Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents


Thread Closed  Topic Closed
  collectSPACE: Messages
  Patches & Pins
  Gemini quality reproductions (Page 2)

Post New Topic  
profile | register | preferences | faq | search


This topic is 6 pages long:   1  2  3  4  5  6 
next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Gemini quality reproductions
Bill Hunt
Member

Posts: 399
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 03-02-2006 02:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bill Hunt   Click Here to Email Bill Hunt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wow, this is a fascinating discussion. My hats off to all of you. The pursuit of accuracy and information here is really wonderful and illuminating!

benguttery
Member

Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 03-02-2006 08:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for benguttery   Click Here to Email benguttery     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
In a book entitled U.S. Space Gear - Outfitting The Astronaut (Kozloski, 1994), the writer indicates that "...decorative mission patches were separating from the suit..." prior to restoration of the Gemini 4 suit at the National Air & Space Musuem. I also recall reading somewhere that the original patches were removed from some suits and replaced for displace purposes. Does anyone know what the holdings of the Air & Space Museum are in this area?

edorr
Member

Posts: 64
From: Chelmsford, MA
Registered: Oct 2000

posted 03-02-2006 10:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for edorr     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My understanding is that after each flight the NASA folks who maintain the space suits would remove the patch from each suit and give it to the crewmember who wore it, as a souvenir.

After beta cloth patches began to be used, they would have had extra patches made and would replace the removed patch with one of the extras -- so Apollo suits you see in museums will have the patch, but it won't be the one that was flown.

I'm not sure about how it worked in Gemini days since -- at least for a while -- the crew themselves procured the embroidered patches for their flight. Perhaps the suit techs didn't have any extras with which to replace the removed patch. (Indeed, since the first patches were crew-supplied, they were technically the property of the crew. This may be how the practice of removing the patches and giving/returning them to the crew originated.)

astroborg
Member

Posts: 200
From: Woodbridge, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 03-03-2006 12:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for astroborg   Click Here to Email astroborg     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That makes sense. I still think this suit may not be Neil's G8 suit; it has four attachment point on its chest. I wonder if it may be his suit from when he served as backup cmdr for Pete Conrad on G12, and there were some "updates" to the standard suit? I'll try to send you one or two of my photos...

sfurtaw
Member

Posts: 104
From: Saginaw, MI USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-05-2006 07:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for sfurtaw   Click Here to Email sfurtaw     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I visited Michigan's Own, Inc., Military & Space Museum yesterday. Stan Bozich, the museum director, was kind enough to open McDivitt's showcase so I could get photos without a the glare of the glass. For hi-res versions, see here.

The only thing Stan could tell me about the patch is that it, along with the accompanying Apollo IX patch, were given to him by McDivitt.

Jim McDivitt's showcase

Gemini 4 patch

Bill Hunt
Member

Posts: 399
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 03-05-2006 11:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bill Hunt   Click Here to Email Bill Hunt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Fantastic pictures! Well done, Scott!

That Apollo 9 patch is definitely the flight-issue article, not the Lion Bros or the AB Emblems patch. Does anyone know who made either of these?

KSCartist
Member

Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 03-06-2006 05:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for KSCartist   Click Here to Email KSCartist     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If Jim McDivitt recognized this as the Gemini 4 patch (note the American Eagle-the name they wanted to give their spacecraft)- then it's good enough for me. So put me down for one of those when the set is made.

Bill Hunt
Member

Posts: 399
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 03-06-2006 12:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bill Hunt   Click Here to Email Bill Hunt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I agree. Interesting the two-tone blue in the background.

KAPTEC
Member

Posts: 578
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005

posted 03-06-2006 12:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for KAPTEC   Click Here to Email KAPTEC     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If Jim McDivitt gives his okay to this patch, we must consider it as the official Gemini 4 patch. But, I've also the same opinion of Jacques (van Oene) that all of them may be in 4"...

Jacques van Oene
Member

Posts: 861
From: Houten, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 03-06-2006 02:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jacques van Oene     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If there is someone who knows Jim McDivitt or will see him in the coming day's, please ask him about the Gemini 4 patch and also very important, when is this patch made, after the mission or before (I personally think it is made after the flight and that is was based on the gold and sterling silver medallions the crew took with them on the mission).

