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Author
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Topic: Signing experience: Chuck Yeager
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dogcrew5369
Member Posts: 750
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 07-11-2012 08:48 AM
   
Just wondering if Yeager still signs through the mail? I have a photo with him from 2003 and was wondering if anyone knows if it would be a good idea to mail it to him SASE included? He signed through the mail in the '90s. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 07-11-2012 08:52 AM
Here is his official website. I do believe he still signs, but there is a fee and a ton of hoops to jump through. No matter the item. |
kosmo
Member Posts: 388
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 07-11-2012 02:12 PM
He signs, but it will be personalized and the "hoops to jump through" (his wife), still are worth it. |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 07-11-2012 04:06 PM
Have to say I really dig the signed Bell X-1 model for $5,000. Those things were like $199 to $249 at the Air Force Flight Test Center museum shop up until a few years ago. I guess you could call that inflation.  |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 07-11-2012 05:29 PM
I also noticed those $5000 models, Derek. Remove one of the zeros and it's still overpriced. |
DSeuss5490
Member Posts: 299
From: Columbus, Ohio USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 07-11-2012 09:30 PM
One sold last month at RR for $858 and last year for $960. Several others have sold recently in the $300-$500 range, but nothing even close to $5,000. I wonder if Yeager has sold any of those at that price? There seems to be such a steady supply of Yeager-signed X-1 and other models, it makes one wonder if Yeager himself is supplying them to the auction. |
dogcrew5369
Member Posts: 750
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 07-12-2012 09:18 AM
quote:
Originally posted by albatron:
Here is his official website.
Thanks Al. Wow things have changed since I last saw Yeager and mailed him. I don't mind a bit a personalization on a photo that includes me. I already have a number of items signed by him (most for free and in person) so I don't really need to pay a lot for an autograph I have many times over. I have a poster I obtained in '97 at a North Carolina airshow I frequent with Yeager and the 50th anniversary of the sound barrier breaking on it. Yeager and Anderson were there flying their P-51's. Man, I wish I had gotten him to sign that! Now I have to jump through hoops and plop down at least $100. Guess he saw what the astronauts were doing and decided to jump in. Can't blame him since many just want his auto to resell. I can't believe the price on that X-1 though! |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 07-12-2012 03:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
I also noticed those $5000 models, Derek. Remove one of the zeros and it's still overpriced.
Definitely... I picked up a gorgeous XF-92A model signed by Chuck a couple of years ago for $149 as I recall. I still kick myself though at not having him sign the X-1 model I'd purchased at the National Air and Space Museum... earlier in the day just prior to his talk.  |
Daugherty54
Member Posts: 591
From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 07-12-2012 06:46 PM
I've tried to get several items signed but had no luck. Evidently he will only sign certain models and certain pictures..... I just got tired of dealing with his reps at the website. I am mainly interested in space anyway. Good luck with that website. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 07-12-2012 08:11 PM
quote:
Originally posted by dogcrew5369:
Guess he saw what the astronauts were doing and decided to jump in. Can't blame him since many just want his auto to resell. I can't believe the price on that X-1 though!
Well actually he just got married again. Things changed exponentially after she came into the picture. Good luck, glad to help. |
dogcrew5369
Member Posts: 750
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 07-12-2012 11:28 PM
quote:
Originally posted by albatron:
Well actually he just got married again.
That's the spirit Chuck! 89 and remarried. Maybe he can get her name painted on the nose of a plane. Wonder how old she is? |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 07-13-2012 02:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by dogcrew5369:
Wonder how old she is?
About half his age. Normally I'd cheer too but, she's created this disconnect. With his friends as well. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-13-2012 04:44 PM
quote:
Originally posted by machbusterman:
Those things were like $199 to $249 at the Air Force Flight Test Center museum shop up until a few years ago.
And still available for $229 on the net if you look hard!
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mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 07-13-2012 05:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Daugherty54:
I just got tired of dealing with his reps at the website.
"His reps" = his wifeRead this thread if you want more history of issues that cS'ers have had dealing with her. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-13-2012 10:46 PM
I was just reading some of the comments and the other thread listed here. Not a good experience to be sure. I have an item I would like signed but will pass I think.If they are going to take money to have items signed they could have a better attitude about it. General Yeager's staff, whoever they may be could take notes from John Glenn's office. It may take awhile but you always get the items back and in pristine shape. And he signs for free. |
dogcrew5369
Member Posts: 750
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 07-15-2012 04:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by albatron:
Normally I'd cheer too but, she's created this disconnect. With his friends as well.
