Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

posted 12-31-2013 12:08 PM               

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Hi there. This is my first ever post, but I have enjoyed looking through other posts for a while. I'm looking for advice on the most economical way to obtain a legitimate moonwalker autograph on an 8X10 photo. I can't say that I'm very particular about which moonwalker it would be. I simply want to add a moonwalker autograph to my collection. I realize that a few in particular demand a premium price, which I really don't want to pay. I have seen Edgar Mithcell's website and know that I can get one of his autographs on an 8X10 photo for $75. Are there any other moonwalker autographs in this price range or less that one can acquire and be relatively certain as to the legitimacy of the autograph?

I'm a longtime autograph collector, and have hundreds from other areas such as athletes, actors, musicians, politicians, and even a couple supermodels. The vast majority of my autographs have been obtained in person or through family or friends who obtained them in person, and at little or no cost, so I'm not as familiar with purchasing something like this online, which makes me a little leery of getting burned by a forgery or autopen.

My only other space autograph is of John Glenn, which, as most on here know, he graciously signs for free. I also recently sent three photos to the Infinity Science Center to have signed by Fred Haise, and am looking forward to receiving those back. I am fascinated by all things space, but frankly, don't have the time or money to invest in collecting to the level that many on this board do, so any advice you can provide is greatly appreciated. I should also add that my autograph collection is for my own personal enjoyment and not an investment, so I'm not at all opposed to getting an autograph personalized to me, if that helps contain the cost. Thank you in advance, and I look forward to getting some feedback from you fine people!

Posts: 234
From: Freehold, NJ, USA
Registered: Aug 2013

posted 12-31-2013 12:15 PM               

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I know Charlie Duke's address is on the resources page. He charges a little over $100.

One person you could buy from and guarantee authenticity is Ken Havekotte. He has run the Space Coast Cover Service since 1983. You can e-mail him.

Also, you can buy Eugene Cernan's book for around $20, and he will sign it for free.

Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 12-31-2013 05:46 PM               

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Welcome to cS.

Despite appearances, I don't have much time or money to invest in space autographs either. I'm not sure how many astronauts come to MN, but a check of the sightings page, or Googling astronaut appearances for the month will be worth the while. If you're just into the moonwalkers, Charlie Duke is in demand as a speaker and makes more than the occasional appearances.

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

posted 12-31-2013 09:58 PM               

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Thanks for the replies! I'll look into your suggestions. I know that Buzz Aldrin was at the Mall of America a few years ago signing copies of a book, and a couple years before that, there was another moonwalker at a local jewelry store signing autographs. I have no idea why I didn't attend either event, since I've been into autograph collecting and space for quite some time. Oh well. Live and learn.

Thanks again, and have a happy and safe New Year!

Posts: 234
From: Freehold, NJ, USA
Registered: Aug 2013

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

Posts: 234
From: Freehold, NJ, USA
Registered: Aug 2013

Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000

Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 01-01-2014 11:53 AM               

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May I also suggest Gerry Montague's astronautarchives.com

Have a look in the "Garage Sale" section where moonwalker signed photos start at about $50!

Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008

Posts: 2914
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001

Posts: 234
From: Freehold, NJ, USA
Registered: Aug 2013

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

Posts: 234
From: Freehold, NJ, USA
Registered: Aug 2013

Posts: 2914
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001

Posts: 234
From: Freehold, NJ, USA
Registered: Aug 2013

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

posted 01-06-2014 04:05 PM               

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Just as an update, I decided to bite the bullet and went ahead and ordered an autographed photo from Edgar Mitchell's website for $75. I was very excited when I received the package in the mail today. What I learned is that next time, I'm going to send my own photo. I will say that the photo was printed on Fujifilm Crystal Archive paper, which I appreciate. That being said, the paper itself is very flimsy, and the printing wasn't border-to-border, i.e. there is a white border around the printing. The photo is matte, rather than glossy. All of this, though, is personal preference. I much prefer border-to-border, glossy photos, but I should have asked ahead of time. That's my fault for not inquiring.

The part that gets me, though, is that the photo itself was clearly not handled very carefully. Two of the corners are bent, one of them fairly noticeable. I can understand if I had sent the photo, that in the unpacking and re-packing, that kind of thing can happen, but when a photo is ordered directly, I would hope some care would be given to handling and packaging. The mailer itself wasn't bent, so this had to happen in the handling process. Luckily, the bends are on the white border and not the printed area itself, and should be covered when I frame it. The quality of the printed image, in my opinion, is also sub-par. It appears blurry, to my eye. Some of that may be the matte finish, which I always find to have a blurry feel to it, but I am suspicious that the printing process wasn't very high quality.

