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Author Topic:   Replica Apollo recovery crew patches
mooncollector
Member

Posts: 104
From: Alabama, USA
Registered: Feb 2011

posted 11-07-2011 08:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mooncollector   Click Here to Email mooncollector     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I follow the Crew Patches website pretty closely as far as designs for patches and determinations about what may constitute an "original" patch vs. a "replica."

There was a grouping of Apollo recovery patches posted on eBay this last week that all had some deviation from what was considered "original" so I treated them as replicas.

I don't plan on spending three figures for any patches soon, so I had a solid bid (according to the website) on a replica Apollo 13 patch, really wanted it, and wouldn't you know, someone thinking it was an authentic version, nukes me out of it in the last seconds. What's with that? I have been upset all day long over that auction.

Anyway, how difficult is it to find ANY of these, and what should be the "ground rules" for them as far as replicas and pricing?

spaced out
Member

Posts: 3175
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 11-08-2011 05:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for spaced out   Click Here to Email spaced out     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Apollo 13 recovery patch was clearly a replica, but not the version on my site, although I did note under the replica entry there that other replica versions doubtless exist. In any case will add this other replica to the site shortly. It sold for $21.51 which to me is not that much for a replica. If I had a 5" replica patch made today I'd be unable to sell it for less than $15 to $20 to have a hope of breaking even.

The Apollo 14 recovery patch was more unusual and sold for $61.59. In my opinion it's likely a modern patch despite its bare cloth back but in any case the 4" size means it's not the real deal. I'll add this to my site as a probable replica.

The Apollo 11, 12, 16 and 17 patches were regular replicas and sold for peanuts. In my opinion these are all pretty good replicas (including the Apollo 13 patch). There's no way I could have patches like this made and be able to sell them for $7 each unless I could sell several hundred examples, so I would say these are pretty good value.

mooncollector
Member

Posts: 104
From: Alabama, USA
Registered: Feb 2011

posted 11-08-2011 06:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mooncollector   Click Here to Email mooncollector     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
So then I take it that these were versions that you have actually not seen before? I guess that means there are a lot of different variants out there. What I am hoping for is to find a person or website that supplies any of these. I am partial to the 5" versions because those look like they are closest to the original.

Wish I had another shot at that Apollo 13...

JFS61
Member

Posts: 101
From: Bryan, Texas USA
Registered: Jun 2005

posted 11-08-2011 10:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for JFS61   Click Here to Email JFS61     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
In regards to the Apollo 14 replica recovery patch with a plain back, I do recall that before his passing Randy Hunt was indeed making replica patches with plain backs, his Lexington Apollo X recovery patch being one that comes to mind offhand.

mooncollector
Member

Posts: 104
From: Alabama, USA
Registered: Feb 2011

posted 11-08-2011 10:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mooncollector   Click Here to Email mooncollector     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I see the new entry. You state that they are "commercially available"... do you have any idea at all where they could be found? I am wondering if some site like Stewart Emblems may be the producer.

The smaller ones are still on eBay. I guess I could get one as a space filler to hold me over until I can locate the 5" version. I just don't have a sense of how hard these are to find yet.

SXPatches
Member

Posts: 148
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020

posted 10-17-2021 12:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SXPatches   Click Here to Email SXPatches     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wondering if anyone has a better photo of this patch?

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