Space memorabilia either commemorates or had a direct role in humanity's efforts to explore space.

Many areas of collecting (e.g. autographs, stamps, coins, etc.) overlap with space memorabilia. Unique to the category are the artifacts that have flown in space.

Collectors new to the hobby (and the public) are often surprised to learn that an individual can legally own items that have been flown in space. Their thought process tends to follow that if space exploration is a government operated activity (and for the most part, it currently is), the results of that activity should be the property of the public.

In practice, that reasoning holds true. Most of the significant examples of space memorabilia (e.g. spacesuits and spacecraft) are transferred to public museums or archives. Less notable artifacts however, are often discarded as scrap material or gifted to VIPs, contractors, and astronauts.

Once ownership has been transferred, collectors are free to pursue these items. Popular venues for space memorabilia include auctions and private sales.

There are two types of items though, that are illegal and carry stiff penalities for possession. The first are the moon rocks carried back to Earth by the Apollo astronauts. Even the moonwalkers were not allowed to keep a sample for themselves. The second is wreckage from either the Space Shuttle Challenger or Columbia. If you come into contact with either moon rocks or shuttle debris, you should contact NASA.

Please see: Astronaut Addresses

You are welcome to describe your find on our message boards. Collectors reading your post may very likely be able to assist you.

You may also contact the collectSPACE directly at contact@collectspace.com. If possible, please include an image of the item for which you are seeking assistance.

Unless you personally witnessed the autograph being signed (or can trust the person who did) there is no guarantee that your signature is authentic.

To rule out a machine-generated signature, see: Autopens and Forgeries.

The primary resource available are the results of prior sales of similar items. For a history of prices realized, see: Sales and Auctions

You may also contact collectSPACE directly. Provide as much detail as possible (include an image if possible): contact@collectspace.com.

Please see: buySPACE

You can also browse: Websites - Dealers.

Please see: buySPACE

You are also welcome to post to: "Buy, Sell, Trade"

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