Last February, Yogi helped the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation raise a record $1.5 million at that charity's annual gala. The YBMLC and Ripken Foundation also partnered on a series of camps and educational programs at Montclair State for children in Elizabeth and Newark last summer. After Tuesday's signing, Ripken will participate in Yogi's annual gala at the museum in Upper Montclair. There will be some other Great 8s in action as fellow Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Gary Carter also will take part. Sponsorship opportunities for the event begin at $1,500. For more information, call (973) 655-2378.

Ripken was the guest of honor last week in Delaware at Colorado Rockies scout Will George's fundraiser at the Rookery Golf Course. George's beautiful wife Flo died in 2007 from breast cancer. The event raises money to help fund American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge of Philadelphia, which provides no-cost housing for cancer patients and their families. George and Ripken were roommates in the Orioles' minor-league system.

"Cal kept moving up and I kept getting left back," George said jokingly to The Post's Kevin Kernan, before adding, "Cal is a guy who never has forgotten his friends. He was so gracious. It was a great day."

YankeesNew York Yankees GM Brian Cashman and pro scouting director Billy Eppler contributed significant Yankees items to the event. Ripken's father Cal Sr. died of lung cancer at age 63. Ripken was paired with Cardinals scout Joe Rigoli, who lost his mother to cancer at age 56.

"Cal was just wonderful, we didn't talk much about baseball, we just had a great time playing golf and enjoying the course," Rigoli said. "Cal hit some long drives that are still going, they would have been out of any ballpark."

Go to www.scoutingforacure.org to help.

Cal Ripken, Jr. / Yogi Berra in NYC
Cal Ripken, Jr. / Yogi Berra in NYC

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'Twilight' Cast Signed Shirts And Kissed Fans At First 'Spoilers' Special

The Fine Arts Theatre was rocking tonight, as MTV, "Twilight" and hundreds of shrieking Twilighters packed a taping for MTV's new movies show, "Spoilers" (premiering Friday, November 14 at 7:30). Needless to say, a dazzling night was had by all.

Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Kellan Lutz, Peter Facinelli, Jackson Rathbone, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Edi Gathegi and "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke were all in attendance as MTV paid tribute to the highly anticipated film, coming to theaters November 21.

The evening began with the film's stars walking down the blood-red carpet, strolling past screaming fans as they went inside to introduce never-before-seen footage from the flick, based on the best-selling novel by Stephenie Meyer. (Check out some photos from the event here.)

"Shut up!" screamed Robert Pattinson from the stage playfully, attempting to be heard over the hundreds of shouting fans as he stood alongside his co-stars. Recruited by the MTV Movies Blog, the hardcore Twilighter audience had flown in from all over the world, and their "Team Edward" and "Bite Me" T-shirts showed that these were some spider monkeys eager to hang on for a wild ride.

After the lights went down, the fans were treated to an extended clip of the ballet-studio battle, the "Bella's Lullaby" scene as performed by RPattz, full footage of Edward taking Bella to the top of an enormous tree to show her "my world" and the beloved Port Angeles scene. As fans screamed and applauded for the first appearances of Emmett, Alice and the others, they also saw the wooded scene where Edward reveals himself as a vampire, Bella's love showing off his house (complete with cooking Cullens) and the kiss scene that left so many in the theater dreaming that they were Kristen Stewart.

After the lights came back up, Hardwicke took the stage to answer questions from hardcore fans who said they were fresh off the plane from places such as Boston, Texas and Vancouver — many had lined up as early as 8 a.m. for the evening's event. The night's biggest surprise happened moments later, however, when fan faves Lautner, Facinelli, Lutz, Greene, Rathbone and Gathegi came out onstage to join in on the fun.

Hardwicke crossed her fingers when asked about sequels, Lutz told a story about a fan who kept buying him hot dogs at a football game, and Taylor Lautner tried his best to explain how he'll grow a foot before they shoot "New Moon."

As the stars smiled and teased each other, the fans kept lining up with more questions, and the stars took every single one. One Twilighter was selected by the stars to come up onstage and get her shirt signed — but the evening's biggest winner asked Lautner for a kiss. Eager to please, the actor leaped from the stage, ran into the crowd and planted one firmly on her cheek.

