Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

  collectSPACE: Messages
  Auctions - Reviews & Results
  Astronaut Scholars November 2009 auction

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Astronaut Scholars November 2009 auction
Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 10-30-2009 08:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Astronaut Scholarship Foundation release
Space Auction Promises the Moon

Ever wanted to shoot the breeze with a legendary moonwalker? Own a genuine relic of space travel from an astronaut's personal collection? Don a real astronaut flight suit? Now's your chance! Starting today, you can bid on these and other cool space artifacts in the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's (ASF) 7th Annual Astronaut Experiences and Memorabilia Auction.

Like no auction around, this one offers unique lots like Diamond Seats at an Astros' Baseball Game with the last man to walk on the moon, Gene Cernan; dinner with Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell; an American flag that flew to the moon; and the first female Space Shuttle Pilot and Commander's NASA training shirt.

"Every last penny raised from this auction will go directly to support college students pursuing degrees in science and technology," said Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke. "There are only so many space artifacts out there, so this is a way for folks to obtain an authentic space item while helping a great organization!"

Duke is one of 70 astronauts from the Mercury to Space Shuttle programs, who have donated an artifact, signature or time to this cause. Twelve of the 50 auction lots are one-on-one experiences with hero astronauts, while the others boast autographed memorabilia, items flown into space and astronauts' personal relics.

All the lots are available for viewing now. The launch window for bidding closes November 7, 2009 at 10 p.m. EST. Winning bids, over fair market value, should be considered a charitable donation.

All auction proceeds go directly to support the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization established in 1984 by the six surviving members of America's original Mercury astronauts.

stsmithva
Member

Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 11-07-2009 06:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for stsmithva   Click Here to Email stsmithva     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just a quick mention that this auction ends tonight. They have already achieved high bids on most lots, which is great since every penny goes towards scholarships. Let's hear it for the astronauts who have donated their time, and items they could have sold for personal profit (not that there's anything wrong with that). Charlie Duke's dinner party alone might pay for a semester!

(At this point, the adventurous bidder 404- whoever he or she is - will be joining astronauts for scuba diving, flying a 70-year-old biplane, and skydiving!)

Machodoc
Member

Posts: 207
From: DE
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 11-09-2009 03:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Machodoc   Click Here to Email Machodoc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I bought lot #19, the Apollo 9 foil display. Another mission down as I'm hoping to get at least one flown item from every Apollo flight. Right now I have items from 7, 9, 13, and 14.

Two years ago I bought a Lovell inscribed flown beta cloth 13 patch, exactly like the one offered this week. I couldn't believe it went for $23,000! Dang! Mine cost around $6,500.

spaced out
Member

Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 11-10-2009 02:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for spaced out   Click Here to Email spaced out     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Machodoc:
Two years ago I bought a Lovell inscribed flown beta cloth 13 patch, exactly like the one offered this week. I couldn't believe it went for $23,000! Dang! Mine cost around $6,500.

Remember that these are really donations to the ASF rather than purchases. The point of charity auctions is that people generally give more (sometimes much more) than the going rate for the items that have been donated.

The fact that someone bid $23,000 on one of these beta cloths does not mean that's how much they're worth, it simply means someone made a very generous donation indeed to the ASF.

Machodoc
Member

Posts: 207
From: DE
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 11-10-2009 11:07 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Machodoc   Click Here to Email Machodoc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I understand, but that one was such an outlier. Hat's off to the bidders!

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a





advertisement