My previous post, “Not So Fan-tastic,” describes my receipt of a “fan” letter in the mail from teenager Suzanne Lopez, requesting my autograph on a blank, white index card she had enclosed. Before responding to what was a decidedly unusual request, I did some research and found out that the identical letter had been sent internationally to many artists of all disciplines. Well, the almost identical letter. Suzanne revised her age randomly between 17, 16 and 15, and her return address changed often.
Today I received an email from Suzanne, using a different name, who was upset to find that I had publicly aired my skepticism. I will add my rough translation of her message and the original French at the bottom of this post. The few points I’d note before asking for your comments are as follows:
First off, I have no desire to alienate or criticize anyone who genuinely appreciates my work, or to get into a virtual pissing match with any professed admirer. People out there have hobbies that are a whole lot weirder than collecting autographs, and I’m not passing judgment. However, I would find it more genuine to receive a compliment from an adult who doesn’t feel the need to masquerade as a teen, more meaningful to receive one from someone who can remark even in some small way about how the work speaks to them, and maybe even someone who expresses enough interest in my work to subscribe to my email list before asking me for something, even if it is just my signature.
Secondly, if Suzanne is an admirer of mine and familiar with my work as she says, I’m puzzled why she remains unaware of my gender and addresses me as Monsieur. It is clear on my website’s home page, my bio/cv and reviews that I am not male. One thing about her original letter that struck me as odd was that it was entirely impersonal – worded identically to those others had received, except for artistic discipline. In her recent communication with me, she still says nothing personal or specific about my work, other than quoting “Dear O Applause! to you. I was impressed. You’ve done it again!” indicating only that she’d seen the faux postcard on my contact page.
Finally, regarding personal addresses, my studio address is on my website, which is how she was able to contact me by mail in the first place. I like the USPS and encourage people to contact me, but maybe she’s right that such info shouldn’t be generally available. As a courtesy, I have removed Suzanne’s return address from my earlier post.
Though this whole thing makes me kind of sad, I mean no disrespect to Suzanne, who may indeed have an “Imaginary Museum” of artists’ autographs, enjoying a vaguely quirky hobby for over 35 years. I hope she will continue to love art and discover artists she admires, and that she eventually finds a truly personal way to connect with people where she feels comfortable just being herself.
P.S. There is no international inquest, call for witnesses, or FBI involvement. Just me and you, the true friends and supporters who come visit this little blog of mine.
Dear Mr. Sky Pape
I am writing you this message in French. I don’t know whether you know this language, but I think that having reliable detective talents, you know how to translate it or have it translated. I read with great surprise and some amusement the article on your blog about “Suzanne Lopez” and the letter you received in June. Surprise and amusement because I never thought such an innocent letter could provoke an international inquest, along with a call for witnesses! For as you will agree, you only received a letter asking you for an autograph, and you had total freedom faced with this request to respond or not respond. The request is not specifically illegal, and the intervention of the FBI may perhaps be a bit of an exaggeration [overreaction], even if we do live in an increasingly policed society: I am surprised that an artist would completely agree.
First, I will reassure you that there is no underlying bank card fraud or similar project. I believe that you would have already heard about it. So, I will reveal the scandalous secret: it is just…a collection of autographs! Amazing, right? The “Imaginary Museum” is a collection of autographs.
One confession, still…Indeed, it is the only “scam”, the age is not true. And I will tell you why. This collection started when Suzanne Lopez was 15 years old…16, 17…and the letter has remained much the same since. I “fixed” on that age, which was a good time in life. And this collection started in 1973. Do the math. (At that time there was no Internet, and fewer amateur detectives.)
There. This “truth” will undoubtedly disappoint you. Whatever. Know in any case that I don’t find it appropriate to give the world a personal address. Would you want a stranger doing the same with yours?
My collection does not include the autograph of Sky Pape. Too bad. I like what you make a lot.
Dear O Applause! to you . i was impressed. You’ve done it again!
Sincerely,
Suzanne LopezCher M. Sky Pape,
Je vous écris ce message en français. J’ignore si vous connaissez cette langue, mais je pense, qu’ayant des talents sûrs de détective, vous saurez la traduire ou la faire traduire. J’ai lu avec beaucoup d’étonnement et un peu d’amusement votre article sur votre blog au sujet de “Suzanne Lopez” et de la lettre que vous avez reçue en juin. Etonnement et amusement, car je ne pensais pas qu’une innocente lettre puisse provoquer une telle enquête internationale, assortie d’un appel à témoins! Car, vous en conviendrez, vous avez seulement reçu une lettre vous demandant un autographe, et vous aviez toute la latitude face à cette requête de répondre ou de ne pas répondre. La demande n’est pas spécialement illégale, et l’intervention du FBI serait peut-être un peu exagérée, même si nous vivons dans une société de plus en plus policière: je m’étonne qu’un artiste abonde dans ce sens.