Keep your eyes on MTV, Twilighters, because we'll be posting footage of the Q&A with the cast soon. And don't forget: Even if you couldn't make it to Beverly Hills tonight, you'll have your own front row seat to all the "Twilight" fun when "Spoilers" premieres on MTV November 14 at 7:30 p.m.

We've got the biggest exclusives from tomorrow's blockbusters today. Check out the premiere of MTV's "Spoilers" on Friday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m., for first looks at "Twilight," "Watchmen," "Bride Wars," "Bedtime Stories" and "The Day the Earth Stood Still." And before the most-anticipated film of the year, "Twilight," opens November 21, we're celebrating with 10 Days of "Twilight," featuring exclusive interviews, scenes, photos and more.

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Military.com Members and Active Duty Personnel - 15% Off Autographed Celebrity Merchandise

Receive 15% off any purchase of celebrity signed collectibles listed on our website unless stated otherwise. We have authentic movie, music and entertainment celebrity autographed items including photos, albums, CD's, etc. including Jonas Brothers, Johnny Depp, Miley Cyrus, Bon Jovi, Madonna, Harrison Ford, Harry Potter cast, etc. Please use discount code A1028 upon check-out. Simply place your order online, provide the coupon code or state your service and your discount will be added to your invoice. You can also call us 410-241-5974 or Send us an email if you wish to order by phone or have a question.


Strickler's Celebrity Autographs: We offer authentic hand-signed movie, music, entertainment, historical and sports autographed memorabilia. Please browse our unique and certified selection of autograph photos. Strickler's Celebrity Autographs

Eligibility: Active Duty Personnel & Military Families, Military.com Members

Expires: 12/31/2010 - no use limit

Military.com Members and Active Duty Personnel - 15% Off Autographed Celebrity Merchandise
Military.com Members and Active Duty Personnel - 15% Off Autographed Celebrity Merchandise

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Southpaws in the Oval Office

Interesting fact: Though 7-10 percent of the adult population of the United States write with their left hand, 5 of the last 7 U.S. Presidents (including President-elect Barack Obama) were southpaws. The list includes (38)Gerald Ford, (40)Ronald Reagan, (41)George H.W. Bush, (42)Bill Clinton and (44)Barack Obama. (39)Jimmy Carter and (43)George W. Bush were right-handed...and both had very less-than-stellar terms in office. Note: John McCain is also left-handed

Southpaws in the Oval Office
Southpaws in the Oval Office

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Sally Struthers in 'Nunsense' - Bloomington, Illinois

Two-time Emmy award winner Sally Struthers stopped in Bloomington, Illinois, last night as the lead character in the play, Nunsense, at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. Struthers is best known for her role as Gloria Bunker Stivic on the long-running television sitcom All in the Family.

I arrived about five minutes before her bus pulled into the backstage area at the facility. The production manager asked that we wait until after the performance for autographs and photographs since Sally was in the "pre-show" zone. So....about four hours later we met Sally as she departed the backstage door for her tour bus. Although it was extremely windy, cold, and beginning to spit snow, she gladly stopped for this photo and signed one 8 x 10.

Thanks Kevin!

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Ben Stiller on 'Weird Fan Encounters'

I’ve actually been asked for an autograph at a funeral, which I find inappropriate. Right? Right? I gave it to them. I mean, you don’t want to lose a fan. I figured that their family was actually closer to the deceased than I was, so I didn’t want to rain on their parade even more. When you’re living your life, you want to relax a little bit; enjoy the funeral, you know what I mean?

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Rare American Racer Book On eBay

Most serious enthusiasts are familiar with Steve Wright's first two books, American Racer 1900-1940 and American Racer 1940-1980. Published in 1986, the original print runs of the books are both amazingly rare and renown for their depth and quality.

I seem to recall that Wright published the books himself originally and in very small quantities in the mid-1980s. After that, Motorbooks became involved and published both books in larger numbers (any of the original printing books are rare).

