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  EB: Paul van Hoeydonck's 'Fallen Astronaut'

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Author Topic:   EB: Paul van Hoeydonck's 'Fallen Astronaut'
Nickphatch
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Posts: 4
From: Norwalk, CT
Registered: May 2015

posted 05-16-2015 10:26 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nickphatch   Click Here to Email Nickphatch     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have one of Paul Van Hoeydonck's original "Fallen Astronaut" reproductions. It is from the original limited edition of 950 released from the Waddell gallery in 1972.

This one is number 200 and was purchased by my grandfather directly from the gallery. It comes with original receipt. If anyone has any questions/interest feel free to email me directly.

It is for sale here on eBay.

More can be read about the Fallen Astronaut in a wonderful article by Slate.

cfreeze79
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Posts: 466
From: Herndon, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 05-17-2015 08:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cfreeze79   Click Here to Email cfreeze79     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Um - I was under the impression none of these were actually sold to the public... The Slate article you cite even states such.

stsmithva
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From: Fairfax, VA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 05-17-2015 08:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for stsmithva   Click Here to Email stsmithva     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Interesting. At least some replicas were made in the spring of 1972, and they were advertised for sale before the project was shut down in September. The receipt is dated July 1972. Yet I couldn't find any other mention of any sales of such replicas sold in 1972. Has anyone else?

Robert Pearlman
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From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 05-17-2015 09:18 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As of September 1972, in its official release about "unauthorized items" carried on Apollo 15, NASA describes the replicas but does not mention them being pulled from sale:
In May 1972, Scott learned that further replicas of the statuette might be offered for sale. He wrote Van Hoeydonck asking him to check on this rumor. In his response, Van Hoeydonck confirmed that replicas were intended for sale and indicated that he felt no constraints or restrictions in this matter. The Apollo 15 crew strongly disagree with this position, feeling that their solemn understanding with Van Hoeydonck prohibits any such commercialization.

The 950 replicas of the "Fallen Astronaut" figurine signed by the sculptor have been advertised for sale by the Waddell Gallery of New York at a price of $750 apiece.

Nickphatch
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From: Norwalk, CT
Registered: May 2015

posted 05-17-2015 02:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nickphatch   Click Here to Email Nickphatch     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I do not know the specifics about how many were sold or what the true story is behind their sale. I have heard that only 50 were made of a 950 Limited Edition but my piece is number 200. I have heard elsewhere that around 50 were sold publicly and then post "shut down" of their sale they were sold privately to collectors in a sort of covert way.

My grandfather owned this piece and was a New Yorker. He collected many different items, many of which were space items. Last year in late August I sold 'A Piece of Apollo 11' which was a little clipboard top with a NASA serial number that flew on the mission.

What I would like to stress is that whatever the story is behind the actual number of the supposed "Limited Edition", this piece was without a doubt purchased from the Waddell gallery in 1972 by my grandfather. His name was James T. Phillips and if anyone would like to read his obituary you can do so, here.

I am thinking that I will bring this item to auction on eBay tomorrow with a starting price of $2,850 which so far is the highest offer I have received.

Dirk
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From: Belgium
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 05-17-2015 02:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dirk   Click Here to Email Dirk     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I wrote several to times to Paul Van Hoeydonck and he had signed several items for me. This original statues are given away:
  • Moon, Smithsonian, King of Belgium, Museum Ostend, Restany Vesuvius, one in his possession
  • of the other 50 he let made, all are in his possession, unsigned, of which one is loaned to the Space Center Redu (Belgium), one at the Flemish Parliament and one is sold to a certain Mr. Fonck.

Nickphatch
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From: Norwalk, CT
Registered: May 2015

posted 05-18-2015 11:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nickphatch   Click Here to Email Nickphatch     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't really know what to say. I don't want to call Mr. Hoeydonck out but some clearly were sold. All I can say is that my grandfather definitely purchased this item from the Waddell and that it is definitely signed by Mr. Hoeydonck.

cfreeze79
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Posts: 466
From: Herndon, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 05-19-2015 04:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for cfreeze79   Click Here to Email cfreeze79     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You know, there is something not quite right here.

To me, if the artist has publicly accounted for all the specimens, and you claim the contrary (and have evidence backing such), I think that matter needs to be resolved prior to any serious buyers entering the market on this.

I mean, stranger things have happened. For all you know, this may be the only one in private hands, and you aren't asking enough (nor is eBay the proper venue for such as sale)!

