V-J Day Life Magazine Photo

[HitchcockFan]

I am trying to begin a new branch on my autograph collection: historical figures. The more obscure, the better! I want to start with the famous V-J Day "Kissing Sailor" photograph in Life Magazine. However, while researching I have run into a few problems.
First, while the database lists Mr. Carl Muscarello as the "Kissing Sailor", other men have come forward to confess that they are the sailor, like Glenn McDuffie and Ken McNeel. I do not mind who is the real sailor. The fact that we do not know who the real sailor is with 100% certainty is intriguing to me. I would like to collect autographs from all three men, if at all possible. My biggest roadblock here is the inability to find Mr. Glenn McDuffie.
While the research on the nurse was much easier, I am having trouble. It is accepted as fact that Edith Shain is the nurse. However, I have heard conflicting arguments about whether she signs for free TTM or whether she charges through a website.
Could someone who is more experienced in the field of historical autographs or who has already collected the above mentioned people please help me?

[Selise]

I collect historical autos, so maybe I can help.

I have Glenn McDuffie. He doesn't sign autos TTM anymore.

Ms. Shain does not sign TTM anymore as far as I know. The last success I know from her is from 07 or early 08. (That was the last I heard of a success - but there could always be other successes that I don't know about). She does charge for signing off a website (I forget what it is offhand).

This link can be of some help in your search for addresses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%E2%80%93 ... mes_Square

[HitchcockFan]

Thank you for your help. How do you know that he no longer signs TTM?

[dobie516]

I got Carl Muscarello a few years ago. Besides signing the item that I sent he enclosed a signed copy of the famous photo and an article about himself.

[Selise]

Thank you for your help. How do you know that he no longer signs TTM?

I'm a member of quite a few collecting forums, and there are a few military forums that I'm on also. All the ones that I belong to have not seen successes at all from him since 06 or 07. I think the most recent one was from late 2007. That was on a military forum. I believe (would have to re-check I honestly forget) if someone got a note back from a relative or not. I suppose you could always try if you wanted his auto.

I was lucky enough to get him in '98 or '99.

[HitchcockFan]

Thanks for everyone's help!