Je vais d’abord vous rassurer: il n’y a là-dessous aucun projet d’escroquerie à la carte bancaire ou autre projet similaire. Je crois que vous en auriez entendu parler. Alors, je vais vous révéler le “pot-aux-roses”: il s’agit simplement d’une…. collection d’autographes. Incroyable, non? Et seulement cela. Le “Musée imaginaire”, c’est une collection d’autographes…
Un aveu, quand même… Effectivement, et c’est la seule “escroquerie”, l’âge n’est pas le bon. Et je vais vous dire pourquoi: cette collection a commencé quand Suzanne Lopez avait 15 ans… 16,17… et la lettre est restée un peu la même depuis. J’ai “bloqué” sur cet âge, qui était une bonne époque. Et cette collection a commencé en 1973. Faites vos calculs. (A l’époque, il n’y avait pas Internet, et moins d’apprentis détectives.)
Voilà. Cette “vérité” vous déçoit sans doute. Peu importe. Sachez en tout cas que je ne trouve pas très opportun de donner en pâture au monde une adresse personnelle. Voudriez-vous qu’un inconnu fasse de même avec la vôtre?
Ma collection ne comprendra donc pas l’autographe de Sky Pape. C’est dommage, j’aime bien ce que vous faites.
Dear O Applause! to you . i was impressed. You’ve done it again!
Bien à vous,
Suzanne Lopez
Drawn Together 
Reads like this woman is out to lunch. I was astonished to read her reply. I still think it is fishy!
Guess you and Suzanne can “agree to disagree”…she can have her “museum” and you can do what feels right to you with what she mailed you. Once she mailed you her “fan” letter it became your property, correct?
The world is a different place than it was when she was 15. I applaud you for considering her request in 2010 realities and for sharing this with us.
Hmmm. Another artist, this one in Italy, wonders if Suzanne is a real person or a scam. http://www.celesteprize.com/artwork/ido:68014/
Interesting that her address changed yet again from when she contacted me in June and her writing to this Italian artist in August. She apparently gets around a LOT! The letter? Identical. She seems to take offense at my questioning her sincerity, but still does not take to heart the idea of writing something personal to the artists she claims to admire so much.
October 20, 2010 – Just noting that I just heard from another artist, this one from Spain, who had received the exact same fan letter.
I was digging through some old paperwork today and found the same “Suzanne Lopez” request from July, 2005. I guess it was smothered at the bottom of an infinite “to do” pile. Anyway, googled it (as it does have a suspicious feel) and it’s nice to find some more info over five years later. I was feeling a bit guilty for never responding to a 16yr old…
Funny – I’m guessing dealing with that old paperwork might be a New Year’s resolution, so now you can start 2011 with a clean(er) desk, and absolved of any residual guilt regarding unanswered fan mail!
Congrats on your many, many creative successes (took a peek at your site), and here’s wishing you many more in the year ahead!
Thanks for taking time to comment here about your experience.
Hello
I recieved the same letter from Suzanne Lopez a few years ago (dated 18th February 2007). It was sent to the gallery I was with at the time (Archeus, Albemarle St, London) and it was eventually passed on to me and then I eventually got around to replying to her.
I was surpised to discover, via your website, that she wasn’t quite who she said she was but I don’t feel angry at her for her dishonesty. I think it’s an odd thing to do but I can’t see what harm she has done anyone. It’s the sort of thing someone might do as a kind of art-project. She might have quite an interesting collection by now.
All the best
Roy Eastland
I was cleaning up my desk and found a letter from her as well: dated December 22, 2006. I’m still not convinced that it is insincere though. If I had her address, I think I would reply, maybe even send her a CD!
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I just came across to know this blog while googling the exactly same letter, but from different person, Ms. Angéle Martinez.
Actually I don’t hate this kind of modern (analog) mystery, but I’d better not to send my sign via airmail.. I’ll have a show in Paris very soon so I’ll try to invite her to my opening.
Let’s see what happen then.
Thank you for sharing your experience anyways, it was really helpful!
I just received the same letter and request, dated October 19, 2015, from “Angèle Rubin, who says she is 17 years old, and “Philosophy is my passion,” and that she has been reading my book, Waking, Dreaming, Being. I was very pleased by the gesture, but of course immediately had misgivings about sending my signature. I also did an internet search to see if I could find out anything further, and this post and your previous one immediately came up. Thanks for telling the world about this.
Angèle/Suzanne, if you are reading, your interest, if genuine, is touching, but as I’m sure you know by now, I can’t send you my autograph.
Got the letter this month, January 16th 2016! Her name has changed again: “Marie Rubin”, same adress, no age this time.
Thank you so much for your blog, it felt quite strange what she wrote…
I just got the “Marie Rubin” one, dated January 28 2016, no age this time. This is one of the strangest things I’ve ever heard of.
I got the same letter dated Feb. 6, 2016, only now her name is Marie Rudin
Sorry, I meant Marie Rubin
I also got a letter from a “Marie Rubin” (January 4 2016, Boulevard Davout, Paris):
“Music is my passion ….”
I just got this letter from Marie Rubin, “Art is my passion…” Shoot, I was thinking this was just a legit 16 year who had seen my work recently in Paris. I posted my letter to Facebook and a friend linked me to this.
today I received this charming little letter from Marie Rubin, 1 rue du 11 novembre, Boucau in France. I had to laugh loudly. Thank you very much Marie but I am not so simple, that I confuse a compliment with a nice ripoff-thought. Well done, but not good enough.
