When you want to add autographed collectibles to your sports collection, you can send a request by mail to a sports star of your choice. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to add an autographed souvenir to your collection.

To receive an autographed item, you will also need to enclose an SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) so that the signed item can be returned to you in more efficient time. Plus, the sports star shouldn’t be responsible for paying the return postage. In advance of mailing your items, you will want to decide what you want signed.

Sports cards are inexpensive items to buy and to mail. You only need a first class stamp to mail a sports card or index card in a letter. Newspapers or magazine covers will require a larger envelope, such as a nine-by-twelve-inch size. Be sure to also include a piece of heavy card stock so your sports card or photograph will not get bent when it is returned to you through the mail.

Next, you’ll need to find the star’s address which is usually located at the team’s headquarters. You should be able to find out this information by doing a search on the Internet. Several web sites list the addresses of the various teams and their players.

It is very helpful if you know the star’s career achievements and can refer to them in your correspondence. It also helps when you say that you’re a fan and that it would mean so much for you to have an autograph on the item you’ve mailed along with your letter. Send your autograph requests to sportsmen you admire so that your true fan admiration will come out in the letter.

As mentioned earlier, sports stars will not pay to send your item back to you so you must include a SASE with your letter and item in the envelope you mail to them. After preparing the envelope, mail it and do not become anxious about wondering when you’ll receive your envelope or package.

Some requests will be in your mail box in a week or two, but other stars might take up to a month to return the autograph or item to you. It’s also known among collectors that sometimes a sports star has taken up to a year before returning an autograph, so just be patient. Then one day when you least expect it, you’ll be excited when you receive the autograph in the mail.