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Author
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Topic: R&R Enterprises July 2009 auction
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MichaelRR
New Member Posts: 4
From: Amherst, NH, USA
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted 06-16-2009 02:34 PM
   
I was hoping for some guidance from everyone at collectSPACE. In our July 2009 auction, which ends on July 17, we are offering an amazing and one-of-a-kind Neil Armstrong personal check, dated the day of the Apollo 11 launch, July 16, 1969, issued to NASA official Harold Collins, which some of you may be familiar with. The story goes that Armstrong told Collins not to cash it because "I will be coming back." I was wondering if anyone could corroborate that story for me, and maybe even direct me to the actual source of the quote? For anyone wanting a sneak preview of the check, click here. Any insight would be greatly appreciated! ------------------
Michael Nelson
Sr. Catalog Writer
rrauction.com |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 06-16-2009 09:31 PM
That check is, indeed, a most unique and amazing piece of history you have for sale in July -- a one-of-a-kind rarity with amazing mission association, and probably and rightfully arguably the rarest Armstrong autograph a collector could own. While I do not have exact confirming info, there is perhaps corroborating information. The Raab Collection has Pete Conrad's launch day check to Harold Collins for sale as well. You can see it, and the Raab description, here. You will notice that the check is not canceled as well, and kept so for luck. It's also for 50 cents less -- so, Pete wasn't as generous a lender as Neil!  Given the drama and importance of the Apollo 11 flight, this is arguable Neil Armstrong's last autograph before that flight -- a flight that even Nixon was unsure of would succeed and created a "just in case" speech to mourn the crew's loss. I can't think of a more dramatic and important Armstrong/Apollo 11 autograph for any collector to have. It will be amazing to see what this item realizes in your July auction. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 06-17-2009 08:58 AM
So, the bidding starts at $10.50, right? But since the check is more than 6 months old, I guess most banks won't cash it any more. So maybe it's worthless, then? |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 06-17-2009 01:14 PM
So what percentage of the seller's commission do we get for helping out R&R with the description for this item?  The check has been mentioned here on cS a few times before, including this discussion. I don't think the story regarding it's significance has ever been challenged, that I'm aware of. I think it's safe to say the story is likely accurate. Also, Noah (the check's previous owner) used to display a photo on his website that showed Armstrong at the pre-launch breakfast with his checkbook clearly visible on the table in front of him. I believe Harold Collins attended most, if not all, of these pre-launch meals. So this photo was likely taken just prior or after the check was signed. I suspect, however, that calling it "perhaps the single greatest Apollo 11 artifact in private hands" might be a little bit of a stretch. In my opinion, numerous flown hardware and personal items that have come up for auction in the past decade or so have been of equal or greater significant historic value. Also, I suspect there are items within the private collections of Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins that are significantly more historic. Having said that, I think the check is one of the nicest Armstrong-signed items associated with the Apollo 11 mission. The check tells a story that many other signed items do not. |
mensax
Member Posts: 861
From: Virginia
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 06-17-2009 02:19 PM
If you'd like to see the sub-site that I made for the Neil check you can still view it here... |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 06-18-2009 02:05 AM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
I suspect, however, that calling it "perhaps the single greatest Apollo 11 artifact in private hands" might be a little bit of a stretch.
Hyperbole is the word you're looking for. That said, this is a great item and probably one of the most interesting Armstrong signatures you could hope to find. It should definitely be worth more than the usual WSS SPs, which already fetch amazing amounts. |
mikelarson
Member Posts: 293
From: Port Washington, NY
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 06-18-2009 09:25 AM
This item is going to bring huge dollars in the auction due to it's story and uniqueness. I'm guessing at least $20-25K. Did anyone see what the Einstein photo went for in the latest RR auction that closed yesterday? Over $70K with BP! |
MichaelRR
New Member Posts: 4
From: Amherst, NH, USA
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted 06-19-2009 02:53 PM
Thanks for the kind words and insight about the check. We are all really excited about having it, and looking forward to offering it in the upcoming auction. ------------------
Michael Nelson
Sr. Catalog Writer
rrauction.com |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 07-02-2009 10:29 AM
So far, this item is doing rather well -- considering how most heavy bidding really doesn't take place until the last day in the last hour. This is going to be fun to watch! |
Michael
Member Posts: 309
From: Brooklyn New York
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 07-02-2009 01:59 PM
Another great item is the tribute to Ted Freeman, item 492. I wonder which will come at a higher price? What does everybody think? |
dbeigie
Member Posts: 160
From: Seattle, WA USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-12-2009 12:53 PM
In addition to the high profile items like the Armstrong check and Ted Freeman memorial book, there's also some vintage red-number glossies and other vintage mission glossies featuring moonwalkers as well as moon landing mission crews and the Apollo 13 crew. Many of the bids are either at the opening bid or slightly higher - so still reasonably affordable. |
dbeigie
Member Posts: 160
From: Seattle, WA USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-12-2009 12:58 PM
One note on the Ted Freeman piece. The sigatures are on a single page, front and back. So effectively the winning bidder would have the signatures of Groups 1,2 and 3 on a single document (with the exception of Freeman's signature of course.) |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-14-2009 09:36 AM
Boston Globe: One giant signature for mankind The check was offered for consignment by Noah Bradley of Charlottesville, Va., a collector of space memorabilia who bought the item from Collins's son in 2002. With the anniversary of Armstrong's moon walk approaching, Bradley decided to resell."As collectors, we are always temporary custodians of any item, and sometimes it's time to let it go somewhere else," said Bradley, 52, who restores and rebuilds historic homes. "If you're interested in space collecting, Neil Armstrong is the pinnacle." |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 07-14-2009 12:55 PM
A link to a local news story about the check is on cnn.com today. That should drive up traffic to the auction site, and perhaps some actual bidders. |
mensax
Member Posts: 861
From: Virginia
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 07-15-2009 06:18 AM
I have to tip my hat at the outstanding job that RR has put out in acquiring publicity for this piece. News of this check has gone out over AP and now appears on over a thousand news sites on the web. R&R has even obtained local tv and radio news coverage. Check it out here... I cannot be more pleased with the service provided by the staff at RR than I am. Best of luck to any who are bidding on this item. I know that the winner of this auction will cherish owning this artifact from the Apollo 11 launch day as much as I did. Noah |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 07-15-2009 06:30 AM
Hey, there's a good question for someone who is fortunate enough to have tickets inside the theater for the Apollo 11 event at NASM on July 19th:"Mr. Armstrong, the check you wrote to Hal Collins on the morning of the Apollo 11 launch just sold at auction for over $17,000 (or whatever the final hammer price is...). Any comment?" |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 07-15-2009 01:50 PM
RR is doing an impressive job on the media front. Just heard it on NPR as well. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 07-15-2009 02:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by capoetc:
"Mr. Armstrong, the check you wrote to Hal Collins on the morning of the Apollo 11 launch just sold at auction for over $17,000 (or whatever the final hammer price is...). Any comment?"
