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Author
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Topic: Resources for astronaut crew autograph values
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spkjb
Member Posts: 144
From: Merritt Island, Florida USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 05-25-2011 12:06 PM
   
Are there resources for value and or comparisons of "crew-signed" autographs? I realize there are all sorts of factors (type of item, condition, inscribed or not, size, photo or artwork, etc.); so maybe a range of prices?
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mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 05-25-2011 12:41 PM
There are no firm values published for crew-signed autographs. As you note, value will vary quite a bit by what is signed, how it's signed, condition, size, etc. And often, the price obtained depends on what two collectors who want the piece are willing to bid for it at that moment (assuming the item is up for auction).For the sake of guesswork, let's throw out some general prices for the early crews. These values assume the following standard: signed 8x10 crew portrait lithograph, excellent condition, bold signatures, unpersonalized. - Gemini III: $4000-$7000+ (if you can find one)
- Gemini IV: $1000-$2000
- Gemini V: $200-$400
- Gemini VI: $200-$400
- Gemini VII: $300-$500
- Gemini VIII: $3000-$6000+ (another tough one to find)
- Gemini IX: $200-$400
- Gemini X: $700-$1200
- Gemini XI: $150-$300
- Gemini XII: $350-$500
- Apollo 1: $7500-$10000+
- Apollo 7: $800-$1200
- Apollo 8: $600-$1000
- Apollo 9: $300-$500
- Apollo 10: $600-$900
- Apollo 11: $5000-$10000+ (can vary wildly)
- Apollo 12: $200-$400
- Apollo 13: $800-$1200 (with Swigert)
- Apollo 14: $700-$1000+
- Apollo 15: $500-$800
- Apollo 16: $600-$1000
- Apollo 17: $400-$700
These are numbers off the top of my head... and I might re-think some of them if I researched more recent auction results. Other collectors will likely have differing opinions. You may find some signed lithos for less. And some may go for more (sometimes a lot more). But these are ballpark numbers for the sake of comparison.And, of course, if you find a signed item that is not a crew portrait lithograph (such as a signed cover), these numbers may not (and likely will not) be valid. Crew signed photos for the shuttle era will vary wildly, often depending on the popularity of the mission and the makeup of the crew (i.e. how many tough signers flew on the mission). Less popular missions with relatively cooperative signers will sell for $50-$200. More popular missions, or missions with some tough signers, will sell for $200-$500+. The two accident flights (51L and 107) often sell for $4000-$7000. Many of the earlier shuttle missions are easier to find, since crews tended to be better about signing, though there are several notable exceptions (STS-9). More recent crews can often be harder to obtain (as they may contain multiple tough signers). |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 05-25-2011 12:44 PM
As recognized, there's not a straightforward answer to the question. Ultimately, the simplest way to determine value for a signed item is to check eBay and the auction houses (see the Auctions section) to see what similar items have recently sold for. But that's just a guide. Regular cS members were recently stunned when one autographed item sold at auction for several thousand dollars more than most of us thought it was worth.A recent thread on cS discussed the difficulty of establishing a realistic range of values for autographs. The astronauts publish their signing fees (for example, you can see what some astronauts are charging to sign at Spacefest). However, if you compare what astronauts are charging to sign items with what those same autographs would sell for on eBay, you'll find that collectors looking for a quick turnaround rarely recoup their money, unless the signed item is very unusual or has some special significance. |
spkjb
Member Posts: 144
From: Merritt Island, Florida USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 05-25-2011 01:11 PM
WOW! Thanks for both QUICK detailed and helpful responses! |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 05-25-2011 06:39 PM
Also, many people get fooled by autopen signed crew lithos. Many people have had these since the 60's-70's and always thought they were genuine.In other words, for comparison, an autopen signed Apollo 11 litho would likely sell for $25-100 (should be on the low end of that), but I have seen them sell for $1000+ on eBay to unsuspecting collectors. |
Bob M
Member Posts: 1744
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 05-26-2011 02:00 PM
Very good and helpful value estimations, Mark. The only one I'd question is for Apollo 13, because of Apollo 13's popularity and scarcity of crew lithos signed the actual flown crew. For those reasons, and also remembering some sales of Apollo 13's, I'd say more like $3,000 to $4,000 for an Apollo 13 is more accurate in my opinion. And when John Young started signing at Novaspace several years ago, he helped devalue Apollo 10's, and Apollo 16's, along with Gemini 10's, as these three used to be among the hardest to find and most expensive of Apollo and Gemini crew signed lithos. It would be very interesting to see what a complete set of Apollo crew signed lithos (Apollo 7 thru Apollo 17) would go for in a big auction. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 05-26-2011 05:54 PM
Good points, Bob. Apollo 13 might actually be worth more than my initial "guesstimate." I found a vintage crew-signed photo a few years back for about $600, but I may have simply been really lucky! |
spkjb
Member Posts: 144
From: Merritt Island, Florida USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 09-13-2011 11:54 AM
Are there similar resources for Russian cosmonauts (especially from the early era)? |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2912
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 08-20-2016 07:05 AM
Just came across this old posting topic and I think Mark did an excellent job on the overall estimated price values here, even now five years later since the topic first appeared.But with Apollo 13, yes, I would agree with Bob for a high value with Swigert added and not Mattingly, but I would up-rate the Apollo 8 crew. Finding better authentic Apollo 8 crew signed lithos or glossies, not inscribed, and with a vintage Anders signature, are almost near-impossible to locate these days from my experiences. How often do we see an original NASA crew 8x10 litho signed by all three and with a vintage Anders? Very rarely I would say. Value-wise, and it's hard to pin-point, but maybe between $1K-2K or more. Thoughts anyone? | |
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