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Is This Real?
"Where Do They Come From? How Do You Know The Signatures Are Authentic?"
Whenever I go to a militaria show with my books, or post them on my website or auction, the above two questions are by far the most asked.
Hopefully this will not only answer those questions but will also be a little “how-to” tutorial to help you build your collection.
My prime interest is signed militaria books, but I also have many signed general interest books - mostly first editions. I have between 750 and 1,000 signed and multi-signed books
Let’s take the militaria books first.
For over 30 years my partner has attended military reunions in Germany, UK, and the US. He has written and had published scores of interviews with military notables – primarily German Knights Cross recipients as well as a number of books. I have attended Medal of Honor reunions since 1956 and German Knights Cross reunions for over 10 years.
Prior to attending a reunion we attempt to get a list of attendees that have registered. If any of those attendees have written books, we will search used book sources in the attempt to find copies of these books, or, if they are still in print, we will purchase several copies from the publisher. We will also search for other appropriate books. In other words, if the reunion is a German Luftwaffe reunion, we will look for books relating to the Luftwaffe. Abe.com is an excellent source for used books.
We will generally carry a dozen or so books to the reunion. Throughout the reunion there are sessions where visitors can visit with the notables and in some cases, there are tables where authors are selling signed copies of their books, photos, prints, etc.. We will always purchase at least one copy of each of their books. We rarely purchase more than one of their copies because they are selling their books at the cover price. We will offer them an honorarium to sign a quantity of blank bookplates for us, which we will affix to books we acquire later. However, on occasion authors will sell quantities of their book giving the normal publisher's dealer discount. Most of these, however, are at US air shows and militaria shows. On several occasions I have purchased cartons of 24 copies from the author.
During the visitation periods we will get as many attendees as possible to sign as many of our books as we can.
On a couple of occasions we were caught unprepared. As an example, at one Luftwaffe reunion there was also a Kriegsmarine reunion going on at the same place and time. We had nothing relating to the Kriegsmarine. There was, however, one table where the reunion was selling copies of a new Uboat book. By the time we got to the front of the line, all of the books had been sold. So, we got some high quality letterhead stock from the hotel, cut it into slips, and got as many of the Uboatmen as possible to sign these slips for us. When we got home, we ordered several copies of the book from the publisher and affixed the signatures to the books.
More recently I carry my laptop computer and a portable color printer to these events. I will take photos of notables, print a dozen or so copies and pay the notable an honorarium to sign them for me.
Often we will carry previously signed books to a reunion in the attempt to get additional signatures. The book with the largest number of signatures we have has about 65 signatures. But, I do have one Medal of Honor book that is signed on the recipient's page by 61 recipients and in the inside cover I have signed MOH cards or post card size photos of an additional 42 - totaling 102 autographs.
Other things that my partner does not do, but I do, is to write notables, sending a dozen or so photos, and ask them to sign the photos after which I will send them an honorarium. Most are receptive and return the photos. I will then order an appropriate number of their books from the publisher and affix the signed photo to those book. That is how I got the Otto Carius photos that I include with copies of his Tigers In The Mud.
I also go to book signings when there is one in our area. I will purchase one copy of the author’s 1st Edition, 1st Printing for my personal collection. I will tell him/her that I am a small bookseller of signed books and ask if I send him a dozen or so of my custom bookplates, will he/she sign them for me. Most are enthusiastic and give me their address. Below is one of those bookplates Sarah Palin signed for me.
Over the years I have gotten these from Tom Clancy, Mickey Spillane, WEB Griffin, Sue Grafton, Ernest Borgnine, Mickey Rooney, Kay Baily Hutchison, Ronald Reagan, Newt Gingrich, Stephen Coonts, Alex Haley and others.
When I get the bookplates I search for their books and affix one to the title page.
Hope this helps and answers your questions?
Cy Stapleton