I was at Daytona in 1987 and remember seeing Wright's books on display at the convention center. He had a limited number of the original self-published books on hand there which featured a different cover and also featured autographs by many of the racing stars from the 1950s to the 1980s. A very cool book then and now but the then price of $50 scared me off.

I've never seen another copy of any of the autographed, self-published versions of the books since that day in 1987.

Former AMA VP of Competition, Merrill Vanderslice, helped Wright when he restored the TZ700 that Roberts won Indy with in 1974. As a gesture of thanks, Wright gave Vanderslice one of the original books, autographs and all.

I have no idea what this book is worth. What I do know is that I own a lot of books, buy a lot of books and read a lot of motorcycle books and I have not seen an autograph version of American Racer in over twenty years.

Many of the autographs in the original book cannot be replicated now as the riders have passed away.

American Racer 1940 - 1980 Original Race 40 Autographs on eBay

Rare American Racer Book On eBay
Rare American Racer Book On eBay

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Great Moments Signings - Marchetti, Heap, McCrary and Leonhard

Gino Marchetti
Free Autograph

PUBLIC SIGNING

Saturday,
November 8, 2008
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Receive a free Gino Marchetti autograph coupon with a $20.00
In-Store purchase only.

Free autograph coupons are limited.
Each Great Moments location has a limited number of coupons available.

White Marsh Location

Todd Heap
Baltimore Ravens

PUBLIC SIGNING

Monday,
November 10, 2008
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Flat/Mini Helmet Autographs
$40.00

Jersey/Football/Helmet Autographs
$50.00

Receive a free autograph with the purchase of a Reebok On Field Authentic Jersey.
While Supplies Last

White Marsh Location

Michael McCrary
Baltimore Ravens

PUBLIC SIGNING

Tuesday,
November 18, 2008
6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Autographs
$20.00

White Marsh Location Also

________________________________________

Annual Canned Food Drive

Jim Leonhard - Baltimore Ravens
PUBLIC SIGNING

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Receive a free autograph with a non-perishable donation

Westminster Location

______________________________________

Great Moments

140 Village Shopping Center

Westminster, MD 21157

(410) 876-6906

______

Jay's Great Moments

Fairgrounds Center

Timonium, MD 21093

(410) 252-4900

_____

Great Moments - White Marsh

THE AVENUE at White Marsh

Baltimore, MD 21236

(410) 931-7080

Great Moments, Inc.

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Annie Leibovitz Book Signing Events

Annie Leibovitz, world famous photographer, will be signing copies of her book A Photographer's Life: 1990-2005 at the following locations:

11/25/08 7:30 PM at Books & Books - Aragon Avenue. Coral Gables, FL.
12/2/08 at the Chicago Public Library – North Michigan Avenue. Chicago, IL.
12/3/08 8:00 PM at the 92nd Street Y – Lexington Avenue. New York, NY.
12/11/08 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – East 17th Street. New York, NY.

Annie Leibovitz Book Signing Events
Annie Leibovitz Book Signing Events

Book Signings & Events

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Fans Celebrate Rays' Success In Downtown Tampa

Fans turned out this afternoon to cheer the Tampa Bay Rays' remarkable season one last time.

Dozens of people attended the free rally at Lykes Gaslight Square park in downtown Tampa from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rays pitchers Dan Wheeler and Andy Sonnanstine and pitching coach Jim Hickey signed autographs while fans, some of them still sporting Rayhawks, signed a banner that will be presented to the team later.

"Thanks Rays for such a great season and especially for beating the Red Sox," David Rosenberg Sr. wrote.

"You brought lots of joy to our community. Thank you," another person wrote.

Paul Maiville, of Tampa, talked about how much fun it was to be a fan this year.

"The excitement just built with each game and our hopes just kept soaring with each game, each win, the good plays, the wonderful entertainment," he said. "The only negative thing I have to say is the umpires need some glasses."

Mayor Pam Iorio declared today "Tampa Bay Rays Appreciation Day." She talked about all the national attention during the Rays' playoff run when reporters from outside the area asked her how the Rays could be doing so well.

