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
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
How much was it last year? |
capoetc Member Posts: 2169 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
|
posted 01-08-2012 07:59 AM
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
Books were slightly less, $250 I think. |
Spacefest Member Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 01-19-2012 10:56 PM
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
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
Forms are ready. |
RockyMnWay Member Posts: 106 From: Westminster, CO, USA Registered: Jul 2011
|
posted 01-30-2012 02:05 PM
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Sent mine out today |
NovaRob Member Posts: 242 From: Tucson, Arizona, USA Registered: Nov 2008
|
posted 02-14-2012 12:34 PM
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
One week to drop-deadline. |
Daugherty54 Member Posts: 591 From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted 03-09-2012 04:57 PM
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. |