posted 04-10-2000 12:33 PM               

In looking at the items up for sale in the new Superior auction, all the items come with a COPY of the documentation that Superior has. The original is in their files. Why wouldn't Superior give the winning bidder the ORIGINAL documentation and keep a copy for their files? What possible use would Superior have for the original after they have sold the item?

I think these are questions that bidders should keep in mind when they are looking through the Superior list of offered items.

posted 04-10-2000 11:11 PM               

Along those lines is why I'm now pursuing written memories from the boy who owned my Gemini signed poster. I've asked if he can find a photo or two of him as a boy with the poster in the background.

I've also requested any memories from the uncle that gave it to him. That uncle worked at Martin Marietta and was the person the astronauts presented it too. What memories does he have of meeting these men.

posted 04-12-2000 12:40 PM              

The fact of the matter is that, as far as I remember, such a comment applies to only one item, the flown Apollo 17 flag. All other items come with complete NASA or contractor documentation or none at all. In the case of the A-17 flown flag, there were about 15 flown flags in an envelope with one handwritten COA from Gene Cernan and one from Ed Barker, to whom he had given the envelope. Since Mr. Barker is deceased and the material was consigned by his estate, how do you propose I supply original COAs with all the flags — or should I have just offered them as one lot — thus costing the estate a lot of money.

I believe that you owe Superior an apology for casting aspersions where none were justified. There is no reason for Superior to accumulate original COAs in our files except in cases such as the above and, in such cases, the buyer of the last piece gets the original COA as I feel they should.

posted 04-13-2000 02:42 PM               

I must agree with Mr. Davies, that I think that the items, listed as a lot, with proper documentation would make money for the estate. You have another opinion which is certaily a valid one.

I collect space items because I grew up during the Apollo era of exploration. I do not do this to make money, but I also don't do it to lose money. The hobby has certainly "taken off" in the past few months and a lot of money is being spent. A few years down the road, how much is a flag from Apollo 17 going to be worth with a Xerox copy of a letter from Mr. Cernan. Do you think that the person who purchased the flag will be able to get his or her money out of it with that type of documentation? Would Superior take a flag for auction with a Xerox copy of a letter from an astronaut saying that it flew on his mission?

posted 04-13-2000 03:03 PM               

While I can understand Superior's difficulty when only one COA exsists for a multiple item lot, that lot should be sold as a whole so that the buyer gets the COA or NOT SOLD AT ALL. Of course that buyer will once again be faced with the same lack of documentation if/when they break the lot for resale.

posted 04-13-2000 05:44 PM              

Regarding the apology, it had nothing to do with the question of documentation. It had to do with your blanket comment that "...ALL of the items come with a COPY of the documentation that Superior has.The original is in their files...". I just don't see where or how that is a true statement and feel that it does Superior an injustice. On the one A-17 lot, you are correct. On the other lots you are flat wrong as they all include original documentation (To be on the safe side, one or two of the other lots may have come with photocopies from the consignors. I haven't checked. Don't call me a bum for this when 99% of the material has original documentation.)

Anyway, so as not to work the horse to death, I agree with you that original documentation is preferable and documentation is a must. In most cases, it frequently just isn't available as material has changed hands many times. You, as a collector, may choose not to purchase an item without original documentation. For someone else, who maybe can't afford a fully certified item, they may be willing to settle for less. There is something for everyone.

In the case of Superior, we get consignments from a range of consigners, and I do my best to determine authenticity and offer items with my best opinion attached. If I were to turn down every item with less than ideal documentation, it would be difficult to put together a sale.

posted 04-15-2000 11:43 AM               

You state you do your best to ensure authenticity, well I am afraid that isn't really good enough. Something is authentic or it is not, there is no middle ground, and something can only be proven authentic both now and in the future if it has the irrefutable documentary evidence to support that. If it has that hard evidence then you don't have to do any authenticating !!