If you asked that question to Armstrong, I suspect Neil's memory of writing that check would suddenly become very fuzzy and he might start to doubt whether or not he actually wrote such a check. It wouldn't be the first time... |
andrewcli
Member Posts: 328
From: La Jolla, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 07-15-2009 03:09 PM
A friend and I were discussing this topic this morning.Instead of asking what he thinks about the price for the check, how about asking him if he would ever consider doing a signing event for charity because of the high demand for his autograph? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-15-2009 03:21 PM
On the subject of "demand," I can see that there have been (to date) 28 bids placed for the check. Is there a way to see how many different people were responsible for those 28 bids? |
mensax
Member Posts: 861
From: Virginia
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 07-15-2009 04:16 PM
Robert, I can't speak for RR, nor do I know the answer to your question, but they have in the last hour posted on their Twitter page... 10,000 new visitors to rrauction.com yesterday. Record breaking registrations submitted. Checking references taking most of the day. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 07-15-2009 09:18 PM
How long does the ten minute rule last?I would think it would be 10 minutes, but the item I am bidding on has had no additional bids, and it has been over 18 minutes since the auction closed. Just curious... |
SpaceSteve
Member Posts: 428
From: San Antonio TX, USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 07-15-2009 09:43 PM
I believe RR's 10-minute rule means 10 minutes without any bids on any items. So if any lot gets a bid, all lots are extended 10 minutes from that bid.Edited to add that a couple of RR auctions ago, I was bidding, and the auction was still going at around 0200 central time. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 07-16-2009 05:48 AM
Well, someone bid on the auction I was bidding on (494), and then I placed a bid on July 4th. No other bids had been placed by 10 pm on July 15th, so the auction should have closed. I waited until 10 minutes after 10 in case someone else bid, but the auction still didn't close. I woke up this morning and had been outbid (one more bid), and the auction was still in progress so I'm sure it had been more than 10 minutes since THEIR bid occurred. Just wondering where the finish line is. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 07-16-2009 10:45 AM
Steve is right. The 10-minute rule extends the auction another 10 minutes anytime a bid is received on ANY lot. It does not apply to individual lots, but the auction as a whole. Often the auction ends sometime between 4am and 7am, but I've seen it go beyond that. If you want a lot badly enough, I recommend getting up periodically throughout the night and checking your status. Or just place a bid that is truly your maximum and let the chips fall where they may.The only people that may bid on lots after 10pm are those who have already placed bids on those lots. The exception is for lots with no bids. Those lots can receive bids from anyone while the 10 minute rule is in progress. By contrast, lots with only one bid by 10pm are considered sold to the single bidder at the start of the 10-minute rule and no more bids are allowed on those lots. The Armstrong check sold for $22,791, which adds to about $27,350 with buyer's premium. Congratulations to Noah for a very successful auction! Plus, it's kind of neat that the check is changing hands exactly 40 years after the morning where it first changed hands. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 07-16-2009 05:25 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
Steve is right. The 10-minute rule extends the auction another 10 minutes anytime a bid is received on ANY lot.
Thanks for the explanation. For some reason, I did not get it the first time, but I do now.I'm glad I didn't stay up... |
Jerry Brouillette
Member Posts: 147
From: Louviers, CO
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 07-28-2009 07:51 PM
Salvador Dali was deep in debt at the end of his career, with limited funds and a ingenious mind, he would write checks and include a small, original, drawing right on the check! These checks could have been for anything, rent, supplies, bar tab you name it. Many of these people had the right idea, they did not cash them. The things are worth quite a bit more than the original check today. No intention of comparison with Armstrongs checks, just a cool sideline! |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-29-2009 07:41 AM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
The Armstrong check sold for $22,791, which adds to about $27,350 with buyer's premium. Congratulations to Noah for a very successful auction!
Congratulations indeed. And a quick $7-9k commission for the auction house (buy and sell side)! |
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