That's what I was afraid of. He used to be very accessible through mail and in person. Last time I met him was in '03 at the Thunder Over Michigan airshow and he was selling items fairly cheap with a signature. Of course, no female in sight; just his old wingman Clarence Bud Anderson. There are other things I could say about situations like this, but I won't out of respect for one of my all-time heroes. |
DChudwin
Member Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 09-18-2012 07:12 PM
I recently availed myself of Gen. Yeager's online store at chuckyeager.com to order a personalized autographed photo of him in front of a B-2 aircraft. The photo was autographed in a prescribed manner: "To: David, Good luck! Chuck Yeager." The cost was $75 including the photo, autograph and shipping and handling. While Yeager has raised his prices in recent years (as noted upthread), I don't think that the $75 for what I received was excessive compared to what astronauts are charging for autographs alone. The only downside to the transaction was that it took 9 weeks to receive the photo.
But I am quite satisfied overall. (Yeager also has a Facebook page. While there have been questions as to whether Chuck or his wife are answering, from the "attitude" displayed in some of the comments, I think it is the General himself). |
schnappsicle
Member Posts: 396
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 09-19-2012 08:16 AM
I ordered a photo from his web site a few years ago. I asked for no personalization and I got an email asking for a name to personalize or I would be getting a refund. I sent in the name of my daughter, since she will be inheriting the photo when I die, but I was very unhappy about how I was treated throughout the entire process. Yes, I could have said "No" and blown off the whole thing, but it's Yeager. I had to have him, even if it wasn't what I wanted. or how I wanted it.At the risk of sounding arrogant, I should be able to get what I want on a photograph when I'm paying for an autograph. I will never understand why he insists on personalizing every photo he signs. The least he could do is personalize it with something relevent to the photo or one of his many accomplishments. "Good Luck" just sounds bad and looks rather ridiculous on the photo. |
sprocketship
Member Posts: 72
From:
Registered: Feb 2014
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posted 06-06-2014 08:51 PM
I finally received my birthday present today (2 months later)! My family all chipped in and ordered an autograph from Chuck Yeager's website for me! Definitely a banner day as I also scored a signed Buzz Aldrin book and a couple of autographed Jerry Linenger books at the used bookstore for $10! I can't comment on experiences with dealing with Chuck Yeager or his people. But, I do appreciate his willingness to continue to provide his signature to the public (even if it is do pricey!) There will only ever be one first man to break the sound barrier and I can't wait to buy a great picture frame to put this photo in!
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sprocketship
Member Posts: 72
From:
Registered: Feb 2014
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posted 06-14-2014 01:37 PM
After receiving my birthday present from chuckyeager.com, I went to the website and sent General Yeager a quick thank you email. To my surprise, he replied, wishing me well and glad to hear that I was enjoying my present.General Yeager is definitely a class act! |
Mike_The_First
Member Posts: 436
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2014
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posted 01-07-2018 01:42 PM
Just checked — the signed 8x10s on Yeager's site are now up to $400, with mass-market copies of "Yeager" (both hardcover and paperback) for $450.He still requires first name personalizations and will still only write "Good luck!" At this point, I have to assume that he's actively trying to dissuade people from ordering. |
OV-105
Member Posts: 816
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 01-07-2018 06:16 PM
Guess I got a heck of deal back when "Yeager" came out. Sent it and an anniversary cover with return postage paid envelope. Same for "Press On." Times have changed, we all know what the autograph market has become, even if you don't want to sell them. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 01-07-2018 07:41 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Mike_The_First:
At this point, I have to assume that he's actively trying to dissuade people from ordering.
For what its worth, I suspect his wife has more to do with it than he does. The issue of his wife Victoria and her effect on the Yeager family has been covered elsewhere, so no need to re-hash it here — suffice it to say that it is highly unlikely that Yeager is involved whatsoever in setting prices on his website. |
Mike_The_First
Member Posts: 436
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2014
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posted 01-07-2018 08:39 PM
True, but at this point, I doubt even she is expecting people to pay. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 02-02-2018 01:56 PM
There are people still willing to pay. Even if it's only a fourth of the number who were willing to pay $100, they still make roughly the same amount of money (and with much less effort). It's also the same philosophy that many of the astronauts have adopted.Glad I got mine when they were only $25. |
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