Nadja
we should make all together somewhere a big exhibition and event with readings, music, lyrics and photographs, the Marie brings us together in some how – even I think she is not sixteen.
marie’s letter could be our thema.
nadja
Dear Nadja,
I am in Paris at the moment and doing an research and art project about this. Could you do me a favour and send a scan of the letter you received? Thanks for your help!
Actually I like your idea of a gathering very much!
BEN
autograph_fan@gmx.com
I just received a similar letter from a Virginie Lopez, same handwriting, same expression in fascination and admiration for my work, mailed to the museum that is currently showing my works. I also found this suspicious, though nice with some response, and tried to google the person. thanks for confirming my mistrust in this letter!
Hi. Today I receive the same letter in spanish from Virginie Lopes request me the autograph.it is rare. Is it an scammer ?
@huemulin
In december 2016, I received the letter at my work mailbox. From “Marie Martinez.” I just opened it today because I don’t like to check my work mailbox!
There are people in the world who have the hobby of collecting autographs. It’s a harmless, if somewhat unusual or even geeky, pastime, but I have heard from real people who pursue it. And they tend to be, if anything, every bit as obsessive about their collecting than many artists are about their art.
One thing that motivates some of these collectors is the pie-in-the-sky hope that someday they might manage to snag an autograph from the next not-yet-discovered Picasso/Rowling/Stockhausen out there. It’s one thing that has them scouring the Web and other sources for even relatively obscure artists, and being willing to invest a bit of time and postage into it. Autographs of famous people have actual monetary value (there is the tale—perhaps apocryphal—that once famous, Picasso always paid by check, knowing that the recipients never cashed them… the autograph would be worth more than the nominal amount on on the check).
Given that there are much more efficient and cost-effective ways for scammers to pursue identity theft (hacking Equifax took a lot of work, but nothing like 173,000,000 handwritten letters including international postage), and given that a signature alone is far less interesting than things like SSN, bank account and credit card details, and your mother’s maiden name… given all that, an autograph request seems far more likely to be what it claims to be rather than a scam. To paraphrase Freud, sometimes a teenager asking for an autograph is just a teenager asking for an autograph.
As for the similarity of requests… a French teen wanting to collect autographs from English speakers is most likely to turn to a forum for like-minded hobbyists for sample texts. And if you google “hobbyist forum collecting autographs” you’ll get something well over 10,000 hits… there really are a lot of people doing this.
At the very least… no need to be rude to the poor kid.
PS: If you really are worried, do what many of the really famous do—use a different signature for “fans” that what you use for your bank and other money-related documents.
I’m a Belgian comic artist and I received the same letter yesterday, written in French, signed (mademoiselle) Ngoc Thao, address: Chérubin – bt 16 – 43B Boulevard Davout, 75020 Paris, France. Thank you for posting your “fan letter”, Mrs Pape.
@pcastine: indeed, there is no harm in collecting autographs, but why change your identity all the time?
My boss, an architect, received a letter from Suzanne Rubin today. As we had moved 3 weeks ago, I thought it odd that she had our current address. And also suspicious. But it also reminded me that as a 13-year old, I had sent George Harrison’s mother (no idea how I got her address but probably from a fan magazine) pictures of John, Paul George and Ringo and a self-addressed stamped envelope. I asked her to have the “boys” sign them and return them to me. She did. With a nice note. I don’t to this day know if the signatures are “authentic” but they are among my prized possessions.
My sister who works for a local post office In Japan told me that her boss received a letter in English from Suzanne Rubin from France a couple of days ago. “Suzanne” says she is 12 years old and loves Japan and Japanese stamps. She asks to the director of the local post office where she can buy “Mickey” Japanese stamps. But she’s not asking to send it to her. Apparently, she sent the same type of letter to many local post offices in Japan asking for either Mickey stamps or Kitty stamps.
same handwriting, similar content and same adress at bd Davout, Paris
her name is Han Wenwen now and she is a fan of photography. so weird…
I run the artist estate of Dutch painter Constant Nieuwenhuys and he received the same letter from Xia Xu, claming to be 15 at the time, sent July 9th 2004. I don’t know if he ever replied.
I’m late to the party, but I too got the exact same letter back on August 23rd 2006.
I was rummaging through the attic when I found it back (laminated it back then, if was my first fanmail and to date last).
I never trusted it entirely: usually when it seems too good to be true, it isn’t. What I found surprising was the handwriting and the flower: neither of them said ‘born in 1990’; I never sent the card back.
I won’t throw my letter away though… Never know if she wás a fan
I’m researching the life of the late American artist Julie Becker. In her personal effects I found “The Letter,” dated August 1, 1997 from “Martina Lopez” at “25 rue Patrice de la Tour du Pin.” It’s the same content, handwriting and style: “Dear Ms. Julie Becker, I am 16 years old and art is my passion…” Included is a “little card I’m sending you (to sign) for mon anti-muse imaginaire.” I have responded to “The Letter” and if I get a response, I will inform you all here.