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Author
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Topic: Tang's Apollo 11 patch: open or keep sealed?
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Gonzo
Member Posts: 596
From: Lansing, MI, USA
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 02-22-2013 11:27 AM
   
Need some advice. I just won an auction on eBay for an original Tang Apollo 11 patch. Now those of you that know me will know that I bid on it purely because, a) you know Apollo is my favorite program and particularly Apollo 11, b) I don't happen to have this presentation yet, and c) I remember these when I was a kid and my parents wouldn't fork over the cash for one then. But here's my quandary. What I won is still sealed. It's never been opened. Do I open it to verify the contents or leave it sealed and closed? You can find pictures of what is on the inside, but how do you know what you have is correct if you don't? In these days of scams, verification would be a good thing. On the other hand, I can see how it's value may go up in time (probably not a lot, but hear my reason) if left sealed. Thoughts? |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-22-2013 11:55 AM
Are you saying the memento is in an opaque bag? If so I'd open it to check. Too much cyber scamming going on. Try to steam it open or use some other non-destructive way if possible. Perhaps you can verify the contents and still leave the bag available for re-sealing if necessary. Let's see some photos! |
Gonzo
Member Posts: 596
From: Lansing, MI, USA
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 02-22-2013 12:27 PM
Would this suffice? Vintage Official Apollo 11 Patch from Tang Neil Armstrong NASA Sealed |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-22-2013 12:41 PM
You should be able to steam the envelope open without damaging it. I don't believe the difference between a sealed envelope and a carefully steamed-open one will affect the value too greatly, especially since you have less than $20 invested in the piece.(This video also suggests freezing it.) |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 02-23-2013 06:26 AM
Schrodingers Patch? |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-23-2013 07:15 AM
That's a nice looking memento and uncommon in my experience. I'd frame it and display it! |
Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 808
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 02-23-2013 07:37 AM
It should be less about maximizing the value and more about enjoying the artifact. Just my 2. |
Gonzo
Member Posts: 596
From: Lansing, MI, USA
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 02-23-2013 02:57 PM
Thanks guys!I agree it's about the item, not the value. However it doesn't make sense to do things that will devalue it either. My only question was about verifying the contents. With all the scams these days I'd rather not find a few years from now when I may need to open it that it's filled with newspaper clippings! |
schnappsicle
Member Posts: 396
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 02-23-2013 03:09 PM
I agree with Pearlman. It only cost $20, so whats the big deal? It's not like you're going to lose hundreds if you open it, nor are you likely to gain much by keeping it sealed. |
mach3valkyrie
Member Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 02-23-2013 03:45 PM
I would open it as neatly as possible and display both pieces. Nice item! |
Gonzo
Member Posts: 596
From: Lansing, MI, USA
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 02-25-2013 07:29 AM
quote:
Originally posted by rgarner:
Schrodingers Patch?
I wonder how many people got this joke...  |
YankeeClipper
Member Posts: 617
From: Dublin, Ireland
Registered: Mar 2011
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posted 02-25-2013 09:43 AM
quote:
Originally posted by rgarner:
Schrodingers Patch?
For this experiment in der Quantenmechanik if you find a radioactive source and a small flask of hydrocyanic acid in that envelope, you will have far more things to worry about than whether the patch is real or not! Back up real slow and call Homeland Security... |
Gonzo
Member Posts: 596
From: Lansing, MI, USA
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 02-25-2013 10:33 AM
LOL. Unfortunately, if that WERE to happen, I'd be calling a bunch of people; Homeland Security would probably NOT be one if them. |
Gonzo
Member Posts: 596
From: Lansing, MI, USA
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 03-03-2013 07:36 PM
Last update - I received my patch. It is wonderful and exactly like the pictures posted. I did steam it open (thanks Robert!) very carefully. I suppose I could steam it again to seal it back up, but that seems like cheating somehow, having let the genie out of the bottle, so to speak. There was no damage to the envelope so it is still as pristine as a 40+ year old envelope can be. Only open now.By the way, if anyone is interested in these, they pop up from time to time on EB. There's another listed right now I think. Thanks for all the advice. Thought I should post some closure to my question.
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Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 03-04-2013 10:50 AM
Seems to me if you open it, you'll have to keep it refrigerated. |
Gonzo
Member Posts: 596
From: Lansing, MI, USA
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 03-04-2013 01:10 PM
Nah. It's flight certified so it has a shelf life in the order of a thousand years... |
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