posted 10-15-2016 01:20 PM               

When I first started, it was pretty simple with regard to the autographs we talk about here: "Astronauts." Then I added Gene Kranz and Chris Kraft and redubbed it "NASA." Then Mike Melvill and Brian Binnie and redubbed it "Space." Still pretty simple.

The problem is that I'm eyeing expansion around test pilots and a handful of other military aviators (both current and former; not necessarily triple ace type guys). As of now, I have those in my catch-all Misc. category — but it's getting to the point where I think that a separate "Aviation" category.

As I'm sure most of you know by now, I'm quite particular about certain things, labeling being no exception.

My worry about two separate categories: "Space" and "Aviation" is that I won't know how to handle overlap (X-15 pilots could fit broadly into both categories, as an example). If I make it just one overarching "Space & Aviation" category, it'll be a catch-all, but I'd be concerned about it getting bloated.

Up until this point, I'd tried to avoid sub-categorizing, but it seems like that may best bet at this point? Just doing a "Space & Aviation" with sub-categories of "Test Pilots," "Astronauts," "Ground Support" and "Other"? But that still has the same problem with regard to the differences (or, more accurately, lack thereof) between the categories.

It just feels like my only options are to be overly specific, which leads to judgement calls or cross-categorizing (something I really want to avoid), or to be overly general, which leads to bloating.

posted 10-15-2016 02:07 PM               

Having collected autographs and other spaceflight memorabilia for some 40 plus years there were thankfully few gaps. Those I had were filled by reputable dealers ie. Florian Noller and Gerry Montague.