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As a kid I worked in a comic book shop in the SF Bay Area.

Before eBay there was a type of collector-hustler, really a junker, who does a circuit around to comic book shops when they have something new.

They buy at auction abandoned storage unit contents. They’re thrift store spelunkers, garage sale hunters.

One of these fellows would visit our shop. He was also an autograph fiend.

He collected all sorts of autographs—-sports, entertainment, politics—-and would give account of if his latest exploits. Share the tips for how to get signatures.

Seeing in the story the quilt, I now understand the (non-illegal) value of having a collection of autographs. What a curious history.

The only autograph I ever endeavored to obtain was Jack Nicholson’s signature on a Batman movie poster. Another friend from the shop (Dave. There’s always a _Dave_. Though this guy delivered pizzas for Domino’s in his electric blue VW beetle—with atomic bomb artwork etched into the glass of the rear window. Haha) So we got our hands on these glossy teaser posters 50$, and he had the address to send the posters for a signature. Well, months later the posters were returned but not on the $50 poster we sent but a cheaper reprint. Haha. Obviously actors of his caliber receive many requests, and had stacks of the posters to send—just not the one they received. Whatevers.