posted 11-08-2020 04:11 PM               

Are most of the flown flags the same size? I'm probably going to avoid American flags and look for more unique flags (for example, I love the Shuttle-Mir flags from STS-91). I know these are normally found on awards given to NASA employees.

posted 11-09-2020 08:42 AM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by RichieB16:
I'm probably going to avoid American flags and look for more unique flags...

---

• Enterprise: ALT American flag

• Columbia: STS-65 Apollo 11 25th anniversary

• Challenger: STS-7 RCA Astro-Electronics 25th anniversary

• Discovery: STS-91 Phase 1 Shuttle-Mir Program

• Atlantis: STS-66 Atlas 3

• Endeavour: STS-49 Orbiter Flag

posted 12-26-2020 10:58 AM               

I thought a variety of designs would be more interesting rather than all of the flags being USA flags. I also have a strong affinity for the STS-91 Shuttle-Mir flag and the STS-88 ISS flag displays.

I sat down with Photoshop and mocked up what such a display might look like and this is what I came up with. Honestly, I think the variety design looks very busy and think the USA flags look a ton nicer.

So, I am now thinking I will try and get a USA flag from each shuttle to create such a display maybe.

I would love your opinions on such a project.

Plus, based on my research it seems that most (if not all) shuttle missions flew with small USA flags onboard. I figure if I am going to do this, I should strive for a flag from my favorite mission from each shuttle.

With that in mind, how hard/costly would it be to track down a 4x6 USA flag from the following missions:

• Columbia: STS-1
  
• Challenger: STS-41-C
  
• Discovery: STS-95
  
• Atlantis: STS-71
  
• Endeavour: STS-88

posted 12-26-2020 11:34 AM               

Regardless of which approach you choose, one thing to keep in mind is that often the only provenance that exists that a flag has flown is the certificate or poster board to which it is glued. Removing the flag separates it from its provenance and while you can document that process and retain the original mounts, it will forever weaken the provenance of the flags.

I suspect that it is not a huge concern for you, as your intention is to have a display you can enjoy and you will know the flags are flown. But given the costs of creating such a display, maybe $2000 to $3000 in total with archival framing, it is something to consider.

As for the missions themselves (prices are estimates, based on recent sales when possible; others may differ in opinion):

• STS-1: sells $500 to $1000; readily available but you may have to wait for one that meets your desired price and condition (many are badly glue stained).

• STS-41C: $250 to $350, depending if the presentation is signed by the entire crew; not as commonly seen as STS-1, so you may have to be patient for one to come to market.

• STS-95: $500 to $750; rarest on your list, though there is one presently for sale through The Space Store.

• STS-71: $350 to $450, though may be mounted with another flag or patch that will increase the price; this and STS-88 may just be a matter of waiting for one to surface at market.

• STS-88: $350 to $450, as mentioned above, this may require patience for an example to be offered for sale.

posted 12-26-2020 01:52 PM               

He brought up a key point, prices do depend on signatures, especially if they are fully crew signed or by a single popular astronaut. With that in mind, presentations with printed signatures instead will almost always cost less. These might be better candidates for your project if you do intend to remove the flag from the mount. Other collectors have posted photos on cS of framing designs that allow the flag to be shown through a window in the mat while preserving the mount underneath, just something to consider as an alternative.

STS-1 flags are for sale very regularly (almost always a few on eBay at any given time), for the other missions you've selected be prepared to wait as it can take a considerable amount of patience. I've been hunting for a presentation from a specific mission for 15 years now with none coming to market... somewhat surprising since there were 550+ US flags flown on the flight. The mission isn't even a "milestone" flight like the ones on your list, so while it should only be worth a few hundred dollars, I truly have no idea how many others will be vying for one when the first ultimately surfaces and I may have to pay more if I really want it.

posted 12-27-2020 10:14 AM               

If you separate a flag from its original certificate there is no longer any real provenance for it. You may know it to be the case, and down the line other people may trust that you are telling the truth when you say that particular flag came from a particular mission, but there will be no real proof. The resale value becomes faith-based rather than being based on any form of solid provenance.

posted 12-27-2020 10:18 AM               

This will likely require the certificate to be folded in some way, but I am fine with that.

posted 12-27-2020 08:08 PM               

I've put mini-biographies together for the presentations on display to document the importance and to share with those who want to known more when visiting my home.

To me, the story is a tangible part of the value and its just plain fun to put it all together. It keeps the history alive, even if only in a small way, after the original owner/family has decided they no longer need the physical artifact. I'm only lucky enough to have been presented with one display personally, so taking the others down off the wall wouldn't be any fun.

posted 12-28-2020 04:06 AM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by thisismills:
I have yet to see one of those STS-61A German flags sold.

---

These German-flags are directly from JSC. I am not aware of any such flags being offered for sale in the last two decades.