Algonquin autograph collector shares strategy for getting signatures

When Laura Guzman teaches her middle school English students about the power of the written word, she has a plethora of proof.

Guzman is the proud collector of autographs, hundreds of them, nearly all sent through the mail as a result of written requests.

Guzman uses the collection to demonstrate the power of letter writing to her students encouraging them ask for their hero's John Hancocks. The most reliable repliers? Steve Martin and Robin Williams.

Guzman, who is an Algonquin resident, has acquired these signatures, but many of her signed photos may be unrecognizable to her young students.

But to those who love the performers of the first half of the 20th century, her collection is a treasure trove. Her favorite actor is Spencer Tracy and his autographed photo is displayed in a glass case in her living room along with those of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Maurice Chevalier.

But the bulk of her collection is inside a standard three-ring notebook, filled far beyond capacity with the signed pictures of major movie and television stars, sports figures, musicians and presidents.

An abbreviated list includes: Jimmy Stewart, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Bob Hope, Carol Burnett, Steven Spielberg, John Travolta, Lucille Ball, Oprah Winfrey, former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W, Bush and George W. Bush; former Vice President Al Gore; Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco; Michael Jorda;, Ernie Banks; Walter Payton and Mike Ditka.

Her quest for signed mementos began when she was 10. She was performing in a play in which she played the part that silent film era star Lillian Gish had played early in her career. Guzman decided to contact the actress and let her know of their common experience

Gish, who starred in the film industry's first blockbuster, "Birth of a Nation," in 1915, replied, graciously wishing Guzman luck with the role and including a small sketch of her face that another fan had sent.

Guzman, who is in her early forties, has always felt drawn to the stars of yesteryear, a fact that she attributes to being an only child with working parents before cable television was common.

"My parents, for a stretch of time worked seven days a week," Guzman said. "So, I spent a lot of time alone from the years 8-11 and I would find myself watching Bill Kennedy at the movies. They were all old Hollywood movies."

"When I was a kid, one of my favorite shows to watch was 'Lawrence Welk.'"

After Gish sparked her interest, Guzman set about obtaining more autographs. Her next batch of requests went to Katharine Hepburn, Betty Davis, Liberace and James Cagney, and all replied.

She had simply requested autographs, except for Hepburn, for whom she had a special affinity.

"I sent her a gift," Guzman recalled.

"In a way she kind of raised me, as silly as that sounds" said Guzman.

Her mother left the family when Guzman was 12 and, although she credits her father with stepping up to fill the void, Guzman made a point of seeking out female role models in her real life as well as on film and Katharine Hepburn fit the bill.

"I took a lot from her about determination and if you want to do something you don't think about how you can't do that thing, you think about how you can do that thing," said Guzman. "So that was a great gift that she had no idea that she did."

More than once Guzman sent a gift to the aging actress. "At Christmastime I would make her a well thought-out present," Guzman said. "One time I bought her a locket and put a picture of Spencer Tracy in it and it played 'Love Story.'"

As a result, Guzman has more than one note from Hepburn, hand written on the actress' personal stationery.

Over the years Guzman has adapted a strategy for autograph requests that is more in keeping with present times.

"I go on a Web site called Startiger. I get addresses there and also there's feedback from other autograph requesters about how valid the addresses are. I also send a self-addressed stamped envelope."

"I follow the formula of introducing myself with a sentence or two and telling them I collect autographs of people I admire and I'd like to add them to my collection," she said. "I write a very short paragraph about what I like about them and that's about it. So one page, handwritten stationery.

Guzman's technique pays off, she reports.

"It's just like Christmas when you go to the mailbox and see an autograph there."

On one occasion, Guzman came across celebrity autographs in the garbage. Outside of the condo where she formerly lived, Guzman saw an enormous basketball backboard in the trash with what appeared to be signatures scrawled across the surface. "I'm not a sports fan, but I got out of the car to look. I saw Alonzo Mourning's signature and thought, I've heard of him."

After recognizing a few more of the signatures that covered the backboard, Guzman hauled the prize home.

Guzman's quest is not always successful. Some artists never reply, a fact that she simply shrugs off. But there are currently two people on her list that she continues to hope for.

"I cannot - I tried so hard - get Ellen DeGeneres. I would love an inscribed, signed photo by her and Reba McEntire."

Although Guzman is hard-pressed to choose a favorite autograph, there are those that make her the happiest. "The ones that are inscribed to me or the ones where there'll be a letter with it," she said. "When I got John Ritter's autograph it said, 'Tell Laura I Love Her.'" He put the song in there. I thought it was clever and showed he was thinking of me."

That personal touch made entertainer Ray Rayner among her most sentimental favorites. Rayner was a staple of children's television in the late 50s and 60s, appearing as Oliver O. Oliver on "Bozo's Circus" and on his own morning show, "Ray Rayner and Friends."

In reply to Guzman's letter, Rayner wrote, "You made my day! You made my week! You made my year!" Rayner continued on in a conversational style, as if to an old friend.

Unlike some collectors, Guzman doesn't sell autographs on eBay or in other venues.

"I'm very respectful of my hobby. I never get an autograph in order to sell it, and I don't ever intend to sell one."