Is it an idea to write down what we know so far about the original patches, size, colors etc., so that "we" can start working on the reproduction on the info that we have, and add the missing info as it comes available?

So who has an original Gemini patch? Make a good high resolution photo of it, write down the colors used in the patch, the exact size, etc.

Do we include the Molly Brown and Gemini 4 (that are not flown and original patches), a program patch? What Gemini 6 patch do we make GTA-6 or Gemini 6 or both?

And the Gemini 5 patch will it be with or without the silk cover over the 8 days words... or do we make two versions?

And what about a price? And can we buy only the set or also one or two patches?

A lot of questions and so far no answers.

GoesTo11
Member

Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 03-06-2006 04:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoesTo11   Click Here to Email GoesTo11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think "our" set should include the Molly Brown patch seen worn by John Young, as well as the G-4 patch pictured above...They are both handsome designs, and just as importantly, they apparently have "bona fides" from the living crew members of both missions.

I'd like to re-iterate my belief that the set should include the Gemini-era meatball of the style visible on McDivitt's flight suit in the display shown here. Even without it, though, I'd buy a couple of sets. A display of the eight (correctly represented) mission patches, plus Molly Brown, G-4, the program patch, and the white-bordered meatball would look great next to my Apollo display!

mjanovec
Member

Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 03-06-2006 05:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mjanovec   Click Here to Email mjanovec     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Regarding GTA-6 or Gemini 6, I think perhaps the best solution (in leiu of creating two patches, which is fine by me) would be to go with the flown design.

Bill Hunt
Member

Posts: 399
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 03-06-2006 05:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bill Hunt   Click Here to Email Bill Hunt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Frankly, if we're serious about doing this, then by all means let's be complete about it.

Let's do the complete slate, along with the multiple versions:

NASA Meatball (Gemini-era)
Vintage Gemini Program
Gemini 3 - Molly Brown
Gemini 4 - McDivitt
Gemini 5 - covered version
Gemini 5 - 8 Days or Bust uncovered version
Gemini 6
Gemini 6 - GTA-6 version
Gemini 7 - without names
Gemini 7 - with names
Gemini 8
Gemini 9
Gemini 8 - with names
Gemini 10
Gemini 11 - Conrad and Gordon
Gemini 12

We could even do the back-up crew patches (where there known designs, like Gemini 11) and the Manned Orbiting Lab patch.

But my vote would be for as complete a set of accurate replicas as possible. I'd easily buy two sets.

Space Emblem Art
Member

Posts: 194
From: Citrus Heights, CA - USA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 03-07-2006 01:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Space Emblem Art   Click Here to Email Space Emblem Art     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I like the idea of a Gemini set including: Gemini era NASA meatball, NASA/Gemini program, Molly Brown, "McDivitt museum" Gemini 4 and the rest of the "as flown" Gemini flight crew patches. While an expanded plan to include back-up crews, MOL, etc. patches sounds cool, it might become unwieldy to expand like that at this time. Perhaps that could be another project for another time.

Earlier in this string someone mentioned how fully embroidered patches are best, but to keep this project true, 'less than' fully embroidered patches should be made if that's the way the originals were. After all, it was a simpler time in the '60s, even with patches.

I'm looking forward to hear about the progress of this as time goes on.

Bill Hunt
Member

Posts: 399
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 03-07-2006 04:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bill Hunt   Click Here to Email Bill Hunt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I could go along with that - I would suggest then that the set include the meatball, the flight patches (including the various versions) and then the backups and MOL can wait. Of course, it's certainly up to the group.

I also agree that the patches should have the highest fidelity to the originals as possible. The key is going to be finding a company willing to take on the task, that can do the quality work we're all looking for.

Is AB the current consensus?

Harald Kraenzel
Member

Posts: 304
From: Dinslaken,Germany
Registered: Nov 2005

posted 03-07-2006 05:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Harald Kraenzel   Click Here to Email Harald Kraenzel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I agree on having the extra patches as a future project.

Do we still plan CS as a hallmark?

justin13
Member

Posts: 50
From: Richmond, VA, U.S.A.
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 03-07-2006 09:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for justin13   Click Here to Email justin13     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm a proponent of only reproducing the flown version of the patch. The original complaint, that I echo wholeheartedly, is that I don't want to be stuck with a reproduction that is unfaithful to the actual patch. Why produce the same old Gemini 7 and 10 repros with the crew's names on it when this project started as a way to replace existing repros with the same flaw?

