*HTML is ON *UBB Code is ON Smilies Legend
Smilies Legend
If you have previously registered, but forgotten your password, click here.
T O P I C R E V I E WRobert PearlmanReceived from Lovell's office: Effective October 1, 2003 Captain Lovell will no longer sign any items sent to him through the mail, including his book, Lost Moon/Apollo 13.WAWalsh I am sorry to hear this. I sent in and received back promptly a copy of "Apollo 13," which Capt. Lovell kindly inscribed to my daughter for her 10th birthday. She loved the inscription and the book. Hate to think that others will miss out on that extra enthusiasm.DC GiantsWell I got lucky. After many moons of procrastination, I sent off Jim Lovell's book Apollo 13 (Lost Moon) to him last week after I learned of his no-signing policy effective October 1st. I mailed his book three days before the deadline and... got the book back on October 3 with a personalized autograph! Thanks Mr. Lovell!cmsI've had an Apollo 13 beta cloth patch for over a decade now and I would really like to have it signed by Lovell. I've missed several events over the years and unfortunately, my job prevents me from traveling to many of the events Lovell might periodically attend. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or suggestions.Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to provide.mjanovecLovell hasn't done any mail-in signings in over 5 years... although it's possible he could do another mail-in signing at some point.He appears to be a regular at the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's autograph show each year. If you aren't able to travel to that event, you could likely find someone here on cS who is willing to get it signed for you... assuming, of course, you pay all of the fees and postage.Mike_The_FirstDoes Captain Lovell ever sign after he gives talks?I've got a copy of his book that I'd love to get autographed.Editor's note: Threads merged.lspoozI'm planning to be at the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's show in November (2014) and particularly look forward to my first meeting with Jim Lovell. If you need something signed I can assist (references available).Hart Sastrowardoyo quote:Originally posted by Mike_The_First:Does Captain Lovell ever sign after he gives talks? Yes and no. In the mid-2000s, as far as I know he signed just one thing, a book, at his Penn State appearance. Two years ago at the Naval Academy, he was signing for at least myself and one other person, and in my case Lovell wanted to know what book he was signing. Some Naval cadets or another attendee may have gotten photos signed — it's been some time since I saw the photos from the event.lspooz quote:Originally posted by lspooz:If you need something signed I can assist (references available). I'm now getting items for some cS'ers but to keep the list from growing much longer I can only still assist getting something signed by Capt. Lovell please.schnappsicleFor those of you interested in getting Jim Lovell to sign something at the ASF show, I emailed him about a month ago and he said that Marilyn would accompany him to the show. She is willing to sign photos as well, for a small fee of course. I'm planning on getting both of them to sign a Mt. Marilyn photo. I'm not sure why I want it. All I know is I've wanted one for a few years.Since we're talking about our Lovell experience, I'll throw in my two cents. I first met him at Spacefest III. If Lovell wasn't my favorite astronaut before then, he is now. He was absolutely great all weekend. I brought my daughter, who's not a space geek, with me. When she walked up to Lovell's table, he stood up and threw his arms open and invited her behind the table. When she got close enough to him, he reached out and hugged her like he'd known her his entire life. I couldn't have been happier. He made a very memorable impression on my daughter that day. Last year, I sent a photo I shot of the two of them for Lovell to sign at one of the Novaspace signings. It's a photo she'll always treasure.ChegiI received this signed Czech flag few days ago. I sent it to Captain Lovell in April, but it doesn't look at all like his autograph, can you help me. Is it possible it is his autograph after all? Or does anyone here recognize it as its handwriting? Thanks!Mike_The_FirstAre you saying that you got this as a free through-the-mail signature from Captain Lovell or you got it from a signing or...?The flag, from the picture, doesn't look like beta cloth to me. So if he tried to sign it like he would sign beta cloth, that could explain the inconsistencies. It does look to me like ballpoint pen, which would hold with that theory.That being said, the only free through-the-mail successes from Captain Lovell that I've heard of in the past few years have been strictly limited to his book, and even those are pretty rare. I also haven't seen one of those come back unpersonalized or with an Apollo 13 inscription. So if you are, in