Just my two cents... I think, one way or the other, you need to talk with the artist. It could likely be worth your while.

Nickphatch
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From: Norwalk, CT
Registered: May 2015

posted 05-20-2015 12:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nickphatch   Click Here to Email Nickphatch     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You actually have a point. I may want to wait a little while... for all you know I may have the only one... I was contacted by a representative for Mr. Hoeydonck the other day and was told to hold off on selling it. This is rather interesting.

cfreeze79
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Posts: 466
From: Herndon, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 03-10-2016 03:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for cfreeze79   Click Here to Email cfreeze79     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Any update to this thread? The story was getting to be VERY interesting!

Rick Mulheirn
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From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 03-10-2016 07:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The manufacturer of the original figure and the limited edition replicas refused to respond to my enquiries about the eBay find or the original planned replicas. And the artist himself dismissed the eBay piece as fake, before launching his own investigation into how this piece found its way to market.

It beggars the question, why investigate if the piece is fake? I have not heard what if anything Paul's investigations turned up.

The whole saga of the replica "Fallen Astronaut" figurines is mired in intrigue. I don't doubt for one moment Paul's recollection of events as they were told to him at the time but I strongly suspect he was not told everything.

It would appear at least some of the replicas were produced. The gallery owner that commissioned the pieces was in financial difficulty, suffering from depression and from memory... was going through a divorce at the time of the controversy.

Under the circumstances I can see why he may have been tempted to discreetly sell some of the replicas.

Philip
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From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 03-11-2016 08:23 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
FYI: There are some 3D printed replicas out there!

cfreeze79
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Posts: 466
From: Herndon, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 03-11-2016 08:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cfreeze79   Click Here to Email cfreeze79     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This all goes back to the "history is how I remember it" line — similar to the Carol Spinney/"Big Bird" flight. I don't doubt the person, but the complexities that are the human mind and memory, especially with time.

The more and more I have thought about this, the more I think the topic originator was holding on to a rare piece. The paperwork was exactly how it should have been, and the story, save the artist's assertions, passed "the smell test," in my opinion.

But, if the artist publicly nixes the possibility of it being genuine, it is tough to trump ('Drumpf' for the more pop-culture crowd ).

Would have loved to know the contents of that mid-May phone call between 'Nickphatch' and Hoeydonck's rep. But we can only speculate. Hopefully, more is revealed.

Rick Mulheirn
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From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 03-11-2016 09:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
For what it's worth, I asked both the artist and the manufacturer if the style of presentation, the box and the signed COA there in, were in keeping with the planned replicas. I'd imagine and expected a quick and easy reply; "yes" or "no". But neither would confirm nor deny.

And there is detail on the back of the piece that I don't think was previously in the public domain and therefore difficult to fake, but I could be wrong.

cfreeze79
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Posts: 466
From: Herndon, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 03-11-2016 12:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for cfreeze79   Click Here to Email cfreeze79     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am still wagering we have not heard the last on this. Methinks, given the Zietgiest then, a failing gallery owner could have easily sold a piece to a well-liked client, and the transaction been lost to memory until now.

It would be a lot easier to fake a WSS Armstrong for the same money than fake a piece of art like this, hence why I think it could very possibly be bonafide!

Rick Mulheirn
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Posts: 4417
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 03-11-2016 12:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Philip:
There are some 3D printed replicas out there!
You are quite right Philip. There are 3D replicas out there. Researching a piece about this eBay find for Spaceflight magazine last year I saw a variety of replicas from poor approximations, 3D printed replicas to at least one expensive and thoroughly researched copy. All had slight subtle variations from the original sufficient I think to enable me to tell a replica from an original.

I have seen the piece that triggered this thread and to my eye it has none of the subtle variations. If I was pressed I would say it is one of the Waddell Gallery replicas and the signed COA and supporting provenance serve only to reinforce that opinion.

Rick Mulheirn
Member

Posts: 4417
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 09-17-2018 02:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
When this eBay Fallen Astronaut find appeared in 2015, I sent details including close up photos to the artist Paul van Hoeydonck. His initial response was that the piece was fake. Not surprising really when one considers the unauthorized duplicates and copies that have cropped up over the years.

But there must have been something about this item that warranted further scrutiny as Paul and his partner then began an investigation in to the piece.

Three years have passed and following intensive research the artist has come back to me (via his partner Marleen) with some very interesting news.