"How could we possibly be in the World Series? We're a city of champions. We've won the Super Bowl. We've won the Stanley Cup. We've won the Arena Bowl. We're hosting our fourth Super Bowl on Feb. 1. I said, of course, we're going to win the World Series, if not in '08, then we'll win it next year."

Tampa Bay Rays President Matthew Silverman thanked the fans for all their support during the season.

"The passion that you all displayed helped carry us to the best home record in the major leagues. From the Mohawks to the cowbells, which hopefully won't collect too much dust this offseason, to the unbridled passion you displayed at Tropicana Field during the stretch run into the playoffs, it's something none of us will ever forget," he said.

It's only about 100 days until opening day against the New York Yankees, Silverman noted.

"We look ahead to the magic of 2009."

Fans Celebrate Rays' Success In Downtown Tampa
Fans Celebrate Rays' Success In Downtown Tampa

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Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States

Here's Barack Obama, your next President of the United States.

This shot was taken during President-elect Obama's visit to a town hall meeting in Jacksonville, Illinois, in 2006. He signed a Time magazine cover and an 8x10 and posed for this photograph as he arrived at the event.

Thanks Kevin!

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Denis Leary Book Signing Events

Denis Leary, star of “Rescue Me”, will be signing copies of his book Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy, and Stupid at the following locations:

11/18/08 7:30 PM at Borders Books – Penn Plaza. New York, NY.
11/19/08 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Richmond Avenue. Staten Island, NY.
11/24/08 12:30 PM at Barnes & Noble – Prudential Center. Boston, MA.
12/1/08 7:00 PM at Book Soup - Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA.
12/2/08 7:30 PM at Barnes & Noble – Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA.
12/5/08 7:00 PM at Borders Books – North Michigan Avenue. Chicago, IL.

Denis Leary Book Signing Events
Denis Leary Book Signing Events

Book Signings & Events

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Hockey Fans Want Autographs On Everything!

Gloves dropped and Sharpie clutched, Calgary Flames forward Curtis Glencross exhibits a business-like demeanour -- snapping off signature after signature.

On whatever. For whomever.

In one 30-second blip after practice last month at the Banff Recreational Centre, Glencross, with his well-grooved swirls, jots on a Tonka dump truck . . . a (circa 1985) neon-yellow Sony Walkman . . . a near-new and mainly white hoodie.

Besides asking the tween-aged wearer of the sweatshirt if her mother would be OK with the felt-tipped defacing, it was just another autograph session for Glencross.

Or any National Hockey League player, for that matter.

"Oh, you sign everything," Glencross, one of the newest members of the Flames, says. "When you were a kid, you wanted an autograph, you know? There's not one thing specifically. Pucks. Sticks. Jerseys. Shirts. All that kind of stuff."

All that kind of stuff, sure.

And, of course, there are those, uh, other demands.

When asked about the strangest, Craig Conroy does not hesitate -- nor hide his disapproval.

"Someone wanted me to sign their baby -- like, actually their baby."

Come on. Really?

"Yeah, their baby!" he says. "They were, like, 'Can you sign my baby?' I was, like, 'A baby? I'm not signing a baby.' Naw. I declined that."

In the middle of this understandable rant, Robyn Regehr saunters by and, with the finesse of someone casting a fly, casually offers a single sentence -- "I signed some pink underwear the other day" -- and continues his merry way across the dressing room.

Hook set, Regehr awaits the reporter's arrival.

He doesn't wait long.

"I knew I'd have to clarify that one," says Regehr, grinning, "or I could get into trouble."

The veteran explains that a recent commercial shoot featured him at a washing machine, mixing reds with whites -- the comical result being pink garments. After filming, the crew asked Regehr to autograph a few items, including the aforementioned dainties.

"A pair of Stanfield's men's underwear," says Regehr, indicating the size by holding his hands about two feet apart. "But they were clean."

Empty canvases such as bambinos and briefs are only examples of what's in store for the accommodating pro.

Because, for NHLers, requests are ongoing and never ending. And collectors can be creative.

Not all one-of-a-kind situations, however, are cringe-inducing.

"You know what I signed that was pretty cool?" says Cory Sarich.

