Hunt for autographs is a sign of the times

Summer in Australia is the ‘write’ time for sports fans, says Ian Cole

IT’S quite interesting to see that the seeking and signing of autographs is still standing the test of time. Despite the availability of all sorts of information online these days about a wide range of people, an autograph is still a treasured, tangible possession, especially in summer from tennis players and cricketers.

It is great to see kids lining up to get the autograph of someone they hold in high esteem, and to see those signing happy to do so.

Autograph hunting has always been the domain of young fans anxious to obtain the signature of a well-known celebrity, sportsperson or public figure. Back in time as kids in Moonah, we hunted autographs from Australian cricketers on their rare visits, from Mercury Tour cyclists and from top Tasmanian footballers. One kid in the area claimed to have the autograph of golfer Gary Player, another of cyclist Russell Mockridge, and one even of war hero Douglas Bader. (Jealousy meant we didn’t believe them!)

Years ago, I remember some of the world’s top tennis players saying they felt fans were always wanting something from them, such as a photo or an autograph, rather than the opposite, for example welcoming them to their country or saying just a straight “Hello”.

Remembering that and watching Bob Hawke years ago electioneering in Salamanca Place, pressured to sign endless autographs, I tried that alternative approach. I called out: “Welcome to Hobart Bob!’’ He looked up and replied instantly: “Thanks cock!’’

I guess it worked.

Then again, signing autographs can be a way of giving back to fans and supporters. After the Port Arthur tragedy, the Australian cricket team came to the Tasman Peninsula and played a charity match, with players remaining afterwards to sign autographs.

Also, it’s not just kids who seek autographs. Quite famously fast bowler Dennis Lillee asked the Queen for her autograph ahead of the Centenary Test in 1977. Royal protocol prevented it, but later it seems she sent him an autographed photo of the moment.

However, if true, possibly more famous is the attributed remark from Adolf Hitler about British prime minister Neville Chamberlain after the Munich Agreement of 1938: “He seemed such a nice old gentleman, I thought I would give him my autograph as a souvenir.”

Child actor Shirley Temple also told an autograph story. She said: “I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. My mother took me to a department store and he asked for my autograph!’’

Some celebrities may be so inundated for their autograph that they get others to sign for them.

Let me again defer to Oscar Wilde for a final word. Fresh from his successful lecture tour in the US he said: “I had two secretaries. One to answer and to sign my letters, and the other to send locks of my hair to my admirers. I have had to let them both go, poor fellows: one is in hospital with writer’s cramp, and the other is quite bald!’’