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'Pen and Ink'

The elite autograph hunters who chase the most elusive and notorious leaders in the world.

To get the world’s rarest autographs, America’s top autograph hunters go to extraordinary lengths to make friends in high places. We hear about the ways spies have used invisible ink over the years. The British cartoonist Ralph Steadman tells us about his fascination for US politics and the American cartoonist Box Brown gives us some tips on how to draw a giant. Also in this edition, we try to find new images to represent Africa and Chilean-born author, Marjorie Agosin, tells us about her first days in the US.

(Photo: Randy Kaplan's collection of customized baseball bats signed by US presidents and high-ranking officials. Courtesy of Randy Kaplan)

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27 minutes

Last on

Sun 29 Jun 2014 14:32GMT

Chapters

  • Autograph Hunter

    In search of the world’s most valuable autographs

    Duration: 03:36

  • Invisible Ink

    Real-life tales of a spy’s favourite tool

    Duration: 06:33

  • Ralph Steadman

    The cartoonist talks about his inspirations

    Duration: 05:00

  • Andre the Giant

    A new graphic novels tells the story of the famous wrestler

    Duration: 03:53

  • Picturing Africa

    Thirty-six different books about Africa with the same cover

    Duration: 02:30

  • Poems of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

    A new immigrant turns to poetry to feel connected with home

    Duration: 03:57

Broadcasts

  • Sat 28 Jun 2014 03:32GMT
  • Sun 29 Jun 2014 14:32GMT

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