In the aftermath of the 2004 Stanley Cup final -- captured by his Tampa Bay Lightning -- Sarich's hometown parade ride was in a mint-condition red convertible, and wouldn't you know it? The Cup left a silver ring on the hood.

A disaster? Nope, an opportunity.

"The owner had me come and sign it for him."

Other demands, hero worship being what it is, we're not likely to hear much about.

"We've been asked to sign pretty much whatever you see in the movies -- not that you would have signed them," says Jarome Iginla, choosing his words carefully. "But somewhere along the line or in the mail ... yeah, there have been some unique things. I haven't had anything too crazy, but, one time or another, over 12 years ..."

Without much prompting, Adrian Aucoin gets right to it.

"I haven't had too many female body parts yet -- but I'm sure some guys have."

Well, David Moss does know body parts. "Kids always ask you to sign their forehead or something," says Moss. "I signed a kid's arm once. I'd said no, but he got sad. You don't like to sign skin. It's a little weird. Other than that, it's good, especially if it's kids. A lot of time they're in shock. "Everyone's been there at one point in time, so you can understand."

There is truth to Moss's words. Because even big-league regulars, at one time, were on the other side of the paper. Most of the Flames have been that runny-nosed kid -- the one shyly proffering the ripped program, the one hoping to share that split-second of interaction with an idol. Along that career arc many a Papermate has been extinguished, many a geography class frittered, all in the name of artistic
penmanship.

Hockey Fans Want Autographs On Everything
Hockey Fans Want Autographs On Everything

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HEY, AMERICA!

VOTE!

Bush Is Easy, Obama Is Tough...As Far As Getting Autographs

With presidential fever in high gear, celebrity autograph news site HoundsTV.com decided to investigate the signing habits of the last few U.S. Presidents - and the future one. Some interesting conclusions were reached:

"*George W. Bush* will probably go down as one of the best presidents for signing autographs. And the soon-to-be president - *Barack Obama* might just become one of the worst for being able to land that coveted in-person signature."

Obama 10 times the value of McCain.

"Authentic Obama autographs on items like photographs or magazines are going for big money right now. The stuff people know to be truly authentic and witnessed to be signed by Obama has been getting prices *on eBay* in the range of $1,000 to $2,000. More than double what the most former Presidents command. And much more than *Senator John McCain autographed photos* which have been known to trade in the $100 range this year."

Barack Obama Autograph
Barack Obama Autograph

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Alexander Autographs to Auction Historic Memorabilia - From Atom Bomb to First Apple Computers - November 6-7

Including the Most Important Uniform of the Century - The Flight Suit Worn by "Enola Gay" Pilot Paul Tibbets When He Dropped the A-Bomb on Hiroshima - and The Original Sign Used by Apple Computer at First Trade Show

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Start the bidding! One-of-a-kind items from history's most iconic personalities -- including JFK, Jack Ruby, Adolf Hitler, Oskar Schindler and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak -- will be up for auction at Alexander Autographs on November 6-7. The offerings include the flight suit worn by pilot Paul Tibbets when his plane, the Enola Gay, dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945); expected to be the auction's biggest ticket item (Estimate $150,000-$250,000).

The live auction (November 6, 10am and November 7, 10am) from Alexander Autographs (http://alexautographs.com/, a leader in historic autographs and sports and music memorabilia, will offer collectors an opportunity to own a piece of history -- both American and foreign, including documents, letters, vintage posters, signed photos, relics, guitars:

