IS IT THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF AN ERA???

             All My life, and my son to; We have looked at the glass being half full and always found something good in everyone and everything. Today something happened that is becomg more alarming and something that anyone who Collects Autographs should begin to ponder. Recently MICHAEL J. FOX was on the David Lettermans show and mentioned something that should open all our eyes. He said to Letterman , At every airport people are shoving BACK TO THE FUTURE items in his face that he signs and he feels he is signing their paychecks because all of it it being sold. I did see once how some of the hunters did bombard Fox and though he did not sign in that episode , it was horrific. But in many cases the Hunt for the autograph is the challenge and I have said it before You have to be really stupid not to be able to recognize someone that is a true collector and not a dealer who only sees the prize as a dollar sign. Maybe by coincidence or maybe the trend is making the autograph collector as extinct as the Dinosaur,  Three different moments happened today in Central Florida that we know of, make everything even more alarming. One of my friends was in Sarasota for the Film Festival and patiently waited for JANE SEYMOUR after her questions and answers conversation in hopes of getting her to sign a photo. Three people waited by the back door and when she was exiting, they approached her very politely. This was her response. "I AM ONLY SIGNING ONE AS I KNOW YOU MAKE A LIVING OFF ME."   She needs a wake up call because people are not rushing to EBAY to buy her autograph. In Orlando apx 7 people half who were fans and the others dealers waited to catch singer TREY Z as in landed in Orlando. Not only did he refuse, his people around him were rude and acted as they owned this singer that not many people even know. 

It gets better while attending the FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL 2 people were waiting for actor SAM ROCKWELL who was doing a Q&A also after his showing of the movie Moon. Before he arrived the staff of the Festival approached these two,  who were only fans ( Cant always Judge a Book) informing  them" MR. ROCKWELL IS NOT SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS,  TAKING PICTURES AND IF YOU ATTEMPT TO YOU WILL BE PHYSICALLY TAKEN OFF THIS PROPERTY AND NEVER ALLOWED BACK" 

      I always thought Festivals were their for the actors to tell their fans that they appreciate them. ROCKWELL has one of the worst reputations and can be seen in a video ripping up a picture from someone who asked for 2 items to be signed with his scribble for an autograph. Hearing this from my friend who does not get very angry has re enforced that I like many will never watch another one of his films. Now again I know many stars do not like the idea that someone is making a buck off them and they get nothing for it in return. But why should they really care if someone is making a buck the honest way and giving something back to someone who will never get the opportunity to meet the star they had admired on TV, Movies or the Music Scene. Though I still do not sell, I realize that those items regardless if a fan or a dealer is asking to sign costs them money to buy,process and send off as needed. The Stars are making money from royalties on the CDs, Records and keeping their name in the public eye for everyone to remember them.  Even the Dealers are lowering the amount of items to get sign due to costs and many failures though a price still can not be put on their time or expenses. Ask yourself the last time you really indulged in your hobby, without being cautious financial!

        The Collector is vanishing as frustration is mounting every day and with out THE FAN , all these celebrities may have to find a different line of work to pay all their bills.