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Author
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Topic: Holy grails of space books?
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Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 07-17-2007 03:06 PM
   
What are the Holy Grail books in space collecting? AbeBooks: Out of This World: Collecting Space Exploration |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 07-17-2007 05:01 PM
For me it was a full set of all four NASA Apollo Chronologies in paperback, which I achieved with the help of Dave Farmer (thanks Dave). Then I found out they were also issued in hardback but in limited numbers, so I set out to try to get a set, after about four years I finally had a full set of hardback editions. Then my mission was to get each one signed by an Apollo astronaut, which I have finally achieved by getting the signatures of Aldrin, Gordon, Schweikhart and Duke in one volume each. Now that is complete my mission is to get a hardback copy of NASA SP-4214 "Where No Man Has Gone Before", finances permitting! |
freshspot
unregistered
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posted 07-17-2007 05:06 PM
I collect space books. A big issue with the "holy grail" status is signed vs. not signed. Any book with all 12 moonwalkers would instantly become a "holy grail".I have several favortites in my collection -- 1) a copy of "First on the Moon" signed by the complete Apollo 11 crew and 2) a copy of "The Astronauts" signed by all seven Mercury astronauts. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 07-17-2007 05:13 PM
This probably falls more under the autograph category than the book category, but Tahir's signed We Seven is the most impressive signed book I've ever seen. More impressive books might be out there (and likely are), I just haven't seen them. |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 07-17-2007 06:03 PM
10:56:20THAT is the Holy Grail in my book, signed or not! |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-18-2007 03:30 AM
Do you mean a personal Holy Grail or a book that is so hard to find that it is a Holy Grail in its own right?In the latter category you'd have to put The Long Lonely Leap by Joe Kittinger - almost impossible to find. (I have one  ). One of my favourites is "Footprints - the 12 men who walked on the Moon", but mine is only signed by 10 and sadly will never have Jim Irwin. The biggest book I missed was at Aurora a few years ago and was a book signed and inscribed by Korolev to Gagarin. |
Matt T
Member Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
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posted 07-18-2007 03:44 AM
I picked up a copy of 'Gemini - America's Walk in Space', a UPI book rushed out straight after Gemini IV. Signed un-inscribed on the crew photo page by White and McDivitt. That I picked it up for about $30 was a happy bonus  I'd be interested to know quite how unusual a Gemini IV signed book is - any other collectors have anything similar? |
freshspot
unregistered
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posted 07-18-2007 03:46 AM
Alexei Leonov - Voskhod 2 (World's first EVA "Space walk") and ASTP cosmonaut - produced Earth and Space Painting in 2004. It is a huge book (12" by 24" or so) with awesome plates of his paintings plus photos from his career and family life. It is written in both English and Russian. It is a very short print run limited edition of a few hundred books produced by the investment bank he works with - Baring Vostok Capital Partners.I purchased a copy from him in San Antonio and he said the copies are mostly in the hands of government people, astronaut friends, and his bank's customers. All but a handful of copies are in Russia. The book was never sold in stores. |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 07-18-2007 04:06 AM
"The Long Lonely Leap" is certainly one of the Grails.Another Holy Grail is the huge book presented to executives and VIPs during Dr. von Braun's 50th birthday party on March 23, 1962 at George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. The large 853 glossy pages volume was edited by Ernst Stulinger and Fredrick Ordway and was entitled: From Peenemunde to Outer Space - Commemorating the Fiftieth Birthday of Wernher von Braun. As with all those rare books: Where are these (private collections I guess)? |
bruce
Member Posts: 916
From: Fort Mill, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 07-18-2007 07:55 AM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
Tahir's signed We Seven is the most impressive signed book I've ever seen.