-General Paul W. Tibbets' Flight Suit, worn on the Enola Gay, when he dropped the world's first atom bomb used in warfare on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945). Considered the most important uniform of the 20th Century. (Estimate: $150,000-$250,000)
-The Original Sign Used by Apple Computer at First Trade Show (1976) (Estimate: $15,000-$20,000). A true icon of American industry, this is the first sign used by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak to promote their fledgling start-up. Also, Steve Wozniak's heavily-used blue steel tool box, an extraordinary relic with which he built the first Apple II computer (Estimate: $3,000-$5,000)
-Hitler's Official Order Firing Field Marshal Rommel (essentially his Death Warrant), September 4, 1944. One of the most significant, history-making World War II documents in existence, issued following Hitler's discovery of Rommel's involvement in the unsuccessful July 20, 1944 bomb attempt on his life. (Estimate: $40,000-$60,000)
-Ultra-rare signed photo of Oskar Schindler ("Schindler's List"), the only such signed photo ever seen, sent to the Jewish man who made the ring presented to Schindler as the "Schindler Jews" were liberated. (Estimate: $20,000-$30,000)
-Never-before-released tapes/notes from a member of the defense team defense team of Jack Ruby, the man who shot Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK's assassin. They show that Ruby may NOT have reacted impulsively when he pulled the trigger. (Estimate: $12,000-$14,000)
-Senator John F. Kennedy Letter in support of the Equal Rights Amendment for women. "I most emphatically favor non-discriminatory treatment of women..." (Estimate: $2000-$4000)
-Frederick Douglass Letter about being appointed Minister to Haiti. Douglass, an African-American reformer who was born a slave, was the first black ambassador. (Estimate: $12,000-$15,000)

The auction contains almost 1900 lots of documents and other items that would appeal to every collector -- from Revolutionary War, Civil War, Presidents and Politicians, to Kings, Popes, Artists, Authors, Entertainers, Rock & Roll and Sports.

Every lot in the sale may be viewed online at www.alexautographs.com or at Alexander Autographs' offices (860 Canal Street, 2nd floor, Stamford, CT) on sale days prior to the start of the auction, or earlier by appointment. Bidders may register by calling their offices at 203.276.1570 or in person on sale days

Alexander Autographs Auction
Alexander Autographs Auction

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Autograph Signing Just Part of the Job - 'You Sign Everything'

Gloves dropped and Sharpie clutched, Curtis Glencross exhibits a businesslike demeanour -- snapping off signature after signature.

On whatever. For whomever.

In one 30-second blip after practice last month at the Banff Recreational Centre, Glencross jotted on a Tonka dump truck, a neon-yellow Sony Walkman and a mainly white hoodie.

Besides asking the tween-aged wearer of the sweatshirt if her mother would be OK with the felt-tipped defacing, it was just another autograph session for Glencross.

Or any National Hockey League player, for that matter.

"Oh, you sign everything," Glencross says. "When you were a kid, you wanted an autograph, you know? There's not one thing specifically. Pucks. Sticks. Jerseys. Shirts. All that kind of stuff."

And, of course, there are those other demands.

"Someone wanted me to sign their baby -- like, actually their baby." Craig Conroy says. "I was, like, 'A baby? I'm not signing a baby.' Naw. I declined that."

Cory Sarich signed the red convertible he rode in a hometown parade after Tampa Bay won the 2004 Stanley Cup. The Cup left a silver ring on the hood and the owner asked Sarich to autograph it.

"We've been asked to sign pretty much whatever you see in the movies," Jarome Iginla says, "not that you would have signed them."

"I haven't had too many female body parts yet," Adrian Aucoin adds, "but I'm sure some guys have."

David Moss signed a child's arm once. "I'd said no, but he got sad. You don't like to sign skin. It's a little weird. Other than that, it's good, especially if it's kids. A lot of time they're in shock.

"Everyone's been there at one point in time, so you can understand."

Most of the Flames have been that runny-nosed kid hoping to share that split-second of interaction with an idol. And many worked on their own autographs when they were young.

"I used to practise and practise and practise," Dion Phaneuf. "I probably should have been studying more. It was always something that you were working on and thought was really cool. And you hoped one day you'd be able to use it."

To satisfy as many requests as possible, however, those carefully crafted signatures have become one-flick whorls.

"Mine used to be legible," Aucoin says. "Now? You can't read anything."

Still the payers insist that they don't mind signing, even for the professional autograph seekers.

"If it's a big crowd, you try to get the kids first ... and understand what the adults are really trying to do," says Todd Bertuzzi, who refuses to dump on the money-makers. "I don't think you can take it away from them ... you have to respect that they're trying to make a living, too."

Others, are less forgiving. An eBay search produces 480 hits for Iginla, 219 for Phaneuf.

