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Author
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Topic: Vintage of Apollo Beta cloth patches
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stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-14-2009 10:09 AM
   
One of the two items I am thinking of having Michael Collins sign is an Apollo 11 beta cloth patch I got at the recent Regency-Superior auction. I would appreciate it if those far more knowledgeable than I about such patches could confirm that it is a vintage item, produced at the time of the launch. The one telling detail is that there is neat half-inch, off-white border going all around it. Part of the manufacturing process? Thank you very much for your time. |
328KF
Member Posts: 1234
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 02-14-2009 12:30 PM
That is one I would definitely get signed. Another version is often seen without the Apollo 11 across the top, and was sold as part of a set to the public with a flag and commemorative landing patch.I would not put these in the "official" or "vintage" category. The patch you have is certainly both. The edging around it is seen on many beta patches...I have some on my Apollo 9 and 10 betas. It was applied to keep the edges from fraying, which is something you see alot of in patches without it. It's going to look great signed! Congratulations! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42984
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-14-2009 12:47 PM
With regards to vintage, is there really such a thing as a non-vintage Beta cloth patch? I was under the general understanding that all of the Apollo emblems that exist were made in the late-1960s to early 1970s, as single runs, i.e. once a patch was made in quantity, it wasn't made again (with the exception, as noted, of the commemorative patch set sold to the public but even that dates back to the same period). |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 02-14-2009 02:20 PM
And personally, I'd like to know what the material is that was put around the edges to prevent fraying. I have several flown that do not have it, and they fray of course. And I have one that does have it, and it does not fray. It is not as thick of a band as the one above, but it does a nice job of "holding it all together" and can easily be matted out. |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-14-2009 02:33 PM
As always, the cS community comes through! Thanks again. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 02-14-2009 02:35 PM
I have a "non-original-vintage" Apollo 11 Beta cloth which I'm having signed. It's an 8" diameter emblem on a piece of Beta cloth that's nearly 1 by 1-1/2 feet! It was produced by Owens Corning as a commemoration of their role in the the Moon landings. I heard there was some fear that there have recently been people making pirated Beta cloth patches using the capabilities of new litho machines and blank Beta cloth runs. I think that if you are reasonably sure your piece looks more than a year or two old, you can figure that it's probably vintage. (I know that's not very scientific...) |
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