Collecting autographs on your doorstep has got to be one of the best things I can think of, normally I have to travel at least 150 -200 miles to get an autograph opportunity, but at this time of the year with the run up to Christmas I can pretty much stay at home and collect music memorabilia, actor autographs, actresses autographs and sport autographs. Why? Because we have the Panto season, groups and bands touring and the occasional indoor sports event in Aberdeen, about the only thing I hate about this time of the year is the weather. So last week I took to my sleigh(we have had a lot of snow!) and fought my way through several blizzards to arrive at the AECC stage door just in time to see JLS come out the stage door, I got out my items and hoped the weather would not put them off signing. Luckily I got a signed photo of all the guys and autographed albums. I have been very successful over the years at the AECC stage door collecting; tennis memorabilia, signed music memorabilia, boxing memorabilia, football memorabilia and all sorts of collectible memorabilia.
But Aberdeen does not just have the AECC it also has a Theatre and a city centre venue which both attract acts, mostly music related at the Music hall (aptly named)
It has a very collector friendly stage door and at that same door I have collected music autographs, (Bill Wyman being the best) Comedy autographs, (Billy Connolly). Over the years I have collected many hand signed autographs, autographed photos, signed memorabilia and even collected autographed posters, but only in the summer as they often get soaked and ruined in winter time. The third venue in Aberdeen is His Majesty’s Theatre where over the years there have been some very notable acts appearing, back in 1952 Laurel and Hardy appeared on stage, unfortunately that was 6 years before I was born! Not only that famous duo but many famous actors have graced the stage, I was fortunate enough to be at the stage door when Patrick Stewart was performing and he was gracious enough to sign star trek memorabilia, in the form of several signed photos, a signed star trek poster, and several star trek collectables.
They also have music concerts there and I have collected several music autographs from Robert Cray, Steel eye Span and Tony Christie. It is really strange but if you keep your ear to the ground you can pick up all sorts of celebrity autographs in and around your local area even if you don’t stay in a large city. I have collected an Alex Ferguson autograph, and Eric Cantona autograph and a Helen Mirren autograph by just being aware of what was going on in the City. A couple of years ago I had my best week autograph collecting in Aberdeen when our city hosted The Senior Open Championship at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, I collected 38 Golf Autographs, which included several items of Golf memorabilia, a signed shirt and a signed golf glove <a href="http://www.memorabilia4u.com/">autograph</a>.
So Keep your eyes peeled for the celebrities coming to your City and get those collecting boots on (especially) if its winter!!!!
