Stephen's Autograph Page

Mailing the request

In the United States, postage for a first-class letter (11 ounces or less) is currently thirty-three cents for the first ounce and 22 cents for each additional ounce. For letters that weigh more than 11 ounces, visit the US Postal Service web site for postage information.  Have your letters weighed at your local post office for accuracy.

The U.S. Postal Service has an online web site that is a tremendous source of information to autograph collectors.

Click on these links for information on these subjects:
Addressing the envelope (to speed service)
Accepted USPS abbreviations
Zip Codes (or visit my Links page)
Postage Calculator for mailing packages Complete U.S. Postage Rates
 

Sending a photograph

To send an 8 X 10 photograph, use a large (at least 9 X 12) envelope. It is wise to enclose a piece of cardboard, which may be cut from an old box or similar material, to help protect the photo through the mail, otherwise it may be bent or crushed. Be certain to write “Photograph, do not bend” across the front and back of the envelope so that the postman knows to take care of your photo.
 Tip:
Here's how to write "Photograph, do not bend" in other languages

 Spanish - La fotografía, por favor no se dobla
Portuguese - Fotografia. Não dobre
German - Foto, Bitte nicht knicken
Italian - Fotografia. Non piegarsi
Finnish - Valokuva - älä taita
French - Photographie. Ne pas plier, S.V.P.
Norweigan - Bilde, ikke brett
Romanian - Fotografie, nu indoiti va rog
 

Sending a book

Books can be sent through the mail at a special Book Rate, which is much cheaper than first class. Usually it costs around $2 to send an average-sized book each way using this special rate. Keep in mind that using this special rate that your book cannot be returned by the post office if you have an incorrect address, so there are risks involved. Contact your post office for more information on using Book Rate.
 
 
 

Sending autograph requests internationally

If sending a letter from the U.S. overseas, don’t send American stamps for the SASE. Send at least two International Reply Coupons, which can be obtained at most post offices. The celebrity can trade the IRCs for local stamps.
Sending IRCs can be a little costly, so if you send a lot of requests overseas consider purchasing local postage.  You can check with a stamp dealer to see if you can purchase foreign stamps for the SASE.   You can also buy foreign stamps through sites like Unicover, that sells foreign postage at face value.  You can even try the alt.collecting.autographs newsgroup to see if anyone in another country wants to swap stamps with you.
 
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This page, and all contents, are Copyright © 1997-1999 by Stephen Beck.
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