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Author
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Topic: Value: inscribed vs. uninscribed autographs
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marc515
Member Posts: 136
From: Brick, NJ, USA
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 10-31-2009 11:10 AM
   
Is a straight autograph worth more than an autograph with something written with it, like "Apollo XI, First Lunar Landing, etc"? |
Bob M
Member Posts: 1745
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 10-31-2009 03:13 PM
When I send off a request for an astronaut's autograph, I always ask that they add something in addition to their autograph, such as "NASA Astronaut/Class of 2000," or "Apollo 15 CMP." Receiving just an autograph with nothing added is fine, but it's always a bonus to me when an astronaut adds an inscription, such as his flight(s). Would Buzz Aldrin's autograph be worth more with "Apollo XI LMP" added, for example? I'd sure think so, and I'd also think that most collectors would prefer some inscription be added relating to the astronaut's career, rather than just a simple signature. But many collectors draw the line when it comes to personalizations, either in their name or someone else's - but that's another story. |
cjh5801
Member Posts: 185
From: Lacey
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted 11-01-2009 05:44 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Bob M:
...But many collectors draw the line when it comes to personalizations, either in their name or someone else's - but that's another story.
True enough, but when I recently added a Neil Armstrong autograph to my collection, I purposely decided to search out a fine example that had been personalized to someone. Armstrong has a rather distinctive style in his inscriptions, and it gave me added confidence that I wasn't buying a forgery by carefully noting his familiar style in the inscription to the previous owner. |
Henk Boshuijer
Member Posts: 450
From: Netherlands
Registered: May 2007
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posted 11-01-2009 06:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Bob M:
But many collectors draw the line when it comes to personalizations, either in their name or someone else's - but that's another story.
I always prefer to have my items being personalized. I ask for personalizations because I find it an honour that an astronaut takes the time to reply to my request. In short; The astronauts autograph is of great value to me personally. I really like my name on the astronauts picture. I don't care whether this influences the value of the autograph. I want the autograph because I am a space fan, not because I want to sell the items in the future for the highest price. |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 11-01-2009 09:33 PM
I agree 100% with Henk. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 11-02-2009 11:33 AM
IMHO I generally concur with Bob and Henk. For many years I usually asked for a dedication or inscription when asking for signed photos through the mail long before Autographica, Spacefest and the like.30 years ago Deke Slayton sent me 3 signed WSS lithos of himself. One was inscribed to me the others were not; some years later I kept the inscribed example and sold the others on. But in recent years I have become more conscious of what my collection may be worth to my wife and kids when my time comes. Whether we like it or not uninscribed is typically more "commercial" than inscribed; you only have to look at the value of uninscribed/inscribed Armstrong WSS lithos for example. That is why I have tended to collect uninscribed signatures in recent years. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 11-02-2009 02:38 PM
The original question was about inscriptions rather than personalizations. I'd agree with Bob that some kind of inscription is usually appealing on a signed piece.I have seen cases of excessive or unnecessary inscriptions from time-to-time though which to me have detracted from the overall appeal of a piece. The typical example is something originally signed by Neil Armstrong with Aldrin and Collins added at modern events. The temptation is to add inscriptions for the extra signatures but given that the Amrstrong signature is usually without inscription the end result looks all wrong to me. You often end up with a classic, neat Armstrong signature overshadowed by Buzz Aldrin "APOLLO XI LMP" and Mike Collins "APOLLO XI CMP", which to me look completely out of place. The other inscription that makes me wince is Buzz Aldrin "MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION". It's okay on a photograph of the lunar surface but out of context - e.g on a WSS portrait - it looks daft. |
Bob M
Member Posts: 1745
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 11-03-2009 08:29 AM
Here's my take on all this -It looks like that many collectors prefer personalizations with autographs, especially to them. But others wouldn't accept autographs personalized to anyone but themselves. Others want only a signature - nothing more. As has been mentioned, extra handwriting along with an autograph (such as a personalization) can provide "evidence" to help determine authenticity. What do I prefer? I prefer something written by the astronaut along with his autograph, be it a personalization (to anyone) or his flight designation (although I'd prefer only his flight designation). I'm very happy to have an astronaut add, "To Bob," along with his autograph to me. And for the rarer and more forged astronaut autographs, such as Armstrong, Grissom, Anders, Collins, etc., I would generally want something personalized to anyone. IMO, it can be risky to buy rarer and more valuable autographs that have nothing but a simple signature. As far as a personal recommendation, I would greatly advise that collectors generally buy only Armstrong WSSs that are personalized. There are plenty and the occasional fake Armstrong personalized WSS is usually easy to spot. |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 11-03-2009 08:54 AM
It's what the person who wants to purchase it wants. I would love to buy an autograph addressed to my name for some people, yet there are others I would only consider buying non-personalized.It seems your question is how to maximize potential value of an autograph you'd get. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, some want it personalized, others for future generations of their kin probably want it non-personalized... How long do you plan on living or how much you want to leave to your children? Clearly most Apollo astronauts are cashing in big time realizing they have few years left and want to live better in their final years by charging steep prices for their autographs, others remember what a joy it was to receive an autograph in their childhood or early adulthood. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 11-03-2009 12:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Wehaveliftoff:
Clearly most Apollo astronauts are cashing in big time realizing they have few years left and want to live better in their final years by charging steep prices for their autographs, others remember what a joy it was to receive an autograph in their childhood or early adulthood.
For some, you may be right regarding "cashing in big time". I get the feeling from talking to some of these guys that the higher prices have the added effect of limiting how many things they have to sign at a given event. There is probably a price where a given astronaut could earn more money (due to volume) by charging less, but to do so they would have to sign 10 times as many items. Instead, they keep the price at or above the going rate for the signature, thereby allowing them to participate in events without having to sign a stack of 50 8x10's for someone.Of course, that has nothing to do with inscribed vs uninscribed, but I can say that more than one of these guys has said that they are stunned by how many folks will pay as much as they do AND thank the astronaut for coming to the event! ------------------
John Capobianco
Camden DE |
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