When looking through Randy Christensen's autograph collection, one cannot help but be amazed by its sheer volume.
“I got everything from every aspect of life: actors, politicians, athletes, singers, and artists,” said Christensen.
The collection is presently on display in the gallery section of the Mountain View Museum. Since gallery space is limited, only part of it is on show.
“The museum didn't want some of the really cool pieces, like the signed Dallas Stars Jarome Iginla jersey,” said Christensen.
When he approached Olds Historical Society chair Donna Erdman, she immediately agreed to put his collection on display.
“It's so sad when the gallery space at the museum is empty,” she said.
Christensen started his autograph collection about 30 years ago.
“One day, I was in a bus tour down in California and I happened to be going to Lawrence Welk's resort. I thought to myself, ‘You know, I bet he goes to the resort sometimes.'
“So I tossed in a $5 bill with on the back a sticky note, on which I wrote ‘Hey, please send me an autograph.' Two months after I got home, there it was.”
Since then, he has been writing letters to celebrities and keeping a watch on eBay for rare items.
“I am always on the lookout for really cool pieces,” said Christensen.
He says that Ted Kennedy's autograph was the hardest one he ever got. He had to write to Kennedy three times before obtaining his signature.
“The last time, I sent out a book about Ted Kennedy and I wrote ‘Please sign.'
“He did not sign the book but he sent me back a signed picture of him and his two brothers. There was a note saying that it was his favourite picture.”
When browsing eBay, Christensen is careful about fakes.
“If I am buying an autograph off the Internet, I not only look at the big names but at the little names that people are selling. For example, if you are trying to sell a Barry Bond autograph, which is $250 right there, and the other autographs you are selling are Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, and other big names in baseball, then I won't buy form you because you're only going after big names for big dollars,” he explained.
“But if you also have a bunch of minor leaguers and people you might sell for 50 cents or $1, well are you going to forge a signature for $1? I would not bother doing that. It is not worth the hassle.”
Christensen also frequently visits second-hand stores.
“I also go to second-hand stores to browse books and records and stuff like that,” he said.
“You never know what you can find. Those places are like treasure troves.”
Christensen's autograph collection will be displayed at the Mountain View Museum until the end of March.
