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  Signing history and experience: Bob Crippen

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Author Topic:   Signing history and experience: Bob Crippen
Castel
Member

Posts: 16
From: Carmel, CA
Registered: Jun 2008

posted 07-01-2008 04:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Castel   Click Here to Email Castel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Can someone share Bob Crippen's signing habits? I was hoping he would complete an STS-1 cover as I already have John Young's signature on it.

capoetc
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Posts: 2270
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 07-01-2008 09:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for capoetc   Click Here to Email capoetc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Doing a crew completion might be risky. Are you willing to lose the John Young autograph if it doesn't come back?

I would send Crippen a letter asking if he would be willing to sign your cover, and send a self-addressed stamped post card for him to return his answer to you. If he says yes, then send your cover to him along with a return-posted envelope for him to mail it back.

RocketmanRob
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Posts: 286
From: New York City USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 07-04-2008 07:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RocketmanRob   Click Here to Email RocketmanRob     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I had a great experience getting at multi-signed shuttle photo signed by Bob Crippen. As was suggested, I wrote to him first to ask for permission (Self-addressed/stamped return form letter). Received a positive response and had my photo within a few weeks of writing.

Regardless of whether the item is valuable or not, I would suggest writing first and asking them if they are open to it.

vamanboatin
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Posts: 251
From: Vienna, VA
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 01-22-2012 06:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for vamanboatin   Click Here to Email vamanboatin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would like to send my "Morning Launch" by Kim Poor to Bob Crippen to sign.

I wanted opinions on where to ask Captain Crippen to sign it. I was thinking either under John Young or on the right side of the shuttle. Young signed with both STS-1 and STS-9.

Any opinions if I should ask Captain Crippen to sign with just STS-1 or all his flights?

Tykeanaut
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Posts: 2222
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 01-23-2012 04:02 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tykeanaut   Click Here to Email Tykeanaut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As John Young has put both his flights on I would ask Bob Crippen if he could do the same.

Fra Mauro
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Posts: 1739
From: Bethpage, N.Y.
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 01-23-2012 02:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fra Mauro   Click Here to Email Fra Mauro     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I sent him a postcard and a book to sign (picture highlighted) and he signed and returned it within a few weeks. However, make sure you send return postage.

dogcrew5369
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Posts: 760
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 01-23-2012 08:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dogcrew5369   Click Here to Email dogcrew5369     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's been a long time, but I sent him a SpaceShots card and he sent it back signed fairly quickly. Good luck. I too would be careful sending a John Young autograph through the mail.

garyd2831
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Posts: 641
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009

posted 01-23-2012 09:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for garyd2831   Click Here to Email garyd2831     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's a chance you will have to take. I spent the asking fee of $495 a couple years back during a Young signing at Novaspace on an STS-1 crew photo. I then sent it with a tracking number at least for one way to make sure it at least got there. A couple of weeks later, there it was in my mail. Take a chance, you only live life once.

capoetc
Member

Posts: 2270
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 01-24-2012 09:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for capoetc   Click Here to Email capoetc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would recommend not taking a chance.

For garyd2831: The following is not intended to sound critical of your approach -- I'm just adding my thoughts as a suggestion to perhaps allow the OP a slightly better chance at success.

Instead, write a nice letter to Mr. Crippen first explaining what you would be asking from him and explaining that you would include a self-addressed and stamped return package. Also explain that the item is for your personal collection and would never be sold, and offer that if he feels more comfortable personalizing his signature to you, then that would be ok. And include a stamped self-addressed postcard for him to return to you with his response.

He will likely say "yes", but that is the most polite way (in my opinion) to handle it, and it may make him feel like he has more choice in the matter rather than receiving a "sign here" request out of the blue for an item that will be immediately worth much more money with his signature.

Castel
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Posts: 16
From: Carmel, CA
Registered: Jun 2008

posted 01-24-2012 10:55 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Castel   Click Here to Email Castel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As the starter of this topic four years ago I would have to say that Capt. Crippen was incredibly gracious.

I sent him a polite letter (with a SASE) asking if he would sign my STS-1 cover which already had John Young's signature as well as the backup crew's (who would become the crew of STS-2). I asked if he would like a fee or donation made. He promptly replied that he would, with no fee, and asked that I include a SASE.

I didn't ask him to sign in a particular spot. He signed where it was obviously logical.

One of the best signing experiences I've had...

jvertrees
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Posts: 108
From: Crestwood, MO
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 09-06-2012 11:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for jvertrees   Click Here to Email jvertrees     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I just sent a SASE letter to Capt Crippen asking to sign a SMEAT beta cloth patch. It was returned saying he will and has no fee. I sent the patch with a NASA portrait Litho with SASE. Both were signed as requested and returned in a 4 business day round trip. The fasted ever and a very nice transaction.

mikelynaugh
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Posts: 25
From: Akron, OH, USA
Registered: Mar 2012

posted 09-22-2012 11:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mikelynaugh   Click Here to Email mikelynaugh     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I sent Captain Crippen a postcard asking if he would mind signing a copy of an old TIME magazine from February 1981 with a beautiful shot of Columbia on the cover.

