Hi, Steve! I first began collecting autographs in 1968, when I was 15 years old...partly because my older sister had already paved the way for me. She had a scrapbook brimming with notes and autographed pix from stars of the early 60's, people like Fabian and Frankie Avalon and Michael Landon (as "Little Joe")! I kid you not! Though I concentrated more on collecting Hollywood material, my "baby" sister (then 10) began writing to the stars of DS. Her first response was a handwritten letter and signed photo from Kathryn Leigh Scott, dated 1968. That'll be included in the Autograph Collector article, by the way. Eventually, I started getting involved in DS fandom, first through requesting autographs, then via fan clubs. In 1969, I joined the Marie Wallace club, followed close behind by the Louis Edmonds and Diana Millay clubs. Dee Kearney ran Louis' club, while Robert Finocchio helmed Diana's. We were all approximately the same age (16) and began a thriving correspondence. Along the way, I launched my own fan club, for Dennis Patrick, who'd just returned to DS as "Paul Stoddard." My sister ran Denise Nickerson's for a while, though I don't think Denise was even aware of it! LOL! Anyway, we immersed ourselves in the DS fan movement, going so far as to visit the studio in NYC (I live in Maine, so it's quite a haul!). In 1969, we both met Marie Wallace when she was performing at a playhouse in New Hampshire (this is detailed in the article, as well). Marie went above and beyond the call of duty! Very, very gracious. She'd just finished filming a cameo on DS as "Jenny's ghost" and was about to return as "Megan Todd."
By cancellation, I'd lost interest in DS. I was about to graduate from high school, real life beckoned, yada-yada.
Now for the weird part! In 1999, 30 years after I'd joined my first fan club, I rekindled my friendship with Dee Kearney, Marie Wallace, and Rob Finocchio! And it's all because of this board! I'd posted a remark about being an "old" fan club president, and Dee responded. Poof! The 30 years of silence disappeared, and we reconnected. Incredible! The DS article in Autograph Collector is the result.
And there'll be still another DS article from me in FILMFAX magazine (or maybe OUTRE, their companion publication). It'll include a full-length interview with David Selby, Marie, Diana Millay, and Kathryn Leigh Scott.
Phew! Hope I haven't bored you!
Thanks - Rod