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Author
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Topic: PFC Auctions: Flag recently signed by Armstrong
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moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 05-17-2012 02:56 PM
   
I see that the flag has currently 16 bids with £993 offered for it.One has to assume that the bidders aren't cS followers.  |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-17-2012 07:09 PM
Darn... how do I retract my bid? |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 05-17-2012 08:33 PM
You know, I hadn't thought of this, but ... since the item is a cloth flag, the signatures could easily have been traced on a light table.Great job getting to the bottom of this issue, Robert! |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 05-17-2012 11:27 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
Just last year we saw one example of Neil signing a tabletop (with photographic proof) using this signature style.
Did I miss this? Where is this available for viewing?
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-17-2012 11:39 PM
The signed table was discussed here. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-18-2012 06:18 AM
The flag has been withdrawn from the auction. PFC Auctions responded to my e-mail, thanking the cS readers and members for their efforts. |
Besixdouze
Member Posts: 235
From: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 05-18-2012 06:20 AM
I see this item has now been withdrawn from the auction catalogue presumably due to the due diligence shown by members of this forum. It makes me wonder how much research the auction houses actually do in order to verify the authenticity of their offerings. At least this time someone has been saved from throwing their hard earned cash away. Well done to all who had a hand in this. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 05-18-2012 07:03 AM
So ... how long until that flag shows up on eBay?  |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 05-18-2012 10:18 AM
I notice that for those disappointed at not being able to buy the 'flag', one can have a 1969 menu signed by Armstrong and Collins for £650 or an Aldrin signed book for £350 from the same auction house. |
p51
Member Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 05-18-2012 05:15 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:
So we've gone from "conduct unbecoming" to simply fraud.
Well, if it can be traced back to someone in the military trying to pawn this thing off, now THAT could lead to some matter with JAG if someone wanted to push it (mind you, you'd have to make a hobby out of this case for a while to smite the wrongdoers). |
Daugherty54
Member Posts: 591
From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 05-18-2012 06:19 PM
Personally, knowing Armstrong's aversion to profiting from his autograph, I feel this is in poor taste to resell for a profit. Dang, I'd give anything to meet the guy and get my picture taken with him. It just makes it harder and harder to justify asking him for anything. After 43 years I'd be pretty tired of signing thousands of items stuck in front of me. I am grateful for the respect he shows our military. Just more proof of what a class act Neil Armstrong is. |
Kevin Carrico
Member Posts: 70
From: Salina, Kansas, USA
Registered: May 2004
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posted 05-20-2012 12:37 PM
My initial suspicion on the authenticity of this flag-signed item stemmed from the fact that historically, Neil Armstrong has respected the United States Flag by not signing over it on his White Space Suit pose. I believe this was confirmed by Armstrong's office. That is not to say he might not make an exception and sign an actual U.S. Flag, but a collector should keep this in mind when analyzing any flag signed item for sale. |
Dougin SoCA
Member Posts: 111
From: Aliso Viejo, Ca, USA
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 05-21-2012 02:49 PM
From what Robert was able to find out, if the person who tried to offer this is an active serviceman, I hope there is some sort of justice that takes place. My son is currently serving as a Staff Sergeant in the USAF, and I know that he has a very high level of respect for his country and position. This is not the actions of an honorable soldier. |
thump
Member Posts: 575
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 05-22-2012 11:27 AM
For what it's worth, this same auction house is trying to sell a vial of blood reported to be from Ronald Reagan, from after the assassination attempt... |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 05-22-2012 01:17 PM
So there's the possibility of a cloned Reagan back in the White House. Sounds like one of Baldrick's cunning plans On edit - the current bid for the Armstrong signed menu is £715. Wonder if this is a genuine autograph! |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-23-2012 11:06 AM
quote:
Originally posted by thump:
For what it's worth, this same auction house is trying to sell a vial of blood reported to be from Ronald Reagan, from after the assassination attempt...
And they have a specialised section to the catalogue on "Famous Hair". Hate to think what DNA-containing body part/fluid someone will come up with to sell next.  |
Dougin SoCA
Member Posts: 111
From: Aliso Viejo, Ca, USA
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 05-23-2012 03:17 PM
I guess I missed a great opportunity when I didn't name my kids "Neil Armstrong", "Gus Grissom", and " Marilyn Monroe". I could have had them signing their autographs on all sorts of things legally, sold their hair, used clothes, and baby teeth, and with the right auction houses, and could have retired when I was only 50. |
YankeeClipper
Member Posts: 617
From: Dublin, Ireland
Registered: Mar 2011
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posted 05-23-2012 10:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:
Hate to think what DNA-containing body part/fluid someone will come up with to sell next.
RR Space Auction September 2011 Lot 477 Apollo 11 Post Flight Waste Tank - A sample of waste water taken from the Apollo 11 CM. The liquid was declared by the consignor to be condensation formed by the astronauts' breathing and retrieved by a NASA technician from the Apollo 11 waste tank. Also, wasn't there somebody on eBay in the past year trying to sell a half-drunk bottle of water that Fred Haise had used at a lecture? I'm sure you could get a saliva/buccal cell DNA-hit off of it if you close your eyes and pray to Apollo. Allegedly drinking this sort of stuff makes you immortal, faster than Mach 25, and impervious to the flaming heat of entry. Nectar of the Gods!  |
YankeeClipper
Member Posts: 617
From: Dublin, Ireland
Registered: Mar 2011
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posted 05-23-2012 11:26 PM
I couldn't remember whether the Apollo 11 waste water sold or not ... so I checked.$1,694.40 Now I'm wondering what does a connoisseur do with such a magnificent specimen? Does the aroma/bouquet complement the wonderful 1970 Vintage Haise's Dehydrated Potato Soup (Lot 1235 Bonhams Apr 2012) ? Or should it be solely reserved to accompany the delightful 1972 Duke's Cheddar Cheese Crackers (Lot 1278 Bonhams Apr 2012) ? At $5000 for the crackers, this requires some careful deliberation! |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-24-2012 02:43 PM
Looks like PFC will need to do a bit more due diligence next time they hold an auction. Two major screw-ups in one auction is not good publicity.The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation had expressed outrage over the auction, in which bidding had reached over $30,000 (£19,000). Guernsey-based PFC Auctions said in a statement that the vial would now be donated to the Reagan foundation. |
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