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Author
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Topic: Help with valuation of space shuttle artifacts
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NASA_nut
New Member Posts: 4
From:
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-01-2015 12:18 AM
   
I've put together a little collection of some cool items and am looking at buying some insurance, but because of the nature of a few of my collectables I have no idea what they're worth. I'm hoping I can get some input from you knowledgeable and good looking folks. Please note: all items have been obtained legally and have (or can easily gain) provenance to show their authenticity: - Space Shuttle SRB Frangible Nut: both halves of the Inconel nut plus the debris from the detonator.
- Space Shuttle Tiles (x2) - Both black, still clear writing on each and rather large pieces (8" square, thickness varies).
- "Shuttle glass" - this one is a huge question mark for me. I've not come across it before, but my old boss at NASA offered a piece from one of his collections. This is apparently sand that has been melted by a launch (not a window pane)
- Crawlerway rocks (2) and gravel - rocks from the shared crawlerway and a handful of gravel from the Morpheus test area next to the shuttle landing facility.
- Flown flag - flown on STS-135.
Again, any help getting a ballpark would be fantastic, as I've never really considered selling any of this and wouldn't know the first thing about values. Thanks a ton! |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 07-01-2015 01:05 AM
Check with your home owners insurance agent. Mine covers my collection as part of my contents coverage. As far as value the flag $200-250 maybe. Have no idea on the glass, not a lot I would expect. Are the tiles pieces of a tile or are they full tiles? That makes a difference. Also do they have a white back with a red coating? That would indicate they are flown, I do not know on the nut. |
NASA_nut
New Member Posts: 4
From:
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-01-2015 01:54 AM
The tiles are full, but unflown, from tiles made as future replacements. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2475
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 07-01-2015 04:42 AM
I know the nut halves go from $500-$700 each, so both halves would be in the more than double that range since you have both halves. I would say between $1200-$1800. Just my thoughts. Here is a website for collectibles insurance. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-01-2015 06:05 AM
The price for shuttle items has certainly "rocketed" since the conclusion of the program.The tiles have typically doubled to around $300 a piece and the flag... something similar, in my opinion. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-01-2015 08:51 AM
Do you know if the frangible nut was used in testing or as part of a flight? As for the tiles, I would suggest a value range closer to $500 to $750 (flown tiles easily exceed $1,000). The shuttle glass — this is likely not from a launch but rather the testing of a solid rocket motor in Utah, where they lay down sand in the path of the blast. Examples embedded in lucite from one such test have sold for $50 retail. I think the value of the Morpheus gravel would be minimal. Crawlerway rocks (again embedded in lucite) have sold for $70 retail. And lastly, while most shuttle-flown flags sell in the $150 to $250 range, I would say a flag from the final flight would command a premium of $350 to $500. |
NASA_nut
New Member Posts: 4
From:
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-01-2015 01:36 PM
This is fantastic, thanks guys!The nut is one of the least documented pieces I have. I've tried a little to track down details, but the people who ran that department moved to other tasks after shuttle program shut down, so I haven't had any luck so far. Might do more if I were more interested in selling one day, but to me it doesn't much matter, they're still pretty cool pieces either way. The rocket/shuttle glass link might give me a direction to keep looking. Thanks for the lead! As for the gravel - that actually came off the crawlerway after the last shuttle mission as they were making renovations in preparation for SLS. They added new rock to the crawlerway and used the gravel to recreate a landing obstacle course for the Morpheus. But as you said, not a huge collectable. Thanks again for the help!! |
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