________________________________________________

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Autograph Signing Just Part of the Job - 'You Sign Everything'
Autograph Signing Just Part of the Job - 'You Sign Everything'

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For Ex-USC Tailback Anthony Davis, It's Now Cash-and-Carry

Here I am, wondering why I'm at this pig roast, USC about to slaughter the worst team in the nation, and it's not Stanford, so nothing can go wrong.

It's a waste-of-time game, and I'm here only to write about some USC fan who takes delight in being known as "syco." That's when I spot Anthony Davis.

Davis is seated at a small table in the middle of tailgaters about 40 yards from Tommy Trojan. He looks as if he's still wearing his Halloween costume, a black and silver suit with a tie and a No. 28 inside a swoosh across his chest.

He has a stack of photos in front of him, and he's signing autographs: "Best wishes always, Anthony Davis." Now isn't that nice, until the other hand reaches out for the money.

"Ten dollars," he says when I ask. "You want one?"

Tempting as it is, I pass.

A youngster approaches Davis with an open autograph book. Davis turns the kid away because the youngster is penniless. The kid shows the unsigned book to his dad, and his dad asks Davis for an explanation.

Davis finally agrees to give the kid an autograph, so long as his old man drops a five spot into the box.

"Is it really cool to charge for your autograph?" I ask.

"It goes to the Anthony Davis Foundation," says Davis, and while he's none too happy with the question, there isn't any mention of the foundation on the table or the box.

I would think that would make a difference, turning what might appear to be a pathetic-looking situation -- the aged athlete trying to still capitalize on a big day 34 years ago -- instead into a noble effort to raise money for needy kids.

"I put six kids through school who otherwise couldn't afford to go to school," Davis says. "I wouldn't be out here without a reason."

That sounds like a wonderful cause, and what a great picture it would make -- six kids standing arm in arm -- taped to the top of the box.

But later when I ask USC officials about the foundation, everyone remembers the role Davis played in the comeback to beat Notre Dame, but no one knows anything about the foundation.

The computer-savvy kid sitting next to me in the Coliseum who blogs about USC and UCLA for The Times, says he can look up tax returns for nonprofit organizations. These kids today are so bright, and hopefully dedicated to writing for only Page 1 in the sports section.

The kid pulls up a 2006 return for the Davis Foundation. It starts in July and runs through Dec. 31, taking in more than $31,000 -- $13,250 going to scholarships and the rest to expenses.

Maybe 2007 was better, because it's got to take more than $13,250 to get six kids through USC, but the kid couldn't find a tax return for 2007.

Now I'm no rookie when it comes to the Internet, so I do a Google search for "Anthony Davis Foundation" and it brings me to "Notre Dame Killer," a site dedicated to Davis. The site offers signed helmets for $265 and autographed footballs for $150.

I wonder whether all that money goes to the foundation. There's no mention.

In fact, I couldn't find any place on the site where someone might donate to the foundation. And no mention of the six needy kids. The guy sure is humble.

There's only a brief mention of the foundation in the last paragraph of his bio right above this quote from Davis: "Not a day has gone by when people don't talk to me about the game."

I'm sure he's done more in his life than what he accomplished 34 years ago one day against Notre Dame. Putting six kids through USC tops that.

And with all the money that's going into that 6box week after week, you would think that quote would read: "Not a day has gone by when people don't pat me on the back for helping out kids."

I guess he just needs to do a better job of letting people know what he's really accomplished in his life.

I BUMPED into Davis by accident. He was signing next to Roy Nwaisser's tailgating party.

A friend of Nwaisser's e-mailed to say Nwaisser was going to his 200th consecutive USC game, and you can imagine my first reaction: Stop the presses.

Nwaisser hasn't missed a Trojans game in 17 years and tries to get on TV holding up a license plate that reads: "USC SYCO."

You can understand why Davis caught my attention.

I'm sure Nwaisser has a number of really nice stories to tell about his travels. And he seems like a great guy, almost normal, saying it's only 12 days of his life each year, so then why should anyone care?

Giles Pellerin went to 797 consecutive Trojans games before he died. His brother Oliver went to 637 consecutive games. And his brother Max went to 300-plus, nobody keeping track because when your brother has gone to twice as many games, who cares?

