As this is a Stamp Club I write here only about stamps and philatelic items. But I have received mail from many philatelists who also collect coins and autographs besides stamps. Numismatics and Autograph collection has become a part of philately as many postal administrations have issued postage stamps depicting coins and portraits of famous personalities with their signatures . I am presenting here an article on collecting autographs by Mr. Santosh Kumar Lahoti of Calcutta for the lovers of autograph collection with some philatelic items related with the subject of autographs.
Collecting Autographs for Pleasure and Profit
- Santosh Kumar Lahoti
Special cover on Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore, autographed by Shri Dipok Dey
Celebrities like film stars, sportspersons, politicians or artists become the idols in the minds of their thousands of fans. Their fans try to imitate their styles. Their one signature could bring happiness to them. The most successful of public figures become legends and live in the hearts of their admirers even after they are dead. Autographs of such legendary personalities are precious possessions for those who admire them.
People who collect autographs would go any distance to fetch a signature from their favorite star. For them an effort to collect an autograph from their favorite personalities is an effort to enrich themselves. In fact, some people collect autographs because they feel that they have an association with legends. It gives them an all time high happiness to acquire an autograph from a legendary personality. It also gives them pride and pleasure to be with their beloved celebrity for a few moments. To be nearer to someone like the famous Indian film star Amitabh Bachchan is considered a matter of pride and a memorable moment.
As a matter of fact, collectible autographs can fetch huge sums of money too. Some collections have been auctioned from time to time. In Western world there are people who collect the autographs as hobbyists and harvest a rich return when they sell them.
Uri Gagrin- Maxim card
Autographs of celebrities taken at different times indicate the inner qualities and outer achievements of those personalities. Graphologists are the autograph scientists who spend time in studying autographs and their analysis ultimately help the biographers.
In our country mainly children pursue this hobby. It has been distinctly noticed that girls tend to seek autographs of male film stars and the boys would be after their favorite sportsperson. In India, the male youngsters are always looking for an opportunity to get a cricketer’s signature. The collection of autographs need not always be something scribbled on paper. There are other surfaces on which the autographs are given by the stars. Then such objects like bats, magazines, clothes, mugs etc. become the value added items for the collectors. For example, Cricketers place their prized signature on bats, balls and stumps. And such autographed bats, balls or stumps are craved items for the collectors. Autographs can be collected on Autograph Books, Photographs. First Day Covers (FDC), Special Covers, Sketches, Cartoons, Books, Magazines and may others items.
Today the class of autograph collectors is increasing in India. It is a hobby of great educational value, gives mental relief, broadens the mind and teaches the collector history of one’s own country. This hobby not only brings the collector in contact with the great personalities who are making history, but also enlarges one’s circle of friends having a common interest.
It was in March, 1993 when 23 year old Company Secretary Mr. Santosh Kumar Lahoti incidentally showed his collection to two very serious collectors of autographs in Kolkata and at that time an idea came to their mind to form an autographs collectors club to promote this educational and interesting hobby in India and its neighbouring countries. They promptly formed Autograph Collectors Club of India (ACCI) and got it registered under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961. Autograph Collectors Club of India (ACCI) is the only club of its kind in India.
The main aims and objects of the Club are as under:
To promote and guide the study of Autographs.
To co-operate with the Autograph Clubs/Societies of other countries by offering them information, advise and help about their collectors and to establish exchange relation with them.
To organize exhibitions of Autographs in different cities of India.
To check authenticity of Autographs by experts.
To help collectors get addresses of celebrities. Today, the Club has about 2,000. addresses of prominent persons of India and abroad.
The Annual membership fee is Rs. 100/- and Life membership fee is Rs. 1000/-.
The following guide books for Autograph Collecting is available for Sale:
1. “AUTOGRAPHS COLLECTING FOR THE BEGINNINGS”
The book covers important topics for beginners like why collect autographs, what and how to collect autographs, preservation of autographs and Autograph Collectors Club of India (Regd.), only Club of its kind in India. In the end, autographs and life sketches of as many as 110 personalities of India have been given.
Author: S.S. Hitkari, Publisher: Phulkari Publications, New Delhi.
52 Pages, Softbound. Rs. 150 postpaid in India/ US$10 postpaid in Worldwide.
2. “AUTOGRAPHS OF INDIAN PERSONALITIES”
The book covers important topics like introduction, what and how to collect autographs, their care and preservation and graphology. In the end, autographs and life sketches of as many as 250 personalities of India been given.
Author: S.S. Hitkari, Publisher: Phulkari Publications, New Delhi.
112 Pages, Hardbound. Rs. 450 postpaid in India/ US$20 postpaid in Worldwide.
If interested, please send payment by Money Order/Cheque/Demand Draft in favour of “Santosh Kumar Lahoti”.
For more information on autograph collecting, please feel free to contact :
Santosh Kumar Lahoti, Founder
Autograph Collectors Club of India
“Shree Sadan”, 26, P.K. Tagore Street, Kolkata-700 006 (India)
Phone: 033 2530 5293/2543 6471, Mobile: 93310 12533, Fax: 033 2474 6899
Email: sklahoti@vsnl.net
Website: http://www.autographindia.com/
