AUTOGRAPH HUNTER’S STRATEGY.

Taihape Daily Times, 3 October 1919, Page 7

AUTOGRAPH HUNTER’S STRAT EGY .

SUCCESS AT BUCKINGHAM PAL'ACE_

Lance-Corporal Williams, -of the Australian lixiperial Forces, who claims to be the champion autograph collector of the.,wol-Id, has attained his crowing triumph by securing the autographs of the King and Queen. During the war he collected over 1000 autographs of notable personalities. The following is his own account of how he subcecded in his final triumph :—--

“Having written a letter to Lord Stamfordham, the King's private secretary, I went to Buckingham Paalce. I was stopped at the gates by 8. police sergeant, who asked, ‘Where are you going?’ ‘I have a letter for Lord Stamfordham,’ I replied. ‘Right,’ said the sergeant, who sent ‘a policeman to conduct me across the yard. “In turn I was passed on from one footman to another, who repeated the original answer. ‘A letter for Lord Sta.lnfordham_’ My uniform seemed to carry me through. At last I was ushered into the immediate presence of Lord Stamfordham himself. ‘Why’ you wrote this letter yourself,’ said Lord Stamfordham.' ‘Yes.’ I replied, and handed -him the autograph album.

“Lord Stainfordhanngwho expressed surprise at the success of my strategy, congratulated me on iny perseverance and said that I deserved success. He assured me that he would make my request known‘ to their Majesties. Later a special messenger personally delivered my album with the signatures of both the King and Queen_” . TRAPPING THE BISHOPS. Lance-Corporal Williams obtained the signature of the Archbishop of Canterbury and fourteen bishops in the following manner:—-“I was passing along. Great Smith ‘Street, and seeing two men in livery standing at the door of a building, I inquired What was going on, and was informed that Convocation of Canterbury was proceeding. Stating that I would like to have the Archbishop’s signature, I was told that if I Waited a few minutes he would only be too glad to do anytihng for a soldier.

“My book Was_.’later taken to the Archbishop, who sent for me, and

after signing thQ.- book introduced ‘me to fourteen bishops,‘ including the Bishops of London, Southwark, Oxford, Exeter, and Salisbury. who all signed.” ’

Among other signatures, all obtained without‘influence, are those of Queen Alexandra, the Prince of Wales, President Wilson, and most of the greatest British generals. . 15,000 CELEBRITIES PURSUED. The claim of Lance-Corporal Williams to be the Champion autograph collector of the world is disputed by Mr W_ Regiinald Bray, of S. Queen,fsgarth, Forest Hill, S.E., who descriebs himself as “The Autograph King.” . Mr Bray challenges anybody to show a larger collection of modern autographs than -his. He adds that they were‘ all obtained Without influence. During the war, he says, and up to last week, he sent 4248 postals packets to celebrities in all parts of the world, with a very fair percentage of results. Since 1900 he has made over 15,000 applications for autographs His “bag”, during the war included: M. Vedinnes, the airman; Arlniirzil Beatty, signed in the Lion during the battle of Heliogoland; 'Admil'a.l Jellicoe. signed in the Iron Duke; Marshal Foch and Sir Douglas Haig, who both signed on the battlefield; Sir Stanley Maude, signed at Bagdad; Field~Marshall Allenby; Mme. Botclikareva, who commanded the Russian Wonlen,’s Battalion of Death; and Marshal Joft're, signed at Buckingham Palace.