The figure is indeed an original.

I’am happy to let you know that the replica you bought, seems to be an exact replica from the Fallen Astronaut. On the other hand it is not one of the limited edition, because they are engraved on the back as a multiple.
Interestingly they have seen one of the 950 limited edition replicas marked in this way: a sample produced to illustrate how the finished replicas would appear.

What's more, the box and the aluminium COA affixed inside the lid and signed by Paul van Hoeydonck are authentic too. Produced by the Waddell Gallery "The box and the certificate were meant to be for the multiples."

A note from Dick Waddell located in van Hoeydonck's archive indicates that he wanted Paul to "sign the certificates starting with the number 200". Furthermore the artist confirmed that the Waddell Gallery sold at least one of the figures. "The gallery had already an order. They sold one of the models. So you seem to have one of the models."

In short, the eBay find is not a fake. Paul van Hoeydonck believes this to be an artists original Fallen Astronaut figure: perhaps the Gallery's own example in one of the original boxes intended for the limited edition of 950.

An exciting find.

crash
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Posts: 339
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 09-17-2018 03:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for crash   Click Here to Email crash     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Truly the detective! Hope that he still has it. But I did pick up on Paul's words "I’am happy to let you know that the replica you bought" (sic). You?

If so April is just around the corner... auction item?

Rick Mulheirn
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Posts: 4417
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 09-17-2018 05:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Alas no crash. I am thinking of opening another branch of the Tate Modern instead. "Tate Collectspace"!

Rick Mulheirn
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Posts: 4417
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 10-20-2018 02:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Further to the confirmation that the "Fallen Astronaut" figure discovered on ebay in 2015 was authentic, Paul van Hoeydonck stated that to be 100% sure he would have to see the piece in person. I asked if I could visit and show him the piece and he graciously agreed.

I don't intend raking over the whole Fallen Astronaut saga: Danny van Hoecke wrote a terrific piece on the subject for the October 2015 edition of Spaceflight magazine.

For many years Paul looked upon the subject with mixed emotions. Pride on the one hand for the piece and what was accomplished. And anguish on the other for the unjustified criticism heaped on him when in 1972 plans were announced for a limited edition replica.

Such was the vitriol that Paul's reputation was tarnished and his career badly affected particularly in the US.

But ably supported by his wife Marleen, Paul has in recent years reconnected with the piece choosing to concentrate on the merits of the work, rightly pushing the criticism aside.

As one would expect, Paul and Marleen were a mine of information. During our four hour conversation many questions were answered and there were more than a few revelations. None of them were secrets per se, but out of respect to them both I'd prefer not to share at this time. Not least because they are working with a German company on a documentary about the figure due to be released in 2019.

While the documentary will concentrate on the figure itself, the ideas behind it and the development of the project as a whole they will take the opportunity to answer many of the questions that have circled the subject for so long, placing the controversy in context.

What I can say is that the eBay find is one of perhaps 4 or 5 prototypes (certainly fewer than 10) made in preparation for the limited edition. Identical to the flown figure the prototypes include only one complete limited edition figure, with its number and facsimile van Hoeydonck signature engraved on the reverse. The prototype figures along with the flown example were made in the US by the Milgo Bufkin company. It is also the only American made figure to have been sold though Marleen is continuing to search through archives as part of the new documentary.

Paul had 51 examples manufactured at a later date by a different company in Europe.

I would like to thank Paul and Marleen van Hoeydonck for the time, their kindness and generosity of spirit for which I will be forever grateful.

Philip
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From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 10-23-2018 02:28 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Great write up Rick. Last year, via Danny Van Hoecke, I also had the opportunity to meet Paul and Marleen and talking to them was a very interesting experience for sure!

Here's a "Fallen Astronaut" figurine I could hold in my hand. Art and spaceflight history, it doesn't get better than this!

NASAgoob
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From: Dallas, Texas, USA
Registered: Oct 2008

posted 12-30-2021 09:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NASAgoob   Click Here to Email NASAgoob     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Anyone know if the most recent version is available for purchase? Anyone want to sell? Thank you.

Aluminium in blauem Acrylglas
Format: 15 x 6 x 6 cm
Auflage: 1971 Exemplare

Rocket Chris
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From: Guttentag
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posted 12-31-2021 03:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rocket Chris   Click Here to Email Rocket Chris     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Have a look astroshopurania or Lumas.

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