fact, saying that this is the result of one of those, I'm intrigued by that alone.If I misunderstood your comment, then the question comes down to the source and circumstances.At the end of the day, though, it looks like someone, whoever it is, signed a piece of fabric that can't take a signature with a ballpoint pen. That alone is going to give you a signature that most people wouldn't be comfortable giving 100% certainty on.I can say that the "L" is incredibly uncharacteristic, but if he gave up due to the pen and fabric refusing to cooperate and opted to print instead (which would be easier, given the amount of "flourish" in his usual signature), that would both offer a plausible explanation and muddle the issue even further.Long story short, if this was on paper, I'd say "that's bad, hands down, no matter where it came from." Since it's on fabric, I'm not comfortable saying anything more than "It may be real, depending on the story behind it, but it's not something I'd put in my collection."ChegiThis is actually from the well-known Lake Forest address. I wrote him about a year ago and sent him really long letter along with hand-drawn portrait with polite request to sign it for me. He actually did it! You can see it here.Since than I was thinking about display this portrait with Czech flag - I think most people know he is of Czech descent (from his mother's side). Therefore I sent him letter with this flag in April. I understand that signature on fabric can vary a lot, but as you said the "L" looks really strange. There are two possibilities, at least I think so. It it genuine autograph of Mr. Lovell, just because of the fabric it looks so strangeIt was "signed" by someone else, but it had to be someone within Mr. Lovell family, because of the address I used.stsmithvaI think it's a genuine Lovell autograph, and he had trouble signing on the material. I see 2-3 little things typical for a Lovell autograph that someone else would not bother with if he was going to get the "L" that wrong.Like Mike said above, the unusual signature would prevent someone else from wanting to buy it, but it's a nice addition to your collection! Mike_The_FirstSee, at this point, I'm incredibly intrigued, because he not only signed "out of policy," but did so twice for the same person. And, to top it all off, one of the items was fabric, which is both highly marketable (when done right) and more work for the signer to sign.The drawing I have no problem with. One of the first pieces of advice given to autograph collectors is "learn to draw" because sending pictures like that opens doors.On the flag, I have many thoughts: there was a period of time when Fred Haise signed freely through-the-mail between periods when he refused (prior to him collecting for Infinity) and nobody spoke about it out of fear that it would lead to him being deluged with mail. If Captain Lovell is doing the same now, my opinion could be based on outdated information.there are rumors that, after he quit signing, Neil Armstrong made a small handful of exceptions, but changed his signature in such a way that the market would decry it a forgery and it would only mean something to the person he signed it for. Bill Anders is said to do the same. It's possible that Captain Lovell didn't try as hard as he could have on this item, knowing that this conversation would come up. If that was the case, though, I don't know why he'd add the "Apollo 13" inscription.I've never heard of a bad return from Captain Lovell — if he didn't want to sign, he simply didn't answer. Ultimately, if this came from where you said it came from, it's highly likely to be good. It's also, for lack of a better term, "ugly."The "why" to both of those is what's puzzling me, but that really has nothing to do with the question you asked.David CareyMy sense is also that the flag signature is genuine. No expertise to back that up, but it seems like there are enough vestiges of his normal signature to call it OK, particularly given the material and surrounding story.I think it's quite a handsome signed flag, even if not typical. Congratulations, and enjoy both items with the bonus of a direct and personal story about their origins. Robert PearlmanI reached out to Jim Lovell, as that seemed to the clearest way to answer this question. He said that to his knowledge, he did not sign a Czech flag this year. He added: The "J" in the signature looks authentic but the rough cloth distorted the writing and "Lovell" it is not my usual style. Lovell's long-time assistant does not sign for him, so I don't know what happened in this case, but it seems the flag did not reach Lovell's hands.Mike_The_FirstThe plot thickens.I assume that Captain Lovell didn't clarify his signing habits and speak to whether or not he would have signed this had he received it (from a person he had previously signed for, to boot)?I know I'm the only one on this tangent, but it's the most intriguing part for me.Captain Lovell is