posted 01-24-2006 08:44 PM               

I've been collecting space memorabilia for over three years and I guess I've now graduated. I'm certainly no expert... Rob, Larry, Gerry, Bob, Ken, Leon, Kim, and many, many more certainly know a lot more than I.

But I thought I'd make an effort to give some advice to the new newbies. If I were starting all over and had a budget to spend, say a thousand dollars, what would I spend it on?

I'm sure everybody would have their own list... and I for one would be interested in knowing what others would come up with. Would you pick one great item... or 50 smaller items? All autographs? or maybe flown items?

If you'd like to see my recommendations I put together a quick little website this evening...

posted 01-24-2006 09:33 PM               

Take a drive to Franklin Institute in Philly when they have an astronaut at the planetarium. You'll also get to see a mockup LEM.

Spend three days minimum in Washington, DC, to see NASM and the annex where Enteprise is. If you plan right, you'll be able to meet an astronaut for the price of their book. Go when Congress is in session and you may be able to have coffee with Bill Nelson, or hang out in the hallways for a chance to meet other astronauts when they're either being confirmed or testifying.

With the exception of travel expenses, those are either free or at low-cost. For items to buy, based on my experience and collection:

Seeds flown on Challenger and Columbia, for a reminder of both shuttles;

Space Shuttle: The History of the National Space Transportation System and Space Shuttle: The First 20 Years - a technical and a picture book with easy text on shuttle, if limited to two books;

Who's Who In Space - would be nice if this were updated, but a good look into the men and women who've flown or trained to fly in space;

Apollo: The Epic Journey to the Moon;

posted 01-24-2006 11:12 PM               

One inexpensive item that new collectors might be interested in is the flown film lucites from Grissom's Mercury mission. At around $65 they are a bargain.

Thanks for posting it. Now I know who has so many of the items I've bid on and lost over the years!

posted 01-25-2006 02:57 AM               

I started back in 1976 with books and photos of the unmanned space missions (Mariner, Viking, Voyager, etc.) and only started to collect both Soviet and NASA crew photos since STS-1 in 1981. Twenty years later and having almost every crew photo, the focus has returned to unmanned space missions as we live in a very interesting time with awesome missions to Mars, Saturn and Pluto!

posted 01-25-2006 06:07 AM               

Sure everybody has different ideas of what they want, but Noah's blogsite provides a broad range of samples of collectibles to give a novice collector an idea what is available.

Once someone gets into the hobby in a general way, then they will start to focus on what they really like.

posted 01-25-2006 07:53 AM               

I really like Ed's paintings. They have a stark realism that in my opinion is missing from even lunar surface photos.

posted 01-25-2006 09:07 AM               

The website is a real tribute to why we collect.

My $1000 would be spent on astronuat autographed books. Although I am a space patch collector first, I love to read and share the astronauts experiences through their own words and recollections.

The National Air & Space Museum is a great suggestion. If you have a contact with a congressmen you can also get a special tour at their facility for restoration of museum artifacts. This is the place where they get items ready for display in the museum and to preserve what they have. In 1997 I had just such an opportunity arranged and by the chief of staff of my state congressman while in Washington.

posted 01-25-2006 12:52 PM               

As someone who is relatively new to collecting, one suggestion I would make to fellow newbies is to pick a "theme" (or two or three) early in the collecting process and set goals for your collection. It doesn't hurt to have goals that are a little beyond your means at this point, since it'll give you pleasure to slowly work towards fulfilling that goal. The reward isn't meeting that goal, it's the collecting that happens along the way.

Numerous times I've been tempted to buy items outside of my collecting themes. Sometimes I do, if the item it too good to pass up or I like the item too much (after all, collect what you like), but often I stick with my themes and am thankful for it.

Also, new collectors should collect what inspires them... something they'll enjoy looking at and will appreciate for years to come. It's easy to fall into a trap of wanting an item just to fill a void, but it can then be an empty reward once you've filled that void if the item itself doesn't inspire you.

When writing to astronauts, pick ones that personally have inspired you and whom you admire. Don't write just for an autograph to fill a void.

Here are a couple other possible items new collectors should consider:

1. Books. Reading about the history of space travel is the next best thing to experiencing it. One need not necessarily collect autographed books either, although that can be fun too. I'd recommend Chaikin's book for starters.

posted 01-26-2006 07:20 AM               

Another inexpensive idea that falls into place with visiting museums and talks by astronauts is to have your picture taken with the astronauts. I then get the photo blown up to 8 x 10 and the astronauts usually don't mind signing them if you see them again.

Isn't it neat that we are all shaing a fun hobby?

posted 01-27-2006 02:11 AM               

Hmm -- 1000.00?

I think media upgrades would be in order for this Girl Geek. I don't mind shopping for gently used -- more for the money!

