Author
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Topic: Signing history, experience: Thomas Stafford
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spkane Member Posts: 119 From: West New York, NJ, USA Registered: Sep 2007
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posted 05-06-2010 03:03 PM
I have an Apollo 10 recovery litho signed by John Young, Gene Cernan and the captain of the recovery ship. I'd like to add Thomas Stafford to complete the piece. Does anyone know if the general accommodates private signing requests? If so, what is the best way to reach him? If not, any thoughts on how I might otherwise go about the process? |
mjanovec Member Posts: 3811 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 05-06-2010 05:35 PM
Supposedly he has "retired" from signing autographs, but made an exception and did three organized signings last year (2009; a mail-in signing with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, an Autographica appearance, and the ASF Autograph show at Kennedy Space Center) all with a base fee of approximately $275 (and completion fees closer to $450). Those appearances were advertised to be his final signings.Perhaps, under the right circumstances, you could talk him into signing something (in exchange for a donation to his museum). But it may need to be a significant-enough donation to convince him to put ink to litho. If you're still interested, try writing to him via his museum. |
spkane Member Posts: 119 From: West New York, NJ, USA Registered: Sep 2007
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posted 05-07-2010 09:44 AM
Thanks for the advice. I sent the general a message via the museum. Let's see what if anything comes back. |
paul prendergast Member Posts: 429 From: crawley west sussex UK Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 05-10-2010 11:16 AM
I had the pleasure of meeting him when he came to the UK for the Autographica event last year. I also sat next to him at the gala dinner. He was great company and very chatty, also he signed my menu for me after the dinner. |
Daugherty54 Member Posts: 614 From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 02-09-2011 07:59 PM
I plan on attending this year's Spacefest (2011) and was wanting to get something personally signed by General Stafford. I have mostly signed photos now and already have a WSS photo signed. Any ideas on something unique? I thought about getting an Apollo Soyuz model signed by him, I can't afford any flown items but would like something that would make a great display piece. |
capoetc Member Posts: 2252 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 02-09-2011 09:26 PM
quote: Originally posted by Daugherty54: Any ideas on something unique?
How about an angry alligator? (For anyone who might not know, the reference is to his description of the appearance of the augmented target docking adaptor (ADTA) on Gemini-IX-A when they approached it during rendezvous). I'm actually kidding about the alligator, but it might be fun to bring along a rubber alligator like you might find in a Florida gift shop and see what he says when you suggest that he sign it. Then you could leave it with him so he could display it on his signing table. A command module might be a nice item, although he might charge extra for 3D items. |
AJ Member Posts: 511 From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 02-09-2011 09:39 PM
I think a moon globe always looks nice! |
onesmallstep Member Posts: 1327 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 02-11-2011 05:16 PM
Or how about a Snoopy astronaut? Hallmark issued an all-stuffed version in 2009, reminiscent of the plastic/cloth version produced in the 1960s (I have both, with the 1960s version bought at the time of its release). I also saw ornaments and a salt and pepper set of rockets with a Snoopy out in the market. Spaceflight Awareness/Safety posters featuring Snoopy would be a choice and rare find, especially after you add Stafford's or the other Apollo 10 crew's signatures. |
fredtrav Member Posts: 1760 From: Birmingham AL Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 02-11-2011 05:29 PM
There is a NASA photo of General Stafford holding and looking at a Snoopy stuffed animal dressed as the Red Baron I believe, issued in 1969. I have not seen one of these signed. Probably can find it in NASA archives. It was a black and white pic. |
Daugherty54 Member Posts: 614 From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 03-23-2011 07:04 PM
Well General Stafford's fees at Spacefest (2011) are now listed at $250 base fee, a pleasant surprise for me. I think I am going with the Gemini rendezvous photo. |
spacekiddo Member Posts: 33 From: The Netherlands Registered: Mar 2011
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posted 04-11-2011 07:58 AM