I actually salivated into my tea this morning when I saw this. |
randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 07-18-2007 09:11 AM
My 'Holy Grail' is my near mint condition tooled mission leather bound copy of von Brauns 'History of Rocketry and Space Travel'. |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 07-18-2007 02:22 PM
My own NASA books are on my mini site here (the copy of Moonport is now signed by Fred Haise) and my other books in my collection are listed here but the list is a bit out of date. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3118
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-18-2007 05:30 PM
My "Holy Grails" of space books can be divided into 2 categories.FIRST, my collection of all 6 Apollo lunar landing Preliminary Science Reports. These do come up for sale occasionally, but individual volumes are almost always in three figures, with some going for $300-$400. In my experience the rarest (or at least the hardest to find) is the Apollo 12 PSR.(In 2004 a copy sold on e-Bay for $305). Apollo 11 seems less rare, but a good example will fetch over $250. A less-than-perfect copy went for $285 on e-Bay four months ago. (If anyone needs the Apollo 12 PSR I have a spare copy which I would sell at a realistic price or exchange. It has defects, but is OK. E-mail me off-site). The complete set nicely represents the triumph of Apollo, and the volumes contain a good mix of hard science and more publically-digestible science, with numerous photographs. TWO: On a more personal level, my copy of "Apollo Expeditions to the Moon" has been handled and signed, in my presence, by twelve Apollo astronauts, including at least one member of every Apollo crew and six Moonwalkers. The book has crossed the Atlantic five times (four times in my hand-luggage). If I can also get Dave Scott to sign it (no, I'm not able to go to Phoenix in August) all six landing crews would be represented. This book is my personal memento of the amazing experience of following the Apollo missions, live, as they unfolded when I was a teenager. I hope it outlives me and becomes part of my estate - and I hope it will mean something to its next owner. But not for at least 30 years! |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 07-18-2007 10:41 PM
Here are a couple of hard to find titles, in fine condition. Most are ex-library copies. - Gemini - Virgil Grissom
- Apollo: The Race to the Moon - Murray & Cox
And the rare: - The Long Lonely Leap - Joe Kittinger
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Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 07-18-2007 10:41 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Gilbert:
The Long Lonely Leap - Joe Kittinger
Very well put... I saw Joe sign that one about 5 years ago at a stop he had in Palm Springs. I have never seen one before or since.I would like to add Carpenter's "Deep Space." There is another book, which I do have, and would like to add to the list. I am about 8,000 miles away from my book case right now, but I think it is was NASA SP-60. That is a soft cover book about the X-15. I finally picked it up at Aurora not too many auctions ago. |
freshspot
unregistered
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posted 07-19-2007 05:12 AM
One more thing I really treasure. My copy of "Both Sides of the Moon" which is signed "to Dave Scott from Dave Scott". |
AlanLawrie
Member Posts: 95
From: hitchin, herts, UK
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 07-19-2007 06:37 AM
Mine would be a 1971 edition of the Saturn Illustrated Chronology signed by the author David Akens who was the historian at Marshall in the 1960s. Also a copy of the 1970 Boeing Apollo/Saturn V Roll of Honor. This is a massive book that was limited to about 1,800 copies and is packed with photos and technical descriptions as well as a listing of the Boeing personnel that worked on the Saturn V. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 07-19-2007 11:01 AM
While certainly not of "Holy Grail" status, these are 3 of my favorites:In keeping with the Kittinger theme, this is signed by 4 of the premier names from Holloman. Cost of the book w/Stapp was $20, the rest cost me postage. This is my We Seven - 4 in the book, 2 added (hinged). Does not compare to Tahir's but has been fun and my cost was book cost (not much) and the Shepard bookplate I got for $20. And another fun one, started out as a Kranz signed book, a friend added the other flight directors at the booksigning, and I've added the rest as I've plodded along. The total cost? Cover cost of the book and shipping to me. This is my "fun" project. |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 07-19-2007 02:03 PM
Good posts and great to hear what cSers are after. A bit surprised nobody mentioned the NASA hardcover entitled: Results of the First US Manned Suborbital Space Flight, May 5, 1961. A rare book on Shepard's Mercury mission... On a personal note, the JPL Technical reports are also hard-to-find, some years ago I've tried to make a listing with those I have. Adam (nasamad) I will e-mail you some cover photos so you can start a special page. Meanwhile, as a Mars-mad enthusiast I have many covers on my weblog. I might start a weblog with covers on early spaceflight (ManHigh, Excelsior, etc.). |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 07-19-2007 02:48 PM
Ok, I recieved your scan Philip and have taken the liberty of using your description of the book.The first page of the site is up and running. All contributions are welcome, lets build up a virtual bookcase that won't be damaged when we salivate all over it! |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 07-20-2007 07:57 AM
