The book charts the history of the hobby, which began with people gathering keepsakes of their friends. There's even a chapter about family history- finding signatures in family bibles and so on - and good advice on how to preserve autographs. And, how to approach celebrities.

Your Family Tree, September 2011

A hundred years ago, autograph albums were items that were treasured, especially by young ladies who persuaded their friends to fill them with thoughtful poems, humorous rhymes and charming paintings. The books were beautiful, pocket-sized and filled with delightful pastel-coloured pages; enticing pages that would inspire people to write something special, providing a unique view of the social attitudes of the time.

Nowadays, autograph collectors tend to concentrate on the signatures of the famous - pop stars, sporting heroes, film stars, TV personalities and royalty. It seems that the traditional autograph book full of thoughtful entries is out of fashion and the owner is more likely to get a rude graffiti scrawl than a witty rhyme or funny doodle.

Susan Brewer's delightful and informative books harks back to the golden era of autograph hunting. It contains hundreds of fascinating entries from autograph books of old and is wonderfully illustrated with drawings and photographs throughout.

With advice on collecting and storage, the book also offers tips on how to successfully approach celebrities for their autographs.

Antiques Diary Sep/Oct 2011

Back in the 1950s/early 1960s everyone had an autograph book. It was usually something you got in your Christmas stocking, it looked like a small photo album, and it had pastel-coloured pages. If you were young, and didn't know any better, the first people you got to autograph your book were your parents and your siblings. They chose a page and wrote something, usually a rhyme, and then signed it. Bolder people than me would queue for ages at the stage door of the local cinema or theatre, where people like Marty Wilde and Billy Fury were appearing, and would secure their autographs. This brilliant book traces the history of autograph-hunting, with illustrated examples from all walks of life.

Books Monthly June

When thinking about autograph collecting, images of screaming teenage girls swooning over a pop star may spring to mind, however as Collecting Autographs documents there is much more to this popular pastime than first meets they eye. Following the journey of the autograph, you will learn how they first came about and how they have evolved over the years as well as useful advise for any budding autograph collector wanting to start a collection of signatures from the rich and famous. Written by author and collectables enthusiast Susan Brewer, this book will be sure to educate, amuse as well as maybe even start a passion for autographs that has enticed so many people over the years.

Kate (Customer Review)

Collecting autographs has long been a popular past time shared by many although over the years collecting those treasured albums has lost some of its appeal. Autograph enthusiast Susan Brewer has recreated the magic of autographs through her informative and interesting new book 'Collecting Autographs'. Brewer not only explores the fascination with celebrity autographs we have today, with entries from sporting celebrities like Tiger Woods to music mega-stars such as Michael Jackson ,but she also looks back into the past , where the autograph albums provide sentimental records of charming , social attitudes and include delightful little poems and touching quotations. This nostalgic journey explores autographs from the late nineteenth century right up to the scraggy scrawls of todays most highly regarded celebrities . Brewers appreciation is evident in the hundreds of entries included , there really is something for everyone, whether your a royal enthusiast or a literary lover, her enchanting book covers everything from Princess Diana to Emily Bronte , and not only does it look at existing autographs Brewer has collected , she also gives her own handy hints and tips to help you begin your own collection, storage advice and even , how to approach celebrities yourself!

Paul (customer Review)