I had the opportunity to meet General Stafford on December 14, 1991, when he was visiting the Shreve, Crump & Low jewelry store in Boston, MA. He was doing that visit being the Chairman of the Board of Omega Watch Corporation.Of course I showed him some of my photo albums and scrapbooks on Apollo and he was more than happy to sign them and pose for some pictures. I remember he was very nice and interested in meeting somebody from the Netherlands and told me he was stationed in Holland for a few years when on active duty for the USAF. |
Lightyear69 Member Posts: 95 From: Germany Registered: Oct 2013
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posted 08-23-2014 10:11 AM
I'm going to Autographica 21, in Birmingham, UK, September 2014. I'll be getting updated autographs from Thomas Stafford. I'd like to get some good inscriptions (Gemini and Apollo) in addition to his signatures.Is there something cool or interesting or different that I can get Tom to add to the photo? (I know: "Houston, this is Apollo 10. You can tell the world we have arrived.") I don't recall any noteworthy quotes during their missions, but that's the kind of thing I'm looking for. I'd also like to see any other cool or interesting inscription you may have in your collection. Thanks for your input. |
SpaceFerris Member Posts: 57 From: Thornville, OH Registered: Mar 2015
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posted 11-18-2015 03:54 PM
I have a vintage NASA Apollo 10 crew litho signed by Gene Cernan and I would LOVE to add General Stafford. Is he reachable through the mail for a signing still? I see he does not sign with Astronaut Central, so I am in need of guidance to accomplish this task. |
David C Member Posts: 1277 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 11-18-2015 10:10 PM
Seems to only sign at ASF events now, so next year in Florida perhaps. |
SpaceFerris Member Posts: 57 From: Thornville, OH Registered: Mar 2015
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posted 11-19-2015 12:54 PM
Thanks. I can't blame him for becoming tired of signing requests. He certainly sounds like a pleasant fellow as his calm demeanor in photos seemed to imply. |
DG27 Member Posts: 197 From: USA Registered: Nov 2010
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posted 04-21-2018 06:34 PM
Does anyone know if Tom Stafford still signs autographs? I see he is not on the list of attendees for Spacefest this year (2018). Thanks. |
JasonB Member Posts: 1091 From: Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 04-27-2018 09:15 AM
He's attended the ASF show the past 4 or 5 years. He hasn't been at Spacefest since about 2011. |
gareth89 Member Posts: 369 From: Ireland Registered: May 2014
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posted 06-12-2021 02:22 AM
Has General Stafford done any commercial signings in recent years? Is there a way to have an item signed these days? I was lucky enough to meet him in Pontefract a few years ago (thanks Ken Willoughby!), it was probably the best lecture I’ve witnessed by an astronaut, his knowledge and matter of fact discussions were truly excellent! I would love to have an item signed, is there a way of making this happen in 2021? |
SkyMan1958 Member Posts: 1067 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 06-12-2021 12:31 PM
The last time that I know he signed was in April 2019. The Stafford Air and Space Museum was holding a 50th anniversary celebration of Apollo 10, and Stafford signed items that had been sent in. The cost was $300. |
gareth89 Member Posts: 369 From: Ireland Registered: May 2014
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posted 06-12-2021 05:16 PM
Hopefully he’ll attend the ASF Space Rendezvous later in the year, but if there’s a way to send him an item before then I'd happily pay the $300 fee. |
det105thuds New Member Posts: 1 From: Brighton, CO Registered: Nov 2019
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posted 06-12-2021 09:06 PM
I'd also suggest getting in touch with the Stafford Air & Space Museum directly; I've had good luck getting items signed though the Museum (as recently as September 2019). They could give you the latest on if they still accommodate signing requests and what the current fee is. |
gareth89 Member Posts: 369 From: Ireland Registered: May 2014
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posted 06-13-2021 09:16 AM
Thanks very much for your help, I'll try contacting the Stafford Air and Space Museum. |
dwager Member Posts: 86 From: Augusta, GA Registered: Sep 2014
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posted 07-09-2021 10:23 AM
Reached out to Teresa at the Stafford Air & Space Museum this week re: Gen. Stafford's availability to sign. Thought I'd pass it along. She said: I am so sorry but General Stafford has asked that we don't have him do anymore autographs. The last time he was here he decided he would rather not do signings it was pretty hard on him. Of course, we had a lot of items saved up from over time but he wasn't comfortable doing them. However, donations are always welcome. |
gareth89 Member Posts: 369 From: Ireland Registered: May 2014
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posted 07-09-2021 12:09 PM
Thanks so much, that’s great to know. General Stafford has signed more than his fair share of autographs in his time! |