It's not something I have or will make a habit of doing, but I may be able to help someone achieve their Holy Grail. I have a copy of Kittinger's "The Long, Lonely Leap" here in excellent condition, with a dust jacket that has some very minor tearing at the top and bottom of the cover. I believe it's a first edition, published by E.P Dutton & Co., New York, 1961. Furthermore, on the title page is one of Kittinger's own gummed bookplates, personally signed by him in blue ink - probably a fountain pen. I'd be prepared to trade it for any authentic Gus Grissom signature. Please contact me through my email address link above if interested. |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 07-20-2007 11:47 AM
Another hard-to-find book is "Vikings of '76" a 144 glossy pages hardcover photobook showing the engineers and the events on the NASA JPL campus during the 1976 Viking 1 & 2 landings (Hans-Peter BIEMANN 1977 - Congress Catalogue 77-71945). |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 07-20-2007 11:56 AM
Philip, you're still the only one who has sent me any scans so its looking like yours and my books only are gonna go on there (unless anyone else wants to add to the site). |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 07-20-2007 05:23 PM
Thanks to Paul, Philip and Cameron, I have received your scans and will be adding them to the site over the next few days.To all the people sending me pics, any info on editions, numbers of pages, and other info would be great to flesh out the pages with. |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 07-20-2007 05:43 PM
Philip, your Mars literature page is really nice. I have never seen about half the books you have pictured. Very cool! |
DCCollector
Member Posts: 227
From: Washington, DC USA
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 07-21-2007 06:15 PM
This talk of holy grails has me considering having a book signed by most, if not all, of the astronauts at Spacefest. Has anyone done that before? Other than the cost, are there any downsides to getting a multisigned book? And which book would you chose? |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3118
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-21-2007 09:59 PM
Go for "Apollo Expeditions to the Moon." When Jack Schmitt signed my copy (no charge!) he said it was "a great book, with some great writers..." Of course, he did write Chapter 14, and his picture is on the back cover.... |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 07-22-2007 03:18 AM
Well about signing books, new cSers probably don't know the "Who's Who" book of our moderator Robert Pearlman, who got this book, which has portrait photos of most pre-1986 astronuats & cosmonauts, signed by most of them! So that's a holy grail itself...Since the first Chinese manned missions, I've asked Michael Cassutt if he would make a new edition of this great book as nowadays we have a lot of new portraits, ranging from the Chinese, to Space participants and even Korean cosmonauts... but he replied it was hard to find an editor. Just a remark for those who are searching a good book with astronaut & cosmonaut portraits (especially handy to get it signed): try the 2nd BIS book on ISS, which has 14 pages of color portraits of those astronauts & cosmonauts who performed an EVA on the ISS between Dec 1998 and March 2005.
Those interested in a preview of that chapter can e-mail me. |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 07-22-2007 04:48 PM
I don't know if it is rare or not but "Countdown for Decision" by John Medaris has been recommended as a good book, and there is a signed copy on Abebooks for 65 bucks. (There was two signed copies but one is winging it's way to me now!) |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 07-24-2007 07:38 PM
I've had a couple of enquiries about the bookplate-signed copy of "The Long, Lonely Leap" I offered earlier in this debate, asking if I'd be interested in selling it, but I'm afraid I want to stick by the Grissom trade, which I think is a pretty fair exchange. |
atlas5guy
Member Posts: 33
From:
Registered: Jun 2007
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posted 07-24-2007 08:25 PM
I wholeheartedly agree with designating the ManHigh and Kittinger books as 'holy grails' (indeed I have copies of both!) but one of my favorite early space books is "First Into Outer Space" by Gordon and Scheer, the story of the first Pioneer moonshots (1959). It is likely the first book about an actual space mission from the first year of the Space Age. I think it is a marvellous portrait of that era, which is mostly forgotten (or ignored) today, Sputnik and Explorer 1 notwithstanding... |
Andy McCulley
Member Posts: 245
From: Lansdale, PA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 07-24-2007 09:32 PM
I have the three book, boxed, coffee table edition of "A Man on the Moon"While its not particularly rare or as famous as the "Who's Who," I am quite pleased with it. I have gotten it signed by Andrew Chaikin, Gene Kranz and 18 Apollo Astronauts, including 8 Moonwalkers. And best of all, I (and my daughter, Lauren) have met almost all of the signers. So, the combination makes it one of my Holy Grails. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 07-25-2007 01:06 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Gilbert:
Gemini - Virgil Grissom
Believe it or not, there is a circulating copy of Gemini in one New Jersey library, at least the last time I was there (maybe a year or so ago?)Probably one of the reasons it hasn't disappeared is because it's in a public library few go to, even more so because it's an independent library not part of a county system. (Interestingly enough, it was shelved right next to Space Shuttle: The First 20 Years...) |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 07-26-2007 03:43 PM
On a good note, I have managed to secure my next holy grail, the long sought after (by me) hardcover copy of NASA SP-4214 "Where No Man Has Gone Before". When it arrives I think I will indulge myself and put that on the site, as I've never seen another copy before.
