If you want to start collecting autographs for profit or pleasure the first thing you will need are up to date autograph addresses. This is a cheap and easy way to get free autographs. There are many places to get these autograph addresses from on the internet but beware that the information you find is valid and up to date. Some web sites are not maintained and updated whereas others are regularly checked and validated.

I have seen eBooks with out of date addresses and there are many web sites that also have autograph addresses that are years old. If you risk using these sites you also risk losing money on postage and stationery costs. If the person is no longer at that address the chances of the mail being forwarded on are pretty slim. If you have sent anything other than a letter - for example a photograph or programme then these will be lost forever.

There are lots of good places to get up to date autograph addresses. They are available in magazines, on the internet or from groups and forums. The best one I have used is on a paying site where you pay a yearly fee, it may cost money but it is worth it as all the addresses are up to date and the owner will even find addresses for you if they are not on his list. You can then be virtually guaranteed that for the price of a couple of stamps and a well written letter you will get a response and hopefully an autograph or two.

There are a couple of other good sites as well as they have forums (online meeting places) and people can report how successful addresses have been for them. It is always good to hear other peoples results as this will give you a good idea as to whether it is worth trying a certain address or not. It can also help save time and effort if someone reports that an addressee has "gone away" or maybe even refused to reply.