Autographs and their stories

Sir, – Fionnuala Ward writes that autographs may be on the way out as a way of capturing the magic of close encounters with celebrities, having been replaced by “selfies” (An Irish Diary, October 24th).

She describes backstage encounters more than 30 years ago with Daniel Day-Lewis and Jack Lemmon. I have autographs from nearly 60 years ago and agree that “scribbled words” carry stories through the decades.

As a music student in the 1960s I was excited to see Aaron Copland on the stage. Determined to capture a memory of the night, I attempted to meet him “backstage” only to discover he had been whisked away by his hosts and was in the lift on his way to the ground floor.

I raced down several flights of stairs, programme and pen in hand, arriving just as the group emerged. I don’t remember if words were exchanged, and expect I may have been speechless like your journalist. However, the autograph remains a treasured memento. – Yours, etc,