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Author
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Topic: What was the best bargain at Aurora?
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spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 11-10-2003 07:42 AM
   
Just interested to see what people reckon were the best bargains in the Aurora auction. Doesn't have to be something you got yourself, just something you saw close at a price that made you go - whoa that's cheap! |
ALAIN
Member Posts: 355
From: GENT, Belgium
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-10-2003 08:48 AM
Bargains ... WoeHaHa ... at least what books is concerned ... no bargains there!
e.g. A NASA Special Publication Hardcover on the "Chronology of Skylab" sold for US $ 150.00 ... It might be its value but I found one last month in pristine condition for US $ 40.00 !!! |
Rick Boos
Member Posts: 851
From: Celina, Ohio
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 11-10-2003 11:04 AM
I would say the Gus Grissom "flown" gold capsule lapel pin, and the Liberty Bell 7 "flown" dime. I can't believe that these two items went so low. Glad for the buyers but sad day for the seller. I sure the heck wouldn't think of selling my "flown" MR-4 capsule lapel pin for that price! Plus the seller had to pay a sellers fee on top of that.
Rick
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Matt T
Member Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
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posted 11-10-2003 11:51 AM
Speaking of bargains, does anyone who attended the sale know what the story was with lot 293, the PPK-type beta cloth bag? It's catalogue description listed it as 'possibly flown' simply because it was dirty, but no documentation was offered and no mission suggested. Not really a 'safe' flown item in my book.However on the live eBay window during the auction the following happened -
Bidding opened, there was the usual lull of about ten seconds, a couple of low bids and then a small message appeared saying 'This item is flown...', no mention of 'possibly'. I didn't see a similar message during other flown lots, so it came across very strongly (at least on the internet) as some sort of update.
Immediately the bids came flying in (both internet and in the auction room), rising quickly from around $200 to about $650 where the item was won. So was additional proof offered? If it was then I'd put this lot forward as the bargain of the day. If there wasn't anymore proof then I'd say the 'This item is flown...' message was a bit naughty. Anyone know? Cheers,
Matt |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-10-2003 12:12 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Matt T:
Bidding opened, there was the usual lull of about ten seconds, a couple of low bids and then a small message appeared saying 'This item is flown...', no mention of 'possibly'.
The consignor was apparently attending the auction and announced to the room that the bag was "also flown" -- no further details provided -- when the bidding began. As in-person bidders now had that information to consider, Victoria had Scott, who was tending to the eBay bidders, add the information to the online notes. (At least that's a description of what I witnessed in the room; you'll need to write Aurora for any further details.) [This message has been edited by Robert Pearlman (edited November 10, 2003).] |
Matt T
Member Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
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posted 11-10-2003 12:39 PM
I can see that it was a hard judgment call for Aurora to have to make but did no one think to ask for any kind of proof, or even which mission?The item tripled in price as a result of the seller's intervention - fair enough if proof is included with the lot, but if not... Cheers,
Matt
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rocket ron
Member Posts: 42
From: cypress,ca, usa
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 11-10-2003 02:57 PM
I didnt understand how someone could, in the middle of an auction, announce the item as flown. No other information was shared with those in attendance. Either way it was unfair to bidders as you could hope their was proof of the items history or bid and ask questions later. No bargin for me but I got the A11 Robbins Medal, which was something I'd wanted for a long time. Missed opportunity...the signed group 2 photo on Sunday, I'd almost trade the Robbins for that. |
connoisseur
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 11-10-2003 05:07 PM
Gentlemen - Thank you all for participating in the sale and for making it a truly outstanding event. Victoria and I appreciate your participation and input.
As was pointed out, there were some bargains in the sale and some items that went exceptionally strong. Such is the nature of an auction. For those of you who were alert, you were able to pick off some sleepers. Those who weren't can point to those items that went lower than expected and say it wasn't fair to the seller. Such is life.
Re the comments about the PPK that was announced during the sale as having been flown, blame this on the consignor not telling me about this item at the time it was consigned. I was as shocked (and upset) as was everyone else when he called this fact out during the sale. Had he told me it was flown ahead of time, I could have written it up accordingly and he would have received a much higher realization. As it is, he got a higher price, but not as high as he should have. The buyer took a chance on the attribution, but he will prove to have hit a winner.
The consignor worked for NASA in the 1960s/70s in the shop that prepared flown items for presentation to dignitaries. He personally emptied NASA PPKs after the flights and made the placques and certificates using the flags and other items from the PPKs. In this case he saved the PPK after he emptied it (after all this time, he doesn't remember which flight, although this may be traceable thru the P/N number on it), rather than throwing it out. If anyone knew if a PPK was flown or not, it was him. He mentioned to me after the sale that ALL PPKs were flown as far as he knew. I don't know if I would go along with that BUT, he was definitely in the right place to know about flown PPKs. Is there proof, other than that which is self-serving, than no, there isn't. But, since none of us were there, can we dispute his statement about this PPK? The buyer will be receiving a coa from the consignor that this PPK was flown.
Michael Orenstein |
Michael
Member Posts: 309
From: Brooklyn New York
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 11-12-2003 09:33 AM
I think item 394 was the best bargain. A signed crew picture of Apollo 1 for 4250!!!!! I would have bought that if I had known. How much does that item usually go for???? | |
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