I got the postcard back in a few days telling me it was okay to send the issue of TIME.

I sent it down to him, along with a letter. About a week or so later I got the magazine back with a very nice inscription on the cover, and a cool surprise inside. He must have enjoyed looking through the magazine because he went through and autographed above every photo of him in the story. It was so cool finding that, and that he would do that.

What a great experience!

astro-nut
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Posts: 1018
From: Washington, IL
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 09-29-2012 08:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for astro-nut   Click Here to Email astro-nut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
When I met Bob Crippen in 2009 he autographed a shuttle photo for me and was very cool about it. So in person I would say he is good.

englau
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Posts: 110
From: tampa, florida, usa
Registered: Mar 2012

posted 08-11-2013 08:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for englau   Click Here to Email englau     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have met him a few times in person and have gotten four items signed. If you ask him to do something specific (nicely!) he will likely do it — he's a really wonderful guy! Obviously, if you ask to sign a bunch of items like the person in front of me with eight, it is awkward (as with anyone, personally) and you will find out there is a limit.

As far as how he signed on mine...

  1. an active shuttle model set - signed with only name
  2. a personal photo of the two of us - "To Lauren, Bob Crippen"
  3. Columbia interior litho - name and missions
  4. Columbia flight litho- "To Lauren, Bob Crippen
Here is the photo album to see the inscriptions.

sprocketship
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Posts: 72
From:
Registered: Feb 2014

posted 08-17-2014 01:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for sprocketship     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Two weeks ago I mailed Cpt. Crippen a letter asking for a pair of signatures along with a postage paid postcard for him up reply. Last week I got a positive reply from him and I sent off a pair of photos a day later.

Hopefully these make it back soon.

By the way, I had never thought of this way of requesting signatures before. I like that it's a polite way of corresponding.

I am also sending short thank you notes as well. I don't want to be the guy that ruins this for other collectors.

Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member

Posts: 3456
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 08-17-2014 07:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Hart Sastrowardoyo   Click Here to Email Hart Sastrowardoyo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I used to send letters of inquiry (still do) for items I don't want to lose. That said, I sent a photo to Crippen on 18 Sept 2013 and received it back on the 27th, same month.

sprocketship
Member

Posts: 72
From:
Registered: Feb 2014

posted 09-02-2014 03:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for sprocketship     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Over the weekend, I received the pair of photos that I had sent to Captain Crippen. Both personalized and signed.

Very nice of him to do such a quick turn around on these!

opns93
Member

Posts: 41
From: Butler, NJ
Registered: Jun 2014

posted 10-29-2014 11:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for opns93     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I had a quick turnaround from him as well. 7 days from mailing to return.

JBoe
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Posts: 991
From: Edgewater, MD
Registered: Oct 2012

posted 07-14-2016 09:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for JBoe   Click Here to Email JBoe     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Has anyone been able to confirm if CAPT Crippen still signs through the mail. Thanks again!

alextompkins
Member

Posts: 17
From: Orlando, FL USA
Registered: Apr 2015

posted 07-14-2016 10:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for alextompkins   Click Here to Email alextompkins     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I sent him three photographs in March of 2015 that he kindly signed and returned. It was quick too. It only took 7 days.

scott56
Member

Posts: 62
From: QLD, Australia
Registered: Apr 2014

posted 11-12-2021 09:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for scott56   Click Here to Email scott56     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've got a couple photos I'd like Robert Crippen to sign. Does anyone have information on his recent signing history?

goose77
Member

Posts: 70
From: Marion, Iowa
Registered: Jul 2019

posted 11-16-2021 06:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for goose77   Click Here to Email goose77     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My experience is not terribly recent but is more recent than the last post on this thread so I thought I'd share it.

In December 2019 I sent Captain Crippen a Space Shuttle Astronaut GI Joe model and the base of a small space shuttle model, enclosed in a self addressed postage paid return box. I included a brief letter asking him to sign the box that the GI Joe was in and the base of the model.

Less than three weeks later I received the box back with both items signed and the GI Joe box's autograph personalized to boot. I was, needless to say, extremely pleased.

Messier97
New Member

Posts: 1
From: France/Switzerland
Registered: Feb 2020

posted 12-07-2021 03:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Messier97   Click Here to Email Messier97     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I can confirm all the good experiences here.

I wrote to him in April this year with a photo to sign. I joined a stamped envelope and in only three weeks I got my photo back and signed.

(I put regularly some items of my modest collection on Instagram.)

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