posted 07-14-2001 09:53 AM               

For anyone who has not seen this entertaining PBS show, the premise is quite simple: collectors and treasure-seekers gather in droves to have 70-some odd experts appraise their finds. If your piece is deemed notable out of the 13,000 items reviewed (6,500 tickets distributed, each accompanying two items) then they film the appraisal for later airing as part of their one hour, weekly show.

Anyway, my ticket was for 9:30 entry, so I arrived about an hour ahead of time at the Jacob Javitts Convention Center in Manhattan. The line for the 8:30 ticket holders was already several hundred deep and I was directed to the end. Though the crowds were reminiscent of waiting for rides at Disney World, the time passed was rather enjoyable as those near each shared stories about what they brought to have appraised.

I had brought four items, waiting until the last minute to decide which two would ultimately be appraised. They were:

1. an autographed "Who's Who In Space: The First 25 Years" book
   
2. the commander's "Day 8, Meal C" package from Apollo 13
   
3. a Space Shuttle EVA glove (micrometeoroid layer only)
   
4. a fragment of material from Alan Shepard's MR-3 parachute

The first step is be directed to a specialist. The volunteers who were organizing who goes where debated for a little as to where to send me, but ultimately both my book and artifact were directed to the Collectibles tables.

Ushered there by another volunteer, I stood once again in line until I was directed to the very pleasant Elyse. She looked familiar and for good reason -- she lead the Christie's 1999 space memorabilia auction for the first session.

I first presented the Apollo 13 meal. She asked where I acquired it (Superior, which she guessed before I could answer), how much I paid and what I thought it was worth. She then placed it to the side and turned her attention to my "Who's Who."

Her face lit up when I told her the story behind its "creation." After a few minutes of flipping through the pages she said she wanted to have it filmed and led me to the show's producer. I presented my story once again and it was agreed I would be filmed, for a segment at the appraiser's station (not the "center" tables more often associated with the show).

I then waited. And waited. And waited some more. The film crew was backlogged and as such I was invited to sit behind Elyse as she continued her appraisals. Again, the time passed was fun watching what others had brought.

One poor guy lugged what was obviously a heavy box over, spent 10 minutes unwrapping it to unveil a framed Declaration of Independence. He was positive it was real. The appraiser (Rudy, sitting to Elyse's side) took one look, saw the words printed at the bottom: "Reproduction" and quickly dismissed the collector. Other items included an album of original photos from the 1939 World's Fair, numerous watches from the 1950s (all worth about $10 each) and some old bottles and glasses worth less the day they were created.

Finally, the camera crew arrived and they filmed a two minute segment of Elyse and I talking about the book. At the close, she revealed her estimate.

"Given that its one-of-a-kind and given that there is a great story which accompanies the book, I would estimate it would sell for $8000 to $10,000. If you continue collecting, it could probably be worth much more."

After the camera crew left, Elyse said she wanted her own camera crew to film my story (and book) and led me outside the hall to find them. For those in the NY area, she is with Metro. They filmed a slightly longer segment where I talked about both the Apollo 13 meal and Who's Who.

If my Antiques Roadshow segment makes the final cut, it will air sometime next year. I do not know when or if my Metro segment will air, but if I hear anything I will let you know.

posted 07-18-2001 01:19 AM               

I assumed prior to attending that they would not have anyone present who could really be considered a space memorabilia specialist. By definition, their "specialists" had to be generalists, in order to handle the 13,000 items they were to see that day.

Furthermore, to the show' s producer at least, the attraction of the 'Who's Who" was not so much its historical signficance as the story of its creation. When compared in this resspect, the A-13 meal (which was machine produced and was mostly a minor component of the mission) becomes less interesting.

Besides, I was able to tell the appraiser how much I paid for the meal and how much similar items had sold for at auction, so in essense I already knew the meal's value before even stepping up to the table.

posted 07-18-2001 11:21 AM               

The book has always been more of a personal memento than a piece of memorabilia. In fact, when I display my collection, it is rarely (if ever) included.

And though I am aware of the value of the individual autographs contained within, I have never seen another piece sell with so many of together on the same piece.

posted 12-15-2001 11:51 AM               

PBS has now released the 2002 broadcast schedule:

• Feb 11 New York - Hour One
  
• Feb 18 New York - Hour Two
  
• Feb 25 New York - Hour Three

posted 02-11-2002 10:11 PM               

Look for the woman with the milk pasteurization set; behind her you can see where I first received my appraisal. Wait a bit and you can see me walk towards the camera, "Who's Who" in hand (I was off to wait for my time in the spotlight, i.e. the camera crew).

posted 02-18-2002 08:12 PM               

The second episode filmed in New York aired tonight and no later than five minutes into the program, my Who's Who filled the screen!

posted 02-19-2002 02:53 PM               

The segment seemed brief on air, I am sure there was more background though.

I got the impression that collecting space is a new genre, and the people we post with day in and day out in these groups, are the experts. That is compared to people who rated those antique dolls or furniture for example.

posted 02-19-2002 04:21 PM               

Years ago on the Roadshow an ex-NASA employee had a dollar bill signed by John Glenn and flown on Friendship 7. It was framed with the matte signed by dozens of employees involved with the launch. The appraiser said something along the lines that it was "interesting but with little value" as few would be interested in such an item. I believe he appraised it for $400-500. I think most of us know it's worth a "bit more."

While the show has many excellent experts, even autograph specialists would have a hard time appraising astronaut/cosmonaut autographs. They wouldn't know that while the field of hardcore collectors of space memorabilia is quite small, we highly value, and compete quite hard often paying big bucks for the truly rare items.

posted 02-19-2002 04:28 PM               

Seriously though, the Roadshow is first to admit when they do not have an expert to your particular item. Sure there are errors (the flown bill Wayne described is a perfect example) but when I presented my flown Apollo 13 meal, even Elyse (the appraiser) wasn't comfortable venturing a guess -- she recommended contacting Superior.