Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

  collectSPACE: Messages
  Autograph Shows & Signings
  Astronaut Central's 2012 Michael Collins signing

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

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Astronaut Central's 2012 Michael Collins signing
Spacefest
Member

Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 01-03-2012 07:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacefest   Click Here to Email Spacefest     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Astronaut Central will host Michael Collins for a signing in mid-March. Details soon.

Nigel Mc
Member

Posts: 182
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 01-08-2012 06:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nigel Mc   Click Here to Email Nigel Mc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
How much was it last year?

capoetc
Member

Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 01-08-2012 07:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for capoetc   Click Here to Email capoetc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
According to the Astronaut Central website, base fee was $295 in 2011.

Daugherty54
Member

Posts: 591
From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 01-15-2012 12:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Daugherty54   Click Here to Email Daugherty54     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Books were slightly less, $250 I think.

Spacefest
Member

Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 01-19-2012 10:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacefest   Click Here to Email Spacefest     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Mike Collins is coming in early March, and he will sign covers this time!!

Prices have gone up, but only about 10%. It's the first price increase for him since he started signing for us in 2004. Forms ready soon.

Spacefest
Member

Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 01-20-2012 06:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacefest   Click Here to Email Spacefest     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
We're also giving a discount for earlybirds. It's a burden when we get everything the last few days before the deadline.

Spacefest
Member

Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 01-24-2012 04:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacefest   Click Here to Email Spacefest     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Forms are ready.

RockyMnWay
Member

Posts: 106
From: Westminster, CO, USA
Registered: Jul 2011

posted 01-30-2012 02:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RockyMnWay   Click Here to Email RockyMnWay     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am fairly new to collecting, but I have a first edition/printing of "Carrying The Fire" as well as "First on the Moon".

With the Novaspace signing rapidly approaching I was trying to decide which book to send in for Gen. Collins to sign. I decided on "Carrying the Fire". But for the price, I want to make sure I get it signed the way I want because I don't know how many opportunities I'll have again. The book is in decent shape and I only have one. I was thinking of having him add a mission or two in addition.

What ink should I request for him to sign and what page should I have him sign on?

If you could have him sign or have had him sign your copy of "Carrying the Fire", what would/did you have him sign?

Going back through the archives I have seen some people have him sign in silver Sharpie and others in Pilot-brand V-Ball roller pen. Or should I just have him sign in blue sharpie?

Decisions.... Any help would be much appreciated. I look forward to your replies. Thanks.

JasonB
Member

Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-30-2012 07:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for JasonB   Click Here to Email JasonB     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just an idea, but I would have him sign the front dust jacket. That way you can easily display it, and you'll have a signed book that is far more unique and nicer in my opinion, than all the others. I know the softcover of "Carrying the Fire" has a pic of Collins on it. That would be a good one to have signed on the front, but whatever book you like the best is probably what you should get signed.

If your getting a book signed by Collins its a money losing proposition (you can get his books already signed cheaper than what he charges), so if your going to pay the fee you might as well find a way to make your book unique, interesting and thus more valuable. I don't know why more people don't do it. The ratio of any book signed on the inside to ones signed on the dust jacket is probably 1000 to 1. I personally like seeing the dust jacket signed a lot more than having to open the book.

Daugherty54
Member

Posts: 591
From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 01-30-2012 11:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Daugherty54   Click Here to Email Daugherty54     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't recall seeing a hardcover first edition of Carrying the Fire for anywhere near $295...I am having mine signed on the inside title page. Pretty traditional I know, but I have an 8x10 of him already and I collect signed first editions so its an obvious choice for me.

gliderpilotuk
Member

Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 01-31-2012 06:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for gliderpilotuk   Click Here to Email gliderpilotuk     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by RockyMnWay:
What ink should I request for him to sign and what page should I have him sign on?
Blue/silver Sharpie? Absolutely not! Sharpie ink will seep through the page – especially if it is more than a fine point.

For me, books should always be signed in ball-point pen (non-seeping; more durable). Roller-pen might work but test it first.

spacemania
New Member

Posts:
From:
Registered:

posted 01-31-2012 12:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for spacemania   Click Here to Email spacemania     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am a new member here and enjoy collecting signed moonwalker books.

For me personally I like the autograph inside the book as apposed to the sleeve, main reasons being inside its protected from light and possible wear.

JasonB
Member

Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-31-2012 12:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for JasonB   Click Here to Email JasonB     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I prefer the dust jacket for display purposes, but to each his own. The important thing is to get what you like.

I just mailed off my two items today to get signed and get pictures taken with Collins. I cannot wait to see Michael Collins posing (by posing I mean glumly holding them up) with my items!

ilbasso
Member

Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 01-31-2012 04:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ilbasso   Click Here to Email ilbasso     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Is a "second printing" from 1974 worth getting signed?

Robert Pearlman
Editor

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

posted 01-31-2012 05:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Would owning a signed second printing bring you joy or would you always regret not seeking out a first printing?