The two versions of the Gemini 5 patch sounds like a promising idea, and I like the idea of adding the Gemini 3 and 4 designs. But other than that, I for one would just say stick to the as-flown designs. Keep it simple for this project. Pick up the unflown versions of the Gemini patches with the back-up patches at a later date.

keith.wilson
Member

Posts: 87
From: Callander, Stirling, Scotland
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 03-07-2006 11:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for keith.wilson     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm all for the 'official' ones - as in patches as they were flown during the Gemini programme. This includes a covered Gemini 5 but not Gemini 3, 4 or GTA-6. The 'after the fact' and 'alternative' patches should be dealt with later.

edorr
Member

Posts: 64
From: Chelmsford, MA
Registered: Oct 2000

posted 03-07-2006 11:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for edorr     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I fall into the camp that wants decent reproductions of flown Gemini patches. I really don't care about backup crew patches; MOL was an Air Force program, and never flew (plus it's a program patch, not a mission patch); and I'm not convinced that the "McDivitt patch" even had the imprimatur of McDivitt. Show me even a single photo of McDivitt wearing that patch and I'll happily change my mind; but it never flew.

Beyond that, there is the question of

-- Gemini 5: motto or no motto.

-- Gemini 6: GTA-6 or GEMINI 6

For Gemini 5, if we are *really* into verisimilitude, I suppose the most "authentic" reproduction would be to make the patch with the motto, and then sew a bit of cloth over the wagon to cover it up! I'm inclined to omit the motto, but would actually prefer to have the bit of cloth sewn on. But I'm sure that would be prohibitively expensive. Perhaps a "middle way" would be to offer the patch with the motto, and include a bit of cloth that the buyer could sew on, if desired. (I'm really not kidding -- did I mention I can be a bit pedantic?)

Regarding Gemini 6, the GTA-6 patch didn't fly; the GEMINI 6 patch did. Most repros (that were are complaining about, right?) are the GTA-6 version... and why is it we are planning on making our own "accurate" repros?

On the "crew names v. no crew names" question, all I can say is: were there names on the patches the crew wore during the flight?

Moving on, I see no problem whatever with making another set (or sets) of patches as a separate offering -- including the NASA meatball, the GTA-6, the crew names included, backup crew patches, the McDivitt museum patch, etc., etc. But if we start adding these to the original project, where do we draw the line?

For me personally, the single exception is the Gemini 3 Molly Brown patch -- there are numerous photos of John Young wearing it, dating back to 1969 at least. Plus, as I state on my site, "despite flying two missions, and being assigned to command a third, Grissom never flew a space flight with a mission patch". And -- for me this is the clincher -- "According to John Young, during his Apollo training Gus Grissom had a batch of "Molly Brown" patches made." I'm on the fence about whether to include this one, and could be persuaded either way.

mjanovec
Member

Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 03-07-2006 01:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mjanovec   Click Here to Email mjanovec     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I agree that flown patch designs are the most important to replicate. For Gemini 3 and 4, I could take or leave the patches... but wouldn't mind having them, if they are crew-endorsed designs. I would be in greater favor of having an accurate NASA meatball design, as those did fly on all the missions. For the other Gemini missions, only the flown designs should be used.

For Gemini V, I would be in favor of having the slogan for the following reasons:

  1. The slogan was what the crew intended to have displayed on the patch.
  2. The slogan was on the flown patch (and thus represents a flown design), albeit under a sewn-on cloth cover.
  3. Providing the slogan allows individuals to choose whether or not to sew on their own cloth cover or not.
Otherwise, for Gemini 6-12, stick with the flown versions only. Alternates could be made at a later date if demand were high enough for a spin-off project. However, we want this primary patch project to be as successful as possible, so it makes sense to concentrate efforts on perfecting the 8 flown patch designs... and possibly the Gemini 3 and 4 design and/or a period-accurate NASA meatball. Beyond that, you start to enter territory that greatly increases the complexity of the project AND increases the price of the set (therefore reducing the overall number of potential participants). Also, if one presents two very similar patch designs to the patch maker, confusion may result... and we may end up with a product we're less than happy with... especially if the confusion results in a hybrid design.

