posted 07-28-2010 12:33 PM               

#1 on the list is Neil Armstrong (signed Neil A S?), and crew. A few more are Buzz Aldron, Tom Stafford, Dick Gordon and more.

These are 100% authentic, as my wife attended Clear Lake High with the NASA brats, Graduated 1976 (Gus Babb's son is her best friend) and her father was a VP at a local bank, hence the new bills.

posted 07-29-2010 04:20 AM               

I failed to mention, the bills are consecutive numbers.

The set shown, is the bills being sold. However, the buyer will receive high def scans of the matching bills, or the entire set if you wish. A total of 24 bills are in the sleeves. 18 of which are signed. only 6 are being sold. The others are being passed on to my sons, sorry.

I failed to realize the worth of these, and I am still gathering information on them. I will have the exchange brokered through a local attorney if you wish, it would make me feel more comfortable.

Some signatures are illegible. I encourage you to match Apollo mission crew names with the signatures, and I'll do my level best to do the same.

So far I only have up to mission 13. Thanks,

posted 07-29-2010 07:53 AM               

I have yet to understand the values of these, since I have nothing to compare, but *reasonable* offers are welcomed.

These will be sold, so don't be afraid to email me.

Again, these are authentic, and will be treated as such. I'd prefer the safety of an attorney to handle the sale, as this protects you and I.

posted 07-29-2010 12:17 PM               

I appreciate the offers, but someone was kind enough to email me an approximate worth.

So a reasonable offer should reflect the credible history, uniqueness of the items signed, and the fact that they are a set.

posted 07-29-2010 02:15 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by wetherby1:
...these are in fact collectibles, and will do nothing but appreciate.

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posted 07-29-2010 02:44 PM               

• Heritage Auction Galleries, Dallas, Texas
  
• Lunar Legacies, Cocoa Beach, Florida
  
• Regency Superior Galleries, Beverly Hills, California
  
• RR Auction, Amherst, New Hampshire

posted 07-29-2010 03:37 PM               

At this moment, she is considering selling or auctioning the entire set of 24 pieces, as well as some signed lithos. One of which is the 11 crew that signed (Earth Shot?)

posted 07-29-2010 04:23 PM               

They do make a nice set and the consecutive numbers are interesting and if someone want to acquire them all together then let them outbid everyone else on each item. It's still much better (for you) to allow individual collectors with different targets and budgets to bid freely on each item.

Another trap that I see many sellers fall into is that someone gives them a rough idea of what an item might be worth (usually a high-end price) and the seller then lists the item with an opening bid or reserve set at that price. The result? Zero bids and no sale.

Find a way to sell them that gets the best exposure in the right circles and then let them find their own price. They're worth what a couple of bidders on the day decide they can afford. No one can predict exactly what that price will be.

posted 07-29-2010 09:16 PM               

My grandmother, Vermelle Cathey, was the executive secretary to the president of First National Bank of Houston, his name was Albert Cleere.

Most of the Astronauts lived in the rural Seabrook and LaPort area. And my Grandmother was living in LaPort at the time. The prominent people lived in the Seabrook area to be away from the busy city life.

The bank furnished the bills, some of then signed, and handed out to important people, others were signed at functions that my Grandmother had attended.

The astronauts, and their wives, were the parents of my classmates, elementary through high school... well, I don't want to do any "name dropping", so I'll stop there.

posted 07-30-2010 07:09 PM               

Google the names metioned above, and you will come across a book written by Jackie Greer, Vermelle Catheys friend, called "Life Always Begins."

In that book is a passage about Albert Cleere, and being the president of the First National Bank, and moving to Harrisburg Bank.

posted 07-30-2010 10:23 PM               

Quality photos and scans to come, I promise.

A photo of the Apollo 10 vehicle launching, with the words "To Vermelle Cathey, best wishes -from- The Apollo X Crew. Tom Stafford, Cdr.

posted 08-01-2010 05:54 PM               

The wife is still deciding on whether or not to sell. These were handed down by her Grandmother who passed a few years ago. And is now getting sentimenal.

Photos and scans will still be posted, despite her decision.

posted 08-09-2010 06:17 PM               

My wife wishes to sell these as a complete collection, so long as the sale is a reasonable price. Otherwise, they will be retained for appreciable value.

Provenance has been solidly established, and possibly two LOAs (at least one) will accompany the sale.

posted 08-09-2010 08:41 PM               

1. My wife's indecision made this drawn out. These are inherited items from a much loved grandmother, so not easily parted with.
   
2. Having the documentation notarized and brokered through an attorney seems safe enough. You're not soliciting Western Union transfers from Africa are you?
   
3. These don't have to be sold, as we're not in dire straits.
   
4. These are collectible items, and will appreciate in value. Based on my research, estimates, and input from "connected parties," the price is slightly above par for the lower value of these items.

posted 08-09-2010 09:10 PM               

1. I understand that. That's why I believe if you are not 100% sure on this and they have been passed down in the family, maybe they should stay in the family.

2. I don't understand the Africa reference, but an attorney can't really say if an item is authentic or not unless he is an astronaut autograph certifier. Big time auction houses have stated items as authentic when they are not.

3. If these don't have to be sold and you are just looking for opinions on value and authenticity, this thread is in the wrong forum.

4. Of course they will appreciate in value, I am not saying otherwise.

But as I stated in my previous post, some people may offer you $5k for it and others may offer you $1k and others may offer $10k. In this hobby, just like any other, prices fluctuate day to day and you may not always be satisfied with that you get when it's all said and done (especially if you are not 100% sure on giving them up).

posted 08-10-2010 12:50 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by wetherby1:
For the record, We've been offered ~5k for one set, but wish to sell the whole collection as one.

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While you are certainly free to part with these bills as you see fit, I would recommend not selling the entire collection as a whole...as you'll most likely get less money in total. The bills, sold in sets of 6 (or individually) are more likely to help you get the most money.

posted 08-10-2010 02:01 AM               

Only a dealer would be able to make the purchase and they would be forced to pay signifcantly less than the going rate per car in order to be able to make a profit when selling them on.

The situation is much the same with these three sets of signed bills.

Since you've stated they don't have to be sold, that they should appreciate in value as investments, and that they have some strong sentimental value for your wife, the most obvious answer seems to be to keep two sets for now (for sentimental reasons and/or as an investment) and to sell one.

posted 08-10-2010 06:03 AM               

I made the point to the wife last night. Ultimately, it's her decision. I'm ready to put this mess to rest.

I'll wait for the results of the appraisal, then post the results. So far, the estimate has been on par with my research, with a value of $6k-$10k per set.

posted 08-25-2010 08:14 PM               

One offer has been made for the entire collection, several offers for one of the three sets. And one response received so far.

If the entire collection is not sold, only sets will be sold. Responses to offers will be expedited from here forward, discreetly.

FYI, the appraisal was incomplete (my error), and barely came close to the first offer received for a set. And is currently being re-submitted for the entire collection. This will be quite expensive, and Sharon and I would like to avoid the extra expense. However, our request is slightly above the lowest offer thus far.

Curious enough though, I was told this about the history of signed notes amongst astronauts and pre-NASA test pilots...

The genre is said to have started as a drinking device -- if you didn't bring a fellow-astronaut-signed dollar to the bar, the drinks were on you.