The seller told me he thinks there may be as few as 30 copies, but that seems a tiny run of books for a NASA publication. Anyway it must be pretty rare. |
DCCollector
Member Posts: 227
From: Washington, DC USA
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 07-27-2007 06:30 PM
Many thanks to the posters in this thread! Your comments have led me to take steps to expand my own space book collection -- including a copy of 10:56:20, a really nice addition. |
skippy in space
Member Posts: 251
From: Aberdeen Scotland
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-30-2007 04:35 PM
An X Prize program, signed by every one involved except Paul Allen. |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 10-26-2008 06:17 PM
As for my "Holy Grail" books, I had a stack of stuff a friend of mine who once worked at Marshall SC give me a few years back. One of the titles he gave me was the Apollo 17 preliminary science report that NASA put out in soft cover book form. Recently though while looking for something else, I also found the Apollo 16 prelim report in the same stack of stuff as well. It is so much fun to thumb through this stuff from when the science of Apollo was still new and read about the discoveries.They may not be rare or holy grails to some, but to me, considering I was too young to remember Apollo, these are grails to me for the glimpse into that time that they impart. |
Spoon
Member Posts: 143
From: Cumbria, UK
Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-28-2008 07:36 PM
Over the years I have been luck enough to obtain all of my "holy grails" in book collecting, which is where my main interest lies. Amongst these are books that you are all familiar with, such as the four "Apollo Spacecraft Chronologies","Chariots for Apollo" along with the Mercury and Gemini project histories/chronologies etc. I was able to find good copies of them over the years, looking in the right places, relatively easily.However, since I was a little boy, I have had a particular "love" for the Saturn V (haven't we all?  ), so I have always been on the lookout for a copy of "Saturn Illustrated Chronology", the final, 1971 edition (finding "Stages to Saturn" was again easy enough to pick up). This is my "Holy Grail." For years I had no success, only either being able to discover an earlier edition or, when one finally did crop up, it was for literally hundereds of dollars, only for it to have been snapped up before I finally plucked up the courage to purchase it! Last week, I typed "Saturn Chronology" into Google, and along with the NASA histories website results, as normal, toward the bottom of the page was an entry directing me towards Amazon. So I clicked on it, curious more than hopeful, to discover a copy of the final, 1971 Marshall edition for sale through an Amazon third party seller. I sent an email, half expecting the listing to be in error, only for her to reply saying, yes, she still had the copy and she could ship to the UK! I didn't enquire about the condition as I was in shellshock due to finally finding a copy, any copy! I paid and waited with baited breath... Today it arrived and is an unread copy, virtually pristine! Unbelievable! After all these many, many years! Sorry for the long ramble, but I think only you guys will truly understand my moment of triumph! |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 11-29-2008 02:46 AM
Indeed, the NASA SP series (Special Publications) are the best books around and I'm happy to have collected these over the past 30 years.  Moreover, the Apollo Preliminary Science Reports are harder to find, for instance try to find the Apollo 11 Preliminary Science Report these days... |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 11-29-2008 05:26 AM
Great story Ian, thanks for sharing. You really capture the emotion of collecting well. And you're right about us all being Saturn junkies!I put Stages to Saturn and Moonport pretty high, but my holy grail has to be David Baker's History of Manned Spaceflight. Now over 25 years old, it was the first comprehensive report of the MGA missions that I read, and I still refer to it. |
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