Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 03-25-2018 12:31 PM               

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I think I am safe in stating that all collectors of space hardware and flown artifacts have at times used the various space museums' holdings as a point of reference when researching the items we are adding to our collections. But I wonder how many among us have gone a step further and planned their purchases based on the museums' inventories?

I was recently browsing the National Air and Space Museum's online collection index (and, as an aside, I wish all museums had such a resource, because it is fantastic) when I came across an example of an artifact that I had previously seen and rejected buying from eBay.

I subsequently reversed course and bought the item primarily because it was represented in the Smithsonian's collection, which to me added weight to its importance to history.

Have others done the same? I know I have joked before about seeing museum displays as a "want it, need it, got it" checklist of sorts, but is that an activity our community shares?

Posts: 494
From: Italy
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 03-25-2018 12:58 PM               

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Robert, for me it is an inexhaustible resource! It is important to have objects with a story behind them.

I have visited the Smithsonian so often and talked to the curators, probably the best team in the world.

Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012

posted 03-25-2018 01:37 PM               

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When I am interested in a piece I usually research it prior to purchase, but sometimes purchases have to be spur of the moment, in which case I have checked such resources online after the item has been paid for.

It is an incredible resource and I am often in communication with one curator in particular about the history of said artifacts.

Posts: 1043
From: Dallas
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-25-2018 04:36 PM               

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Absolutely, I've done that for years and have photos of items on display in museums in instances where I have a similar piece at home. I've also used what I see in museums as motivation to go chase a new piece.

And I must say, when I first bumped into this website in mid-2001, I used the "editor's collection" as one of those museum collections to emulate. I miss that section of the site, Robert!

Posts: 873
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014

Posts: 782
From:
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 03-30-2018 10:16 AM               

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Greatly appreciate the Smithsonian's excellent online resources.

I've not consciously pursued items after seeing in a museum but have used museum presence as an (incentive? excuse?) in buying if learned of in advance research. "If it's good enough for them..."

A favorite example is an A8 water chlorination component whose Apollo 11 parallel is on display at the National Air and Space Museum. Pre-auction knowledge that NASM featured Apollo 11's equivalent artifact factored into my bidding.

Fun to see in person a few years after acquiring — another angle on what makes 'museum-inspired' collecting interesting. Darn right I took pictures!

Posts: 873
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014

posted 03-31-2018 05:13 AM               

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I have never used this resource to sway my buying plans but I am shocked at how many items in my collection are also in there collection.

I guess I have good taste?

Posts: 33
From: San Diego, CA. USA
Registered: Oct 2015