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  Advice on huge collection of space mission charts

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Author Topic:   Advice on huge collection of space mission charts
Jcwood
New Member

Posts: 6
From: St. Charles, MO USA
Registered: Jul 2014

posted 07-08-2014 05:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jcwood   Click Here to Email Jcwood     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I recently bought a large collection of Apollo, Gemini, and Mercury charts from the estate of a man who retired as the assistant director of The Aeronautical Charts and Information Center (ACIC). To be honest, I am a bit overwhelmed. I have spent at least 12 hours taking pictures and cataloging what I have. Some of them I cannot find examples of online. For example,
  • Experimental Lunar Surface Exploration Chart (1968)
  • Mars Planning Chart (1, 2, 3 of 3 - 1968)
  • Experimental Gemini Plotting Chart, etc.
Has anyone seen examples of these? I have 80-100 charts. I would be happy to post a list or pictures. I am trying to decide the best way to sell them (individually, as a collection, eBay, public auction, etc.) Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time. I don't really know where to start.

chet
Member

Posts: 1506
From: Beverly Hills, Calif.
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 07-09-2014 12:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for chet   Click Here to Email chet     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sounds like a great collection. You would certainly get a greater return for them by breaking them down by category and then offering them as grouped lots. Of course it'd be easier to better know what you have by posting some pictures.

Jcwood
New Member

Posts: 6
From: St. Charles, MO USA
Registered: Jul 2014

posted 07-09-2014 05:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jcwood   Click Here to Email Jcwood     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for your response Chet. Appreciate the advice. I put this together today. You can go here to view all the charts. I think there are about 290 pics.

I still have a few more that I need to add to this site. On average there are three pictures per chart/photo. One of entire chart, one of chart explanation, and one regarding info of who made it and when. Some required more photos.

Many of them are quite large. I stood on a ladder to get the full shots of each chart. There are only a couple of duplicates.

Thank you for looking, and any information or opinions are certainly welcome. I will be putting most of them up for sale once I determine the best way to do so. (I'm keeping a few.) Thank you for your help!

space1
Member

Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 07-09-2014 07:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for space1   Click Here to Email space1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for uploading so many images. It really gives us a chance for a good evaluation.

I think the Apollo related charts would have the most interest among collectors. I think it might be best to combine a given set of charts into a group (the maps with titles including sheet numbers, such as sheet 2 of 3) from a particular mission. I noticed a few missions in my quick look. Of the ones I saw I would think the Apollo 13 and Apollo 8 missions would have the most interest. The Apollo Earth Orbit Charts would also be of interest.

The