a man who has no problems refusing autographs through the mail (he does so politely, of course), and, at paid signings, charges extra to sign fabric (presumably because, as we see here, it's a massive pain).For him to sign twice, for free, through-the-mail, for a single individual, with neither item being his book and one of them being a harder-to-sign item is what caught my attention early on.At this point we can assume, based on Captain Lovell's word, that such a thing didn't happen. But I still find the hypothetical intriguing.But the other thing to consider is, again, the what and the why. If this flag wasn't signed by Captain Lovell, then who signed it? Why did whomever signed it put so much effort into getting certain details right, only to completely give up on the "L"? Even Captain Lovell acknowledged that the "J" looks to be on point.Is there any chance he's denying having signed it only to dissuade the presumably numerous collectors who saw this post and came away thinking that his hard and fast rule isn't as hard & fast as it appears before they want to the post office to fill his mail box with flags? I hold Captain Lovell in very high esteem (among the highest of his peers) and consider him to be a man of great integrity, and even I wouldn't begrudge him a little white lie in a case like this.In the Haise situation I mentioned earlier, there was a reason that those of us that got lucky kept quiet, and it was altruistic rather than selfish. All in all, this is shaping up to be another Jack Lousma Skylab Wives Cover numbering mystery, but we may never get the answer here.Robert PearlmanI did not inquire about his policy, but it has not changed. Even if he decides to make an exception, that is not an invitation for people to start sending their items to him in hopes of an autograph. Years ago, he requested no more requests be mailed him; that should be respected.Mike_The_FirstObviously there's a difference between Captain Lovell making a quiet exception for a collector's request and actually opening the floodgates, but when one sees an exception being made for one person, they often do what they can to get one for themselves. It's human nature at this point.ChegiThank you, Robert! Your email to Captain Lovell is the proof I needed. Although I am disappointed of course from the fact, that he didnt sign it — I don't have to keep thinking about it and live in false hope. I will cherish the signed portrait I have in my collection. Without any doubts it is the most precious item for me, even though other autographs may be more pricey this is very special to me, and always will be. Captain Lovell is living legend! I wish my post won't start an avalanche of autograph request to Mr. Lovell, as Mr. Pearlman said, his policy didn't change. Both times I wrote him and never expected to actually get an answer and always was very polite and respectful — I would never send him just a photo with simple request. In his 89 years he deserve calm and not to sign dozens of photos everyday.mjanovecUnfortunately, posting of a successful signing result through the mail will do exactly that... open the floodgates for those looking for similar results. I suspect many astronauts occasionally break policy and sign for those who send in nice letters or unique items. (A signed drawing will have significantly less commercial value than a signed WSS litho.) But unfortunately that generosity can lead to receiving a flood of unwanted requests, especially once word gets out of a successful result through the mail.I suspect Lovell will think twice before he sends out another free signature.
Effective October 1, 2003 Captain Lovell will no longer sign any items sent to him through the mail, including his book, Lost Moon/Apollo 13.
Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to provide.
He appears to be a regular at the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's autograph show each year. If you aren't able to travel to that event, you could likely find someone here on cS who is willing to get it signed for you... assuming, of course, you pay all of the fees and postage.
I've got a copy of his book that I'd love to get autographed.
Editor's note: Threads merged.
quote:Originally posted by Mike_The_First:Does Captain Lovell ever sign after he gives talks?
quote:Originally posted by lspooz:If you need something signed I can assist (references available).
Since we're talking about our Lovell experience, I'll throw in my two cents. I first met him at Spacefest III. If Lovell wasn't my favorite astronaut before then, he is now. He was absolutely great all weekend.
I brought my daughter, who's not a space geek, with me. When she walked up to Lovell's table, he stood up and threw his arms open and invited her behind the table. When she got close enough to him, he reached out and hugged her like he'd known her his entire life. I couldn't have been happier. He made a very memorable impression on my daughter that day.