Keep in mind the aim here is to produce an accurate set of patches that are an alternate to the numerous inaccurate designs already in the marketplace.

Bill Hunt
Member

Posts: 399
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 03-07-2006 01:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bill Hunt   Click Here to Email Bill Hunt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Good points all. I do think that it would be nice to do the alternate versions and back-ups as a later project for those who would like them, but the key now is definitely to make replicas of the flown patches that are as accurate as possible.

KAPTEC
Member

Posts: 578
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005

posted 03-07-2006 03:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for KAPTEC   Click Here to Email KAPTEC     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I agree 100% with Bill. First patches who had flown, exactly as they were. After backups, not-flown, G3 and G4. I also would include the American Flag with same sizes of the Gemini 4 crew wore as patch.

kyra
Member

Posts: 583
From: Louisville CO US
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 03-08-2006 07:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for kyra   Click Here to Email kyra     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Agreed. Ditto on the flown versions then G3 and G4. By that time we will know more about the G4 patch.

It seems to me if the G4 design was on the fliteline and Mr. McDivitt has anything to do with this patch, then this is the closest we will ever get to a GT-4 patch.

As for GT-3 the Molly Brown is the "real one", although unflown.

Check out the "Life in Space" (1983) coffee table book. It has them all except G4. As a kid I found the souveneir versions too far off, and produced my own with felt tipped markers, laminated them and placed them on my wall ! I still have a few

nelyubov
Member

Posts: 131
From: USA
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 03-10-2006 09:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for nelyubov   Click Here to Email nelyubov     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by sfurtaw:
I visited Michigan's Own, Inc., Military & Space Museum yesterday.
Scott -- great photos of the McDivitt patch -- now I know that I wasn't seeing things years ago. My sanity has been restored.

nitro
New Member

Posts:
From:
Registered:

posted 04-28-2006 09:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for nitro   Click Here to Email nitro     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would love to see this project move ahead. This is a set I would love to have for my collection!

Bill Hunt
Member

Posts: 399
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 04-29-2006 12:24 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bill Hunt   Click Here to Email Bill Hunt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If it would be helpful, I'd be happy to send good quality scans of the Gemini patches I won from the Superior auction. They're as follows:

1. Gemini 3 "Molly Brown"
2. Gemini 7 "Gemini Seven" version
3. Gemini 9 crew name tab version
4. Gemini 10
5. Gemini 11
6. Gemini 12

There are decent scans of some of those floating around, but not others. Let me know if any of them would be helpful.

Go4Launch
Member

Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-20-2006 10:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Go4Launch   Click Here to Email Go4Launch     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm sorry to be the skunk at the garden party, but I have commented on this subject before and I must make two main points against this project:

First, would there be the same enthusiasm for a project to exactly reproduce postal covers, Robbins medallions, or autographed items? To have as a goal making perfect copies as discussed here means that the unavoidable result would make them so "authentic" that they couldn't easily be differentiated from real patches. There's already been quite a bit of concern elsewhere in these forums about exacting reproductions of Apollo 12 flight documents, primarily because of the very real possibility they'll be misrepresented (presumably for big profit) as genuine, while forgers seem to be regarded here (and quite correctly) as despicable if not criminal.

Second, to quote from the NASA captions accompanying manned flight insignia:

"The NASA insignia design for the Apollo [or Gemini] flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which we do not anticipate, it will be publicly announced."

"This is the official Apollo (15, for example) emblem, property of the government of the United States. It has been authorized only for use by the astronauts. Its reproduction in any form other than in news, information or education media is not authorized without approval. Unauthorized use of the photograph is subject to the provisions of Title 18, US Code, Section 701."

To quote Section 701:

"Sec. 701. Official badges, identification cards, other insignia

Whoever manufactures, sells, or possesses any badge, identification card, or other insignia, of the design prescribed by the head of any department or agency of the United States for use by any officer or employee thereof, or any colorable imitation thereof, or photographs, prints, or in any other manner makes or executes any engraving, photograph, print, or impression in the likeness of any such badge, identification card, or other insignia, or any colorable imitation thereof, except as authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both." (Badge in this context refers to a patch).

But there's also a third, albeit more debatable argument against this project: what does our hobby mean? What does it stand for? What kind of collectors just order up items they'd LIKE to have in their collections simply because (get this) there aren't enough authentic items to go around?