Overall, this was a disappointing experience. I do like the autograph for the most part, and I'm happy to have the autograph of a moonwalker. Still, I have learned a lesson to ask questions ahead of time, and to preferably send a photo of my own choosing to get signed. I wouldn't call $75 a drop in the bucket when one doesn't have a large budget for something like this, but it's a lot less than I could have spent on other signed items, and I now have a better idea of how to approach any future items I may want to purchase and/or have signed.

I did exchange emails with Ken and am looking forward to hearing what he has available as well. I am confident, from the posts I've seen on this board about Ken, that if I choose to buy anything from him, I'll be very happy with my purchase.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent a bit. I will still frame this photo, and I'm sure I'll like it when it is presented nicely.

Posts: 234
From: Freehold, NJ, USA
Registered: Aug 2013

Posts: 139
From: Canada
Registered: Nov 2012

posted 01-06-2014 05:36 PM               

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I sent two my Apollo 14 collages to Dr. Mitchell and and I got them back nicely signed, but one of them was slightly damaged. I was able to exchange it in person during the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's Astronaut Autograph and Memorabilia show.

The coming Spacefest will be a good opportunity to meet the hero and to do business with him.

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

posted 01-06-2014 06:20 PM               

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I'd love to meet a moonwalker (or any astronaut, to be honest) in person, but that's not really possible at this time unless they come to Minnesota. While I thought about inquiring as to exchanging/returning this autographed photo, despite my gripes, I am very excited to have the autograph of one of twelve people to ever walk on another heavenly body, and as stated, the handling damage should be covered when I frame it (I have my own mat cutter and am going to try to mount this with an Apollo 14 patch). At this point, I just plan to chalk this up as a lesson learned, and also see what Ken has to offer. I'm still glad I went through with this purchase, and I do think $75 was a reasonable price to pay for a moonwalker autograph. I just now know how I would proceed if I should choose to pursue future astronaut autographs. Despite being a bit disappointing, this has also been a productive learning experience.

Thanks for all the support and advice, and happy collecting!

Posts: 234
From: Freehold, NJ, USA
Registered: Aug 2013

Posts: 384
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Aug 2012

posted 01-07-2014 08:11 AM               

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Depending on where in Minnesota you live, according to Sightings on the left of this website the James Reilly appearance Sat 1/15AM in Wisconsin might be a chance for you to meet a shuttle astronaut...

There's nothing else nearby yet, not even in Canada (C. Hadfield).

Both for a great story and a free autograph, you need to immediately send a hardcover copy of "Last Man On The Moon" (with appropriate letter, book, return postpaid box) to Gene Cernan — he'll personalize it and perhaps write a short message) — see Resources also to the left!

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

posted 01-07-2014 12:51 PM               

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Thanks for the advice on the UV plexiglass, SE. I have done quite a bit of my own framing in the past and an very careful both in the materials I use and the placement of the items. I also tend to rotate the framed items that I put out both to prevent over exposure to light and to have different things to look at here and there.

lspooz, do you know if the book signing is free from Mr. Cernan, or is there a fee associated with it? I didn't see any mention of a fee on the resource page. I think I'll order a book this week and send it to him. I just want to make sure I cover any fees.

Posts: 234
From: Freehold, NJ, USA
Registered: Aug 2013

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

Posts: 384
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Aug 2012

Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 01-15-2014 09:10 PM               

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Here's how I send a book:

Get a medium-sized flat-rate Priority Mail box. Print postage on line with my name as both the from and to address (this way, no matter what happens, if postage goes up, Ipay it not the astronaut.) Put book and a roll of tape (for them to seal it) in box, lightly tape shut.

Write a letter to the astronaut, place it in envelope addressed to them. Tape the envelope over the return postage label.

Wrap the whole thing in brown kraft paper (preferred) or the reverse of wrapping paper (which is cheaper, but can get ripped off in the mail.) Address it to the astronaut. Bring to Post Office and mail.

This way, the astronaut gets the package, rips off the outer wrapping. S/he sees an envelope with their name on it, reads the letter and directions. Takes the book, signs it, seals it up including using the tape. Box either gets picked up by carrier or astronaut drops it off at post office.

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000