Tim Tessalone, USC's PR guy, went to 243 games before missing a game, the only thing I remember about that is everyone hoping he might extend his streak of missed games to two.

Maybe in another 40 years or so when Nwaisser gets to within 100 games of Pellerin, one of his friends might get in touch with the kid who has taken over Page 2 and see if he's interested.

My guess, as smart as these kids are today, is he won't be.

Ex-USC Tailback Anthony Davis
Ex-USC Tailback Anthony Davis

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Global Economic Environment Influences to Autographs

Written by David Loewenherz

Dear Collectors and Colleagues,

If you are like me, you have been thinking a lot about how the current global economic environment influences your family, profession and future.

Some of you might even be thinking about how it affects your hobby of collecting autographs and manuscripts—you can be sure I have given that a lot of thought.

Perhaps you are interested to know how things look from my perspective.

The last couple of years have been very good due, in part, to the strengthening of the Euro against the US dollar. During that time we sold two seven-figure collections: a unique assemblage of over 300 letters by impressionist and post impressionist painters (including three letters by van Gogh and 120 by Monet) and a major Einstein archive containing many important scientific manuscripts. There have also been six-figure sales: more Einstein collections, another van Gogh letter, a collection of Toulouse Lautrec letters, etc. A good number of these pieces went into the European trade, suggesting that there is “new blood” in the market while the Euro to Dollar relationship still retained its relevancy.

Recently, however, as the dollar paradoxically started to regain strength against the Euro and the topsy-turvy global stock markets began to wreak havoc on the sleep of billions of people, I became concerned about my participation at the Frankfurt (Germany) Antiquarian Book Fair from which I just returned on October 20th. Despite the fear of financial doom, buyers were still present and accounted for. In fact, the two most expensive items I brought with me, an important manuscript fragment of Heinrich Heine and a collection of letters by the early Zionist and author, Dr. Max Nordau, both found buyers.

What lessons can I draw from these events? There are several. First and foremost is that I realized the world is not coming to an end and so I sleep better at night. I also better understand that although the relationship between the Euro and the Dollar is an important one, the time-worn observation that quality “sells” is still valid. Naturally, there needs to be a sensible relationship between quality and price and, of course, it is difficult for many of us to concentrate on “luxury” items when our financial future feels precarious. But, this, too, shall pass. I’ve been through painful hyper-inflation, the 1987 crash, the downturn in the early 1990s, the dot.com bubble, the post 9/11 period, and so on.

In conclusion, after 31 years in the business, I believe I still have a couple of more decades in me to be filled with exciting purchases and discoveries. For those of you who are established clients, your credit is still good with us. For those who may have never bought from us before, we still believe in lay-away plans. For those of you too worried to continue with your hobby at this time, I understand. Remember, though, even Warren Buffett puts his pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us, and that we all need to move forward with our lives, our goals and our dreams. Hopefully, we as a nation will learn how to use our hard earned cash more wisely in the future and not spend more than we can afford. Even though my business is small and took a long time to grow, for years I have done better than General Motors—Lion Heart Autographs makes a profit, its employees get and keep their benefits, they have retirement plans, and they do not face lay-offs.

I will have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving—a loving and healthy family, good friends, devoted and conscientious employees, and enough rational self-confidence to believe that things will inevitably get better: maybe not as soon as we would like, but probably sooner than we think.

Global Economic Environment Influences to Autographs
Global Economic Environment Influences to Autographs

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Celebrities Signing Autographs at the National TV Awards in London

Celebrities attending the National TV Awards in London. Holly Willoughby, Sarah Dunn, Emma Rigby, Nick Pickard, Ruth Langsford, Helen Flanaghan, Claire Cooper, Barbara Windsor, Roxanne Mckee, Carly Stenson, Alesha Dixon, Perry Fenwick, Jake Short, The Stig, Justin Lee Collins, Robert Kazinsky, Tess Daly, Ant & Dec, Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Catherine Tate and Dermot O' Leary are seen attending.

Celebrities Signing Autographs at the National TV Awards in London
Celebrities Signing Autographs at the National TV Awards in London

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