If having fake items in your collection really turns you on, then go for it. But this would really open up a Pandora's box very quickly, and surely create huge problems as the years go by for fellow collectors.

If you are determined in this very public forum to violate not only federal law but also the basic tenants of collecting, I can't stop you. But you'll do this hobby a grave and irreversible disservice if you don't at least have these patches CLEARLY MARKED to guard against historical confusion at least, and potentially criminal fraud at most, in the months and years to come. I'd strongly suggest having each patch clearly embroidered on the back with the words "2007 REPRODUCTION."

But more strongly, I'd urge you to continue to honor what makes collecting a fun, honest (and hopefully honorable)pursuit: trying to locate, obtain, value and preserve authentic space memorabilia for the sake of future collectors.

Thanks for your consideration.

lucspace
Member

Posts: 403
From: Hilversum, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-21-2006 01:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lucspace   Click Here to Email lucspace     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I thought it had been established some time ago that any reproduction that would be produced as part of this project would bear a hallmark clearly identifying them as such. So I see no problem introducing reproduced (not 'fake') patches into the market.

As I stated in my very first posting in this thread, I think a good reproduction is better that no patch at all. Certainly as the patches in question are so extremely rare, and it is unlikely we will see any on eBay any time soon. A lot of collectors seem to agree with me.

In my opinion an art lover is still an art lover if he/she chooses to display a good reproduction of a Picasso at home.

As far as I know. NASA patch designs are free of copyright. There is a long history of these designs being manufactured by several parties. To the best of my knowledge, these are not breaking the law.

Besides, it seems that the NASA rule on public availability on patch design changes since that quoted rule was written. For a long time, embroidered versions of the designs have been available to the public through NASA itself; the shops at their various visitors' centers; not only 'illustrations provided through the media'.

KAPTEC
Member

Posts: 578
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005

posted 10-21-2006 03:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for KAPTEC   Click Here to Email KAPTEC     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm still interesed in the reproductions (not fakes). I'm agree with Luc thinking that it's better a faithful repro than nothing.

KSCartist
Member

Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 10-21-2006 06:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for KSCartist   Click Here to Email KSCartist     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You're not "the skunk at the tea party." You raise a valid point and we understand your intent. That being said it was always our intention to place some type of mark on the patch identifying it as a reproduction. We only became interested in this project because of the poor quality reproductions of (Gemini especially) patch artwork available. Like Luc said even at NASA souvenir shops.

Look at the reproduction of the Gemini 11 patch that was authorized and supported by Dick Gordon. He wasn't trying to defraud collectors, he was only trying to improve the accuracy of the patch art he and Pete Conrad proudly wore into space 40 years ago.

That's all we want to do.

There will always be people who try to make a buck selling something by mis-representing it. I got into a huge fight at a flea market in Springield, Mass back in 1986 when I confronted a vendor trying to sell an autographed STS-51L crew photo. The trouble was I believed that Judy Resnik knew how to spell her last name.

mjanovec
Member

Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 10-21-2006 09:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mjanovec   Click Here to Email mjanovec     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I can think of many reasons for wanting to own reproduction patches... not just to fill gaps in a collection where one does not have originals.

For example, I would like to simply obtain a set for wearing on clothing (gasp ).

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42983
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 10-22-2006 10:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It was (and for the most part, continues to be) my hope that AB Emblem would pick up this project as a means of continuing what they already started with the release of the Gemini XI anniversary patch. It is still possible that they may, and with the approaching Gemini XII anniversary, I'll be watching for news from them on this topic.

The AB initiatve has several advantages over the alternatives but primarily it delivers a quality reproduction (to borrow from the title of this thread) that is also astronaut-endorsed.

In regards to John's comments, I think its helpful to clarify the difference between design and appearance. The way I understand this project (and its ensuing interest), collectors want Gemini patches that are more faithful to the original designs created and chosen by the astronauts. It is not an effort to create replicas of the actual flight patches themselves, but the designs they depicted.

As such, any effort today to create more accurate Gemini patches will have several very distinguishable differences, the least of which will be the wax coating on their backs. The patches will be created on modern machines that use much cleaner stitching than what was possible in the early 1960s. But if that isn't enough, I think everyone has agreed to the inclusion of a hallmark by which to easily identify these new patches as new reproductions.

