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Author
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Topic: Reference book about flown memorabilia
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liebeek
Member Posts: 247
From: the netherlands
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 02-04-2009 12:54 PM
   
Does anybody know if there is any kind of reference book for flown items like flags, patches and similar things.Thanks,
Ruud |
sts205cdr
Member Posts: 649
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 02-04-2009 01:10 PM
One easy recommendation that comes to mind is: Relics of the Space Race, by Russ Still.--John |
liebeek
Member Posts: 247
From: the netherlands
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 02-04-2009 01:27 PM
Thanks John, I have Relics but I am looking for a guide which specializes in flown items only. Do I have to resort to auction guides? Are they a good indication as to what is on the market? But then I still don't know what is 100% authentic and what isn't. It is all a matter of trust but I want to know what indications I have to look for to be more sure before deciding to buy. Ruud |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 02-05-2009 05:59 AM
As far as I'm aware there is no such reference book.Relics is a great resource but makes little mention of flown souvenirs apart from medallions, covers and patches. I've often thought of putting some kind of site together but it would take some doing. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 02-05-2009 09:23 AM
I know nothing about creating one, but could we do some sort of wiki site where cS'rs and others could contribute photos and info about our flown items? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-05-2009 09:48 AM
A wiki site has been discussed before, but the format has been criticized for its lack of accountability. As just one example, it would be very easy for someone to use such a wiki to in essence, create provenance for an item they own with very few resources to dispute the misinformation. The problem with a published book dedicated to flown items is that it would be at best incomplete and at worst, premature. While collectors and museums have made significant advances on documenting what was flown and in what quantities, there is still much to learn. At the very least, I think we need to reach a point where the astronauts and/or their families, agree to release in full the personal preference kit manifests to establish a base through which auction sales and collection inventories could be correlated. That said, one idea I have heard proposed recently was to establish a uniform format that collectors would all agree to use on their own websites when presenting flown items. The virtual label would allow direct comparisons and some preliminary accounting by those in the hobby. Data fields might include the documented history behind the item but also when and where it was purchased and the chain of ownership as was known. |
liebeek
Member Posts: 247
From: the netherlands
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 02-05-2009 01:15 PM
Well, I suppose my question is answered then. There is no such book and I understand your point Robert. Thanks for answering. I will try to trust someone's judgment and good intentions. Is there no list of some sort which states names of dealers of these items of which one can 100% say they sell the real deal?A kind of gentleman's code could be developed? If you abide by it you will stay on the list? Is something like that feasible? Sellers on eBay and Astro Auction could earn a place on the list? Just brainstorming. Chris, I bought one of your flags and I know you are trustworthy because of your expertise and your love for the hobby and that is the sole reason I would buy from you again because it puts my mind to rest. Would it not be nice to have some documentation to that fact? The feedback system on eBay I don't trust anymore since I read about this Maksuta guy who sells supposedly "great" "flown" items I would really like to go for if I could only be sure... I would also like to have some kind of reference as to what should accompany a certain flown item to prove to a high probability its flown status. In other words, how did you all learn what to look for? In autographs I can honestly say I am becoming more of an "expert" every day, there is so much available to learn from. But flown items? Thanks anyway for all your answers. Ruud |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 02-06-2009 09:15 AM
Ruud, the auction catalogs of special spaceflight auctions also give a good idea of which flown items there're out there.  Philip
Belgium |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-07-2009 11:13 AM
One straightforward resource that would be of immense value to collectors -- but would admittedly but a huge undertaking -- would be if the catalog entries for the flown items offered through Superior Galleries, Christie's, Sotheby's, Swann Galleries, Regency-Superior Galleries, Aurora Auctions and Heritage Auction Galleries could be cross-referenced (for re-sales) and compiled online with the original lot descriptions, pre-auction estimates and hammer/sale prices such that the entries could be easily sorted by mission, memorabilia-type, etc.Of course, that would require the permission of all those auction houses to have their data included in such a database, and the process would be made that much easier, if those galleries could share the information in digital form (rather than having to re-type everything). |
music_space
Member Posts: 1179
From: Canada
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 02-07-2009 02:24 PM
This consolidated database should work to the advantage of all of those speciality auction, so I should expect them to play along and contribute digital archives.I have been integrating space auctions data to the best of my ability since 2001 in .xls files, for my own use. ------------------
Francois Guay
Collector of litterature, notebooks, equipment and memories! |
LCDR Scott Schneeweis
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 02-07-2009 05:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
A wiki site has been discussed before, but the format has been criticized for its lack of accountability. As just one example, it would be very easy for someone to use such a wiki to in essence, create provenance for an item they own with very few resources to dispute the misinformation.
Peer review and a rating system (which indicates confidence level in the entries) would mitigate this issue.------------------
Scott Schneeweis
http://www.SPACEAHOLIC.com/ |
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