posted 11-23-2013 09:22 PM               

My father worked at a private airfield in S. Florida, and serviced all the planes the astronauts aircraft prior to and following missions.

This was written the same day the Apollo 13 crew was released to return to their families... literally hours after returning to Earth.

I have cherished this for many years, but financial hardships have caused me to consider selling this piece of space history. I am guessing there isn't another Jack Swigert autograph like this anywhere, since he stopped signing autographs before he ran for Congress.

posted 11-23-2013 10:04 PM               

The Apollo 13 crew reunited with their families in Hawaii, not Florida, and it was more than hours later.

The command module splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 17. The crew departed the primary recovery ship, the USS Iwo Jima, by aircraft the next day and was flown to Hawaii, where President Nixon was waiting with the crew's families. From there the crew was flown to Houston.

Also, I don't believe Swigert ceased signing autographs when he ran for Congress. Among other examples, Swigert distributed signed cards to which a penny was affixed as part of his campaign.

posted 11-24-2013 04:29 AM               

The airfield was Butler Aviation, not sure if that was the company or the airfield, but it wasn't Miami International, because it was an uncontrolled airfield with a radio in the maintenance shack... or whatever it was called.

The photo is signed: "To (My Father) with appreciation for all your efforts in getting me "underway," Jack Swigert, Apollo 13."

posted 11-24-2013 07:29 AM               

If it is authentic (and I strongly suspect that it is, particularly since it is inscribed) and if it is in good shape, then the primary driver of the value will be whether the image is Swigert's business suit photo or his white spacesuit (WSS) photo.

An inscribed business suit litho in good condition should fetch around $500-800 dollars, toward the high side if the purchaser has the same first name as your father.

An inscribed WSS litho should bring $1000-1500, or perhaps more ... for someone collecting a full set (well, as full as possible since some do not exist) of WSS lithos of Apollo astronauts, the Swigert is perhaps the most difficult to find.

All of that having been said, be cautious of e-mailed offers to buy your litho (I'm assuming it is a litho) -- there are some folks who may try to take advantage of your lack of knowledge about space collectibles to take advantage of you.

Particularly if your litho is a WSS, an auction house like RR Auction would likely be thrilled to include it in an upcoming auction (you will have to pay a fee to them) -- that might be the way to get the most money possible from the sale.

posted 11-24-2013 09:42 AM               

As mentioned above, WSS's usually sell for around $1000. Cards, postal covers, or other small items sell for around $200-300. I'd say that it's reasonable to expect several hundred dollars for your photo.

posted 11-24-2013 06:35 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by JAG92269:
The airfield was Butler Aviation, not sure if that was the company or the airfield, but it wasn't Miami International, because it was an uncontrolled airfield with a radio in the maintenance shack... or whatever it was called.

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