In regard to legal restrictions, I believe the information John provided is out of date. There was a time when NASA tried to limit the reproduction of their mission insiginias as they felt that they were being misused. And while NASA still holds the rights to their insignias, they have permitted manufacturers to proceed with using the art in commercial products. Indeed, NASA itself (through their exchange stores) is a customer for these same products. That's not to say that NASA logos are open to all uses today, but they are not as limited as described in John's post.

To be honest, I do find myself in agreement with John's final point: I believe there is a value to letting some items remain rare and unobtainable, but I don't see this project as being at odds with that belief. If executed as I imagine, there would be no mistaking these patches for the vintage artifact and would only be serving to correct errors present in the souvenir editions that have been available for many years.

Go4Launch
Member

Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-22-2006 11:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Go4Launch   Click Here to Email Go4Launch     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I appreciate everyone's responses, especially the recognition that any reproductions should be clearly identified. And certainly, all collectors are entitled to collect as they wish.

On the legal issue, enforcement is clearly not a major priority so many years later, but Robert is correct: NASA still holds the rights. A-B obviously has a long relationship with NASA and I'm confident their attorneys would make sure they were not violating the law, regardless of whether it's being enforced.

lucspace
Member

Posts: 403
From: Hilversum, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-23-2006 12:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lucspace   Click Here to Email lucspace     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Robert, my intention for this project was to produce reproduction patches as they were worn on the suits of the astronauts, (as I indicated in one of my first posts), not the original designs. So, I would like to see replica flight patches... I thought that was clear from the start, but I'd like to make sure here that others who expressed an interest earlier, also would like to see those.

To be honest, I was not overly thrilled by the AB Gemini XI 40th anniversary patch... differences in details on the astronaut figure and an umbilical in the wrong color. I don't necessarily think that's AB's mistake, it may have been poor research by whoever produced the artwork for this patch.

At what point do we decide to select another manufacturer should AB decide not to redo their entire Gemini series?

Bill Hunt
Member

Posts: 399
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 10-23-2006 01:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bill Hunt   Click Here to Email Bill Hunt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yeah, I'll second Luc's comments. I too would like to see a modern replica set of the patches as flown on the original space suits. Patches that would be as accurate as possible, but still obviously of modern manufacture. I too wasn't particularly thrilled with AB's reporduction, but still if they did some of the others, I'd be interested in purchasing them. That said, AB seems in no hurry to do any more. I'd like to see the original effort continue, AB or no AB.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42983
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 10-23-2006 01:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Luc and Bill, it would be helpful to illustrate what you have in mind if you would comment how you would have produced the GT-11 patch differently from AB's recent re-issue (other than the aforementioned design details they seem to have gotten wrong). What else about the patch didn't you care for?

Jacques van Oene
Member

Posts: 861
From: Houten, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 10-23-2006 01:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jacques van Oene     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm with Luc and Bill on this..

I also would like to have an set of reproduction patches as worn by the astronauts, not just patches that look like them. There are many photos out there that show the real patches on the suits so it would be not that hard to come to a good reproduction. To me it looks like AB is not willing to make these since it takes a long time for them to make up there mind.

Is it an idea to start asking an other patch company what there prices are and if they want to make these patches?

Mike Z
Member

Posts: 451
From: Ellicott City, Maryland
Registered: Dec 2005

posted 10-23-2006 04:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mike Z   Click Here to Email Mike Z     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Has anyone thought of trying to contact Lion Brothers here in Baltimore, Maryland?

Owen Miller
Member

Posts: 18
From:
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 11-16-2006 06:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Owen Miller     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have not monitored this forum closely of late. If this project ever happens I would be interested in a set.

I would also be interested in a set of Project Mercury patches. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

GoesTo11
Member

Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 11-18-2006 11:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoesTo11   Click Here to Email GoesTo11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Owen Miller:
I would also be interested in a set of Project Mercury patches. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
The Mercury commemorative patches are pretty widely available (see also the buySPACE section of this site).

Keep in mind, if you didn't already know, that the Mercury "mission patches" are commemoratives that were designed well after the fact and weren't actually worn in flight by the astronauts on their Mercury missions.


This topic is 6 pages long:   1  2  3  4  5  6 

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Open Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a





advertisement