Your Most Coveted Piece of Memorabilia : Paul Thomas
I am getting the best submissions from you guys on Instagram for Your Most Coveted Piece of Morrissey Memorabilia- keep them coming!
This special delivery is located in the U.K. and is Paul’s most coveted piece of memorabilia…
Name: Paul Thomas
Age: 38
Currently lives in: Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, England
It was 1994. Paul, then sixteen, clumsy and shy, was paging through NME magazine when he happened upon an advert selling pop stars’ addresses for £2.50. An avid fan of Moz since 1991, the only address of interest he had in obtaining was Morrissey’s (naturally), so he sent in his request and his money.
“Around two weeks later I received a letter back which included Morrissey's address. Surely this couldn't be real though??
“Well, I decided to write a heart felt letter to Morrissey telling him how much I loved him and his music, and included the fact that I’d read an article where it stated he had been to watch Chelsea play at Stamford Bridge several times. As I was going there in a months time to watch my team Leicester City, could I possibly meet him and get his autograph?
“I posted said letter and after a week or so passed I basically just forgot about it. Then, one day during the school holidays I went to work for my dad on the market. Using my wages for the day I bought Morrissey's new single, "Hold Onto Your Friends" and when I returned home that day eager to play it I was given a parcel that had arrived that morning. The only person who ever wrote to me was my nan so I was eager to see what she had sent.
“I noticed my name and address in a large scrawly handwritten writing and thought she'd got a bit carried away. Then, I opened my parcel and pulled out a record: it was the same I’d bought earlier but with a different picture… A promo copy? How had she gotten this?? I turned it over and for a second was distraught to think that she'd written on the back of it. But then it dawned on me exactly what was written and by whom…
“Paul, With all good wishes to you and Leicester F.C. -Morrissey”
“I froze and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end- it was from Morrissey!!!! It is still today kept in all of its packaging and is my most treasured possession. I even got the signature copied exactly and tattooed on my arm.” - Paul Thomas
Perhaps one of the most surprising packages ever to appear on any of our doorsteps, Paul! Thank you so much for sharing!
What’s your most coveted piece of Morrissey/Smiths memorabilia? Share it with us on Instagram and tag @vivalovephotoproject for a chance to be featured on the blog!
Scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen…