Last year, I sent a photo I shot of the two of them for Lovell to sign at one of the Novaspace signings. It's a photo she'll always treasure.
The flag, from the picture, doesn't look like beta cloth to me. So if he tried to sign it like he would sign beta cloth, that could explain the inconsistencies. It does look to me like ballpoint pen, which would hold with that theory.
That being said, the only free through-the-mail successes from Captain Lovell that I've heard of in the past few years have been strictly limited to his book, and even those are pretty rare. I also haven't seen one of those come back unpersonalized or with an Apollo 13 inscription. So if you are, in fact, saying that this is the result of one of those, I'm intrigued by that alone.
If I misunderstood your comment, then the question comes down to the source and circumstances.
At the end of the day, though, it looks like someone, whoever it is, signed a piece of fabric that can't take a signature with a ballpoint pen. That alone is going to give you a signature that most people wouldn't be comfortable giving 100% certainty on.
I can say that the "L" is incredibly uncharacteristic, but if he gave up due to the pen and fabric refusing to cooperate and opted to print instead (which would be easier, given the amount of "flourish" in his usual signature), that would both offer a plausible explanation and muddle the issue even further.
Long story short, if this was on paper, I'd say "that's bad, hands down, no matter where it came from." Since it's on fabric, I'm not comfortable saying anything more than "It may be real, depending on the story behind it, but it's not something I'd put in my collection."
Since than I was thinking about display this portrait with Czech flag - I think most people know he is of Czech descent (from his mother's side). Therefore I sent him letter with this flag in April. I understand that signature on fabric can vary a lot, but as you said the "L" looks really strange. There are two possibilities, at least I think so.
Like Mike said above, the unusual signature would prevent someone else from wanting to buy it, but it's a nice addition to your collection!
The drawing I have no problem with. One of the first pieces of advice given to autograph collectors is "learn to draw" because sending pictures like that opens doors.
On the flag, I have many thoughts:
The "why" to both of those is what's puzzling me, but that really has nothing to do with the question you asked.
No expertise to back that up, but it seems like there are enough vestiges of his normal signature to call it OK, particularly given the material and surrounding story.
I think it's quite a handsome signed flag, even if not typical. Congratulations, and enjoy both items with the bonus of a direct and personal story about their origins.
The "J" in the signature looks authentic but the rough cloth distorted the writing and "Lovell" it is not my usual style.
I assume that Captain Lovell didn't clarify his signing habits and speak to whether or not he would have signed this had he received it (from a person he had previously signed for, to boot)?
I know I'm the only one on this tangent, but it's the most intriguing part for me.
Captain Lovell is a man who has no problems refusing autographs through the mail (he does so politely, of course), and, at paid signings, charges extra to sign fabric (presumably because, as we see here, it's a massive pain).
For him to sign twice, for free, through-the-mail, for a single individual, with neither item being his book and one of them being a harder-to-sign item is what caught my attention early on.
At this point we can assume, based on Captain Lovell's word, that such a thing didn't happen. But I still find the hypothetical intriguing.
But the other thing to consider is, again, the what and the why.
I hold Captain Lovell in very high esteem (among the highest of his peers) and consider him to be a man of great integrity, and even I wouldn't begrudge him a little white lie in a case like this.
In the Haise situation I mentioned earlier, there was a reason that those of us that got lucky kept quiet, and it was altruistic rather than selfish.
I will cherish the signed portrait I have in my collection. Without any doubts it is the most precious item for me, even though other autographs may be more pricey this is very special to me, and always will be. Captain Lovell is living legend!
I wish my post won't start an avalanche of autograph request to Mr. Lovell, as Mr. Pearlman said, his policy didn't change. Both times I wrote him and never expected to actually get an answer and always was very polite and respectful — I would never send him just a photo with simple request. In his 89 years he deserve calm and not to sign dozens of photos everyday.
I suspect Lovell will think twice before he sends out another free signature.
Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts
Copyright 1999-2024 collectSPACE. All rights reserved.