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  Signing history, experience: Thomas Stafford

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Author Topic:   Signing history, experience: Thomas Stafford
spkane
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Posts: 119
From: West New York, NJ, USA
Registered: Sep 2007

posted 05-06-2010 03:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for spkane   Click Here to Email spkane     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 05-06-2010 05:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mjanovec   Click Here to Email mjanovec     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 119
From: West New York, NJ, USA
Registered: Sep 2007

posted 05-07-2010 09:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for spkane   Click Here to Email spkane     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for the advice. I sent the general a message via the museum. Let's see what if anything comes back.

paul prendergast
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Posts: 429
From: crawley west sussex UK
Registered: Apr 2004

posted 05-10-2010 11:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for paul prendergast   Click Here to Email paul prendergast     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 614
From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 02-09-2011 07:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Daugherty54   Click Here to Email Daugherty54     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 2252
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 02-09-2011 09:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for capoetc   Click Here to Email capoetc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009

posted 02-09-2011 09:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for AJ   Click Here to Email AJ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think a moon globe always looks nice!

onesmallstep
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Posts: 1327
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 02-11-2011 05:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for onesmallstep   Click Here to Email onesmallstep     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 1760
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010

posted 02-11-2011 05:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for fredtrav   Click Here to Email fredtrav     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 614
From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 03-23-2011 07:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Daugherty54   Click Here to Email Daugherty54     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 33
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Mar 2011

posted 04-11-2011 07:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for spacekiddo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 95
From: Germany
Registered: Oct 2013

posted 08-23-2014 10:11 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lightyear69   Click Here to Email Lightyear69     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 57
From: Thornville, OH
Registered: Mar 2015

posted 11-18-2015 03:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceFerris   Click Here to Email SpaceFerris     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 1277
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012

posted 11-18-2015 10:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for David C     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Seems to only sign at ASF events now, so next year in Florida perhaps.

SpaceFerris
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Posts: 57
From: Thornville, OH
Registered: Mar 2015

posted 11-19-2015 12:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceFerris   Click Here to Email SpaceFerris     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 197
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2010

posted 04-21-2018 06:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for DG27   Click Here to Email DG27     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 04-27-2018 09:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for JasonB   Click Here to Email JasonB     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
He's attended the ASF show the past 4 or 5 years. He hasn't been at Spacefest since about 2011.

gareth89
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Posts: 369
From: Ireland
Registered: May 2014

posted 06-12-2021 02:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for gareth89   Click Here to Email gareth89     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 1067
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 06-12-2021 12:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SkyMan1958   Click Here to Email SkyMan1958     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 369
From: Ireland
Registered: May 2014

posted 06-12-2021 05:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for gareth89   Click Here to Email gareth89     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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

posted 06-12-2021 09:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for det105thuds   Click Here to Email det105thuds     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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

posted 06-13-2021 09:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for gareth89   Click Here to Email gareth89     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks very much for your help, I'll try contacting the Stafford Air and Space Museum.

dwager
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Posts: 86
From: Augusta, GA
Registered: Sep 2014

posted 07-09-2021 10:23 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for dwager   Click Here to Email dwager     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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

posted 07-09-2021 12:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for gareth89   Click Here to Email gareth89     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks so much, that’s great to know. General Stafford has signed more than his fair share of autographs in his time!

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