NEW ITEMS IN THE STORE!
January 31 | Gary X

Take a look at our newly remodeled store, which features a new layout and color scheme (which the entire site will be migrating to in the next several weeks. We've added several new items and will be making a MAJOR update to our stock in the next two weeks! Click on ol' Mace Windu above for the latest!

CELEBRATION 3 AUTOGRAPH NEWS: YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST
January 24 | Gary X

Lots of different changes for autographs at Celebration 3, it looks like. C2 Ventures will again be bringing autograph guests to the event. The official site posted a news story this evening that details everything about C3 autographs, except the people who will be attending. Some selected quotes:

"In the Autograph Hall, C2 Ventures will have blank photos of the autographing stars available, with 8"x10" Celebration III photos selling for $5.00 each."

"C2 Ventures plans to use a coupon system at Celebration III, selling $10 coupons near the entrance of Exhibit Hall A. Fans can then use the appropriate number of coupons for each autograph. Some guests will require 1 coupon per autograph, some 2, and so on. The coupons will be good for autographs on the official C2 Ventures Celebration III images, or can be used for autographs on items brought from home. Fans should note that licensed Star Wars products are typically acceptable, but signing non-licensed items, like homemade images or toys, is up to the discretion of each actor."

This looks like, at a minimum, an autographed Celebration 3 photo will cost you $15. It will again be on the coupon system, which is convenient for not having to struggle counting money while juggling your items for signing.

There's promises of an initial autograph guest list soon and we'll get it online ASAP.

UPDATE: TOPPS ROTS CARD SET TO HAVE 39 SKETCH CARD ARTISTS
January 12 | Gary X

January 22: Updated to reflect new card totals for a couple of artists.

January 20: Updated to reflect new card totals for a couple of artists. Also alphabetized artist listings.

When Topps releases their Revenge of the Sith trading card set in a few months, there will be 39 different artists providing sketch cards of various characters, according to the official Star Wars site:

Initial talk amongst collectors seems to hold the opinion that 39 are far too many artists for this card release, but we'll see how that goes. What do you think? Use the CONTACT button and let us know your feelings!

Since we won't post images of the film (or the cards) yet for the spoiler-averse, you can click HERE to see a preview of the sketch cards. And, WARNING: spoilers do apply.

NEESON OR PORTMAN ON A STAR WARS ITEM? DON'T COUNT ON IT!
January 10 | Gary X

If you are an avid Star Wars sig collector, we know you've cruised eBay looking for that PERFECT sig. Or, you've sent us email asking "Why don't you have anything signed by Natalie Portman of Liam Neeson for sale?" The reason why? NEITHER OF THEM will sign Star Wars items. Wattographs has a very close friend who's always out on the street in New York getting in-person sigs (we even feature some of them in our store when we can!) that has told us on many occasions that neither will sign Star Wars, even offering an anecdote about that day's meeting.

Now, a Wattographs reader (Thanks, Torquemada!) has even forwarded us a post from the alt.collecting.autographs newsgroup where one noted in-person sig collector who goes by the name BAREFOOTMK has posted a Top 10 Worst Signers list, which includes Portman and Neeson. Apparently, he's named Natalie Portman the SEVENTH worst signer in 2004:

(spelling/grammar has been left intact)
"7)natalie protman...not only does she not sign star wars items...she's starting to turn down the professional stuff (does she realize she's done nothing else, or does she know if she turns down these 2 film items, no one will ask her) she didn't sign at her premieres in hollywood this year at all- even as she walked past other cast members who were signing at the time. she says she only signs for kids...kids don't know who she is...same with sandra bullock who makes the same claim sometimes."

and

"liam neeson- still no star wars and seen stiffing batman stuff too...did sign some kinsey stuff, but real picky...good chance he's totally stiffing batman stuff."

So, there you have it. Please, please, please be aware that Natalie Portman or Liam Neeson on a Star Wars item should be considered the RAREST of the RARE. Don't buy into some craftily-made story about how they saw Natalie by herself and she signed Star Wars items....she will turn you down flat even if it's just you and her alone!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
January 10 | Gary X

Okay, it's a bit late! We've been very busy since the beginning of the year working on the new Wattographs' layout, which should appear within the next month. We've also been doing a lot of work over at Autograph Central, our sister site.

Lucasfilm didn't much care for our Wattographs sketch cards, so we've pulled them from this site. From here out, all sketch card signings will be done via Autograph Central and will not be marketed as Star Wars sketch cards. In future signings, you can have sketches done for ANY movie in the Hollywood genre, which adds much to potential sketch cards than just Star Wars! We'll have an announcement in the next newsletter about the next signing!