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Author
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Topic: Record price for an unflown patch?
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spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 03-22-2007 03:36 PM
   
Tonight saw two interesting patch auctions from the Clyde Teague collection:An Apollo 9 patch which sold at $1101. A original Gemini 9 crew patch which sold at $1252. The Apollo 9 patch is identical to one in my own collection but is not the same as that used by the crew on their post-flight coveralls. I've seen examples of the same design listed as flown in a few space auctions. The Gemini 9 patch is of course the rare crew version. The last one I saw was from the Walt Salyer collection in the Aurora Spring 2006 2nd chance auction. This is the first time I've seen any unflown patches sell for over $1000 but maybe I've missed some examples. Has anyone seen higher prices fetched by patches? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42984
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-22-2007 03:55 PM
quote:
Originally posted by spaced out:
The Apollo 9 patch is identical to one in my own collection but is not the same as that used by the crew on their post-flight coveralls.
Most interesting to me was that it was missing the red in McDivitt's "D". After finding a couple of these that match the style and appearance as the "labeled" flown version (ap09-em1 on Dorr's website), I asked McDivitt (via Novaspace's Q&A) about its history. His answer (again via Novaspace): "As for the 'red D' on the Apollo 9 patch, that was designed into the patch from the beginning, as Apollo 9 was the 'D' mission." Thus, I'd be keen to learn more about the vintage of these "red-less D" patches... |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 03-22-2007 04:10 PM
Here was my original post when I acquired one of these "red-less D" patches: http://collectspace.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000418.html
John Bisney said it was produced by Texas Art Embroidery although he wouldn't elaborate on how he'd discovered this. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42984
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-22-2007 04:15 PM
It appears that the font on your "red-less D" and the font on mine are different, as are the backs.Yours:  Mine:  The patch in the eBay auction looks more like yours. Mine appears to be the same style as the one Dave Scott offered as flown (per Dorr's website). I also have a version of the same patch with the red "D" that appears to be like those worn by the crew for photos taken in front of their Saturn V. [Edited by Robert Pearlman (March 22, 2007).] |
Bill Hunt
Member Posts: 399
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 03-22-2007 05:10 PM
Yeah, those prices were awfully high for unflown patches. I paid about $500 each for a set of 6 unflown original Gemini patches last year, but over $1000 is terribly steep for just one - especially for one of the later flights. It could have to do with the fact that they come from the Teague collection.As for the Apollo 9 patch, the one on the bottom is considered the "official" crew patch when it has the red-filled "D" - at least that's the one they wore for the crew picture. Obviously there was a version of this patch made with out the red "D" as well - I have one of each in my collection. As for the other one - the Texas Art Embroidery version - it remains to be seen how rare it is. I think $1000 for that one is steep as well. ------------------
Bill Hunt [Edited by Bill Hunt (March 22, 2007).] |
benguttery
Member Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 03-22-2007 07:17 PM
Quite stunning prices. Makes me feel a little less crazy for some prices I pay.My "red-less D" is different from all of these. It is simply embroidered on twill cloth material. Again, no red "D". Enjoy your patches. Ben
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JFS61
Member Posts: 101
From: Bryan, Texas USA
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 03-22-2007 09:20 PM
As one of the bidders for the Gemini patch, I was a bit taken aback myself, but to be honest, not totally surprised (just more like extremely bummed).As for the "red-less" D AP9, I can't fathom that one at all, as I picked up a pair of these at an Aurora auction (one loose, one still sealed) for less than $200.00 (might have been closer to $150.00). Heck, if anyone out there still wants one bad enough, I might be willing to part with one for the bargain price of say, $750.00. Heck, I'd even throw in complimentary shipping/insurance!  James [Edited by JFS61 (March 22, 2007).] |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 03-23-2007 02:20 AM
In terms of the Gemini 9 patch I suppose it's a simple question of supply and demand. As it's the definitive crew patch the demand is obvious and to say that the supply is limited would be an understatement. I've only seen three sold in the last few years - this one, Walt Salyer's, and the one in the set that Bill got.The combination of extreme demand and extremely limited supply leads to extrreme prices. |
JFS61
Member Posts: 101
From: Bryan, Texas USA
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 03-23-2007 03:22 AM
Sorry if my previous post seemed just a tad bit flippant. Had a bad day yesterday on several levels, and it just kinda popped out.James |
willisdj
Member Posts: 37
From: Satsuma, AL 36572
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 03-28-2007 07:52 AM
It must be pointed out that the AP9 patch that sold for over $1000 is indeed quite rare. It could be that this particular patch is being confused with others that may have the redless 'D'. The AP9 patch in question is noticeably larger than any other AP9 patch I have, measuring 4-1/8", a good 1/4" larger than any other AP9 patches in my collection - a significant distinction.Don
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