Toss old VHS tapes for these DVDs: "From the Earth to the Moon," "Cosmos," and "Earth verses The Flying Saucers". Factual to corny, I love this stuff! It's great for the LONG wet winters here in Washington.

Happily for my budget, my roomie has a 56" Theaterwide Toshibia with Dolby Surround to play these goodies on. So 100.00 on DVDs.

Butt -- I haven't seen a launch personally!

Yes, I spelled it right. I would like to have a Munchkin sized recliner with the new "Buttkicker" LFE (low frequency effect) transducer kit installed in it. Google the name and see what I mean -- How could you watch another launch on NASA TV without it? They even use it on the "Mission Space" ride at Epcot! I figure this chair and effects kit will run me about 700.00.

Beer and pizza for the viewing party -- 50.00. No charge to touch the chair.

Okay -- 150.00 to go --

Well, what can I say -- I'd go on ebay! I'm sure there is something their my varied collection can't live without within my price range! I think a nice meteorite would be in my future but you never know!

posted 01-01-2008 02:13 PM               

I'm a bit new here to the collectSPACE community and have a question or two. I've been a long time space fan, but only recently started collecting, so I'm not sure if I have a specialty area as of yet. I just came into a little disposable cash and was wondering what would be a good buy for about the $400 I have to spend.

Right now I'm looking at purchasing either a Judy Resnik 8x10 or purchasing a membership into the Astronaut Autograph Club. I'd like to add some female astronauts to the collection and thought she'd be good place to start. The AAC would be a good way of building up my collection too though. I was also thinking of getting a John Young.

Right now, I have in the collection a Skylab 3 first day envelope, a Harrison Schmidt 8x10, a Pete Conrad Gemini XI 16x20, and a Lovell and Haise 8x10. I'd like to start and getting some shuttle 'graphs and collectibles now. Any suggestions? I try to avoid Ebay, but is there anything else I should look out for? What else should a newbie be looking for?

posted 01-01-2008 03:08 PM               

quote:

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Now go visit some museums... the National Air and Space Museum or the Cosmosphere in Kansas. Go see the next Shuttle launch.

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posted 01-01-2008 04:22 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by bsbounds:
Hello, I'm a bit new here to the collectSPACE community and have a question or two. I've been a long time space fan, but only recently started collecting...

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If you want 'em, send me an email and I'll reply with my snail-mail.

posted 01-05-2008 09:32 PM               

Nice collection indeed. I was wondering, how were you able to obtain the entire Fliteline medallions set?

Let us know.

posted 01-06-2008 07:06 AM               

I have only seen three of these sets come onto the market since I began collecting six years ago. All popped onto the market within a six month period (two at auction houses and one on eBay) and then they were gone. I understand that Jim Lovell's piece is now on display at the Adler Museum in Chicago.

It is my understanding that the Gemini astronauts each contributed 25 of their best flown medallions towards putting these pieces together. Each of the astronauts was then given one presentation leaving just a few for presentation to a select few. I've heard that President Johnson received one.

They are striking... to be able to view the entire Gemini program in one hand is very powerful... one of the best eBay purchases I ever made.

posted 01-06-2008 08:36 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by bsbounds:
I'm a bit new here to the collectSPACE community and have a question or two.

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posted 02-10-2008 07:36 AM               

I'm not certain exactly how long ago this site was posted, but upon visiting it this morning I realized how much had changed in such a short time. So, I have added an Editor's note at the end saying...

quote:

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A lot has changed in the world of space collecting since I first created this site.

Opportunities to encounter the heroes of the space race have increased thanks in great part to a second "gathering"... SpaceFest.

Sadly an opportunity to meet one of the "true greats" is now gone with the passing of Wally Schirra. If you have yet to attend any of the gatherings and meet these legends, don't delay.

There has also been some price increases. If you put together a collection like this one at the time of this posting, congratulations! ...you not only have a great set... but you made a wise investment. If you procrastinated, keep in mind that there are still plenty of great items out there that offer tremendous value, so get started today!

Some price increases that I've seen in this set are... One of the Apollo 15 pencil lead displays sold at auction for $750, up from $20 (wow), the Liberty Bell lucites now routinely sell for around $500 (up from $200), the Neil Armstrong signed Sieger stamp now brings $700 (up from $400)... So, our collection has, in just a short time, doubled in value. Not bad.

Noah Bradley

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posted 02-10-2008 08:04 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by mensax:
...the Liberty Bell lucites now routinely sell for around $500 (up from $200)

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posted 02-10-2008 08:22 AM               

The large LB7 lucites were sold at $450 during their initial offering from the Cosmosphere. I sold mine over a year ago at $750.

There were two other sizes sold. The smallest one being $150 and the midsized one for $250. Those are selling at $400 or $500 on eBay when you can find them.

The question is how will this hobby change in the coming year?