Spacefest
Member

Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 01-31-2012 07:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacefest   Click Here to Email Spacefest     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by JasonB:
I cannot wait to see Michael Collins posing (by posing I mean glumly holding them up) with my items!

Boy, "glumly" is right. Mike keeps us in stitches with his wisecracking, but try to get him to smile for a COA...

mjanovec
Member

Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 02-01-2012 03:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mjanovec   Click Here to Email mjanovec     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
In contrast, I think every photo COA I've seen for McDivitt came with a nice smile. Even Borman and Young smiled the last time I got photo COAs for them, which surprised me.

Daugherty54
Member

Posts: 591
From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 02-02-2012 12:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Daugherty54   Click Here to Email Daugherty54     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
He might look glum but in person, but at Spacefest 2009, he was incredibly gracious and kind. One of the best highlights ever was meeting him in San Diego. His wife went far far above and beyond to make you feel welcome. My respect and admiration increased after meeting him that day.

paulus humungus
Member

Posts: 400
From: Burton, Derbyshire, England
Registered: Oct 2005

posted 02-02-2012 02:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for paulus humungus   Click Here to Email paulus humungus     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Gene Cernan never smiles on photos either.

DChudwin
Member

Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 02-02-2012 07:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for DChudwin   Click Here to Email DChudwin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Decisions, decisions...

This is the first time Mike Collins has has agreed to sign postal covers since the 1970's.

I have a C76 10c Moonlanding stamp First Day cover with the autographs of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin that I obtained at auction several years ago. Should I complete the crew with Collins' autograph at $725 ($325 base fee plus $400 Apollo 11 completion fee)? What would your vote be?

SpaceSteve
Member

Posts: 428
From: San Antonio TX, USA
Registered: Apr 2004

posted 02-02-2012 08:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceSteve   Click Here to Email SpaceSteve     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by DChudwin:
Should I complete the crew with Collins' autograph at $725?
I wholeheartedly, most definitely say YES!!!

NovaRob
Member

Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008

posted 02-03-2012 02:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NovaRob   Click Here to Email NovaRob     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by RockyMnWay:
What ink should I request for him to sign...
Here are some pen comments for books, based on Novaspace/Astronaut Central experiences.

Colored Sharpies (black, etc.) will bleed through uncoated papers (like "Carrying the Fire"), but not slick, coated papers such as coffee-table books. We haven't seen metallic paint pens (silver, gold) bleed through paper, although the solvent might show a trace on the back side.

Pilot V-Ball pens are water-based, instead of solvent-based like Sharpies, so they usually don't bleed through, although they sometimes bleed through a tiny bit on cheaper, thinner papers like paperback books. The V-Ball has a very dark, smooth line, and requires less writing pressure by the signer.

Ballpoint won't bleed at all, and is very durable, but is not very smooth and sometimes requires more writing pressure.

Archivists will probably recommend pencil as most durable for life, but it can be erased and maybe smudged.

RockyMnWay
Member

Posts: 106
From: Westminster, CO, USA
Registered: Jul 2011

posted 02-03-2012 09:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RockyMnWay   Click Here to Email RockyMnWay     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you Rob and all for your advice. I will definately be sending in my first print/edition of "Carrying the Fire" to be signed by Gen. Collins with a Pilot V-Ball pen. I appreciate Kim and all at Novaspace for bringing Gen. Collins in to do this signing. My only regret is that I can't be there in person to convey my appreciation and meet the man himself.

Fexturbjet
Member

Posts: 16
From: Trinity, FL, USA
Registered: Feb 2012

posted 02-07-2012 12:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fexturbjet   Click Here to Email Fexturbjet     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I should ask the folks there at Novaspace/Astronaut Central directly, but, what if you have a picture with either of the other Apollo 11 autographs, Neil or Buzz? Is that considered a completion price?

paulus humungus
Member

Posts: 400
From: Burton, Derbyshire, England
Registered: Oct 2005

posted 02-07-2012 02:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for paulus humungus   Click Here to Email paulus humungus     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It will only be a completion if you are adding Collins to the signatures of both Armstrong and Aldrin, which already exist together on the same item. If only one of either exists previously then it is not a completion.

If Armstrong and Aldrin exist on your item along with many other astronaut signatures then I would ask Astronaut Central directly to be safe.

spaceman1953
Member

Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 02-11-2012 11:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for spaceman1953   Click Here to Email spaceman1953     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would also get a "professional" (regarding ink and pens) signing from Kim/Astronaut Central people. I keep ball point pens as far away from paper items as I can, just like paper clips and rubber bands. I am really becoming a roller-ball pen fan, gel ink, but have no idea on their archival-ness since this is a new product. Good luck!

gliderpilotuk
Member

Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 02-12-2012 04:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for gliderpilotuk   Click Here to Email gliderpilotuk     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Never had a problem with ballpoints if you use a quality pen and ink - Parker, Montblanc etc. Unlike gel pens, ballpoint is more subtle colour wise - the last thing you want on a vintage book is a bright back, or worse, bright blue signature! Gel pens are not infallible: "wetter" ink can lead to smudging or skipping .

gliderpilotuk
Member

Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 02-12-2012 04:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for gliderpilotuk   Click Here to Email gliderpilotuk     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Never had a problem with ballpoints if you use a quality pen and ink - Parker, Montblanc etc. Unlike gel pens, ballpoint is more subtle colour wise - the last thing you want on a vintage book is a "bright" black, or worse, bright blue signature! Gel pens are not infallible: "wetter" ink can lead to smudging or skipping .

Spacefest
Member

Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 02-13-2012 11:52 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacefest   Click Here to Email Spacefest     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Six more shipping days left until the discount deadline (Feb 20).

garyd2831
Member

Posts: 640
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009

posted 02-13-2012 06:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for garyd2831   Click Here to Email garyd2831     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sent mine out today

NovaRob
Member

Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008

posted 02-14-2012 12:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NovaRob   Click Here to Email NovaRob     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
To clarify some pen comments, the Pilot V-Ball I referred to earlier is a water-based ink, not a gel-ink. We have used that pen in books for about 7 years, without problems or complaints, but I don't know how it will react in 100 years or more. We find that they don't skip, fleck, or speckle, whereas sometimes ballpoints do. They can smear when still wet, but dry in just a few seconds, much faster than a fountain pen.

There is nothing wrong with ballpoint, either, but there are differences from the V-Ball. Ballpoints are not as dark as V-Ball, but that is a matter of personal preference on appearance. We have found that ballpoint can also smear when fresh, especially when it blobs at the beginning or end of a word. I tested a Montblanc, and found that it had about the same flecking, speckling, and skips that I see with Bics, and occasional blobbing. For ballpoint on paper, we now usually use Fisher SpacePen "Bold" cartridges, because they are the only ballpoint we've found with a wider line than standard "medium" ballpoints, and that seems to be preferred by our customers. They also don't blob as much.

As always, if you want a very specific pen or ink used for signing, please send it with your order. Otherwise, we use what we think will satisfy the majority of our customers.

Spacefest
Member

Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 02-23-2012 11:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacefest   Click Here to Email Spacefest     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
One week to drop-deadline.

Daugherty54
Member

Posts: 591
From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 03-09-2012 04:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Daugherty54   Click Here to Email Daugherty54     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just got an email my first edition carrying the Fire has been shipped from Collins signing! Really looking forward to this!

And it arrived yesterday looking great and packaged where it could have withstood being ran over by a train! Kudos to Kim and co.

MikeSpace
unregistered
posted 03-16-2012 03:30 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Items received back from the Gen. Collins signing in the usual heavy duty packaging.

And as usual, excellent service from the team! Thanks!

DChudwin
Member

Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 04-13-2012 08:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for DChudwin   Click Here to Email DChudwin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Received back today my Apollo 11 FDC completion previously signed by Armstrong and Aldrin and my Gemini 10 KSC launch cover with NASA cachet. They were very nicely signed by Mike Collins exactly as I requested.

The delay was due to the photo CD, but it was well worth the wait. I ordered a photo CD just of the Apollo 11 completion cover. The disc received today contained 6 shots of Collins either signing or holding up the first day cover — the ultimate in documentation. I also received a color COA showing three of the images. A bonus on the CD was pictures of Collins signing other neat items and a few of him with the Novaspace staff.

As usual, there was the ultimate in packing to protect the items, sent by insured Priority Mail.

Thanks to General Collins for agreeing to autograph covers for this signing, and to Kim, Sally, Rob and the rest of the Novaspace crew for their great customer service.

RockyMnWay
Member

Posts: 106
From: Westminster, CO, USA
Registered: Jul 2011

posted 04-13-2012 10:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RockyMnWay   Click Here to Email RockyMnWay     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I second that! Thank you to General Collins and the NovaSpace staff. This is my first time sending in an item to have signed. I received my signed, first printing of Carrying the Fire and couldn't be happier. Excellent packaging, photo COA and additional pictures of the event. Well worth it for me.

JasonB
Member

Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 04-16-2012 03:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for JasonB   Click Here to Email JasonB     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I got my items today and I must say that they and the photos are fantastic. Theres like 20 pictures of Michael Collins signing, posing, wearing and "hamming it up" with my items.

Not only did Novaspace do a great job on the items, pictures and COAs, but they packaged them up in a way that they would have survived an Apocalypse, sent me a refund check because my math was bad, and even returned my pens I asked them to use!

This was my first signing to participate in and it certainly wont be my last. Thanks for the great service Novaspace.

NovaRob
Member

Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008

posted 04-16-2012 06:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NovaRob   Click Here to Email NovaRob     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks to all for the compliments. We aim to please. I apologize for the long delay on the Photo COAs.

JasonB
Member

Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 04-16-2012 10:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for JasonB   Click Here to Email JasonB     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I honestly would have paid as much for the photos you guys took of Collins with my items, as I did for the autographs. They are that good.

Collins struck me in his books as someone who's generally a good sport with a sense of humor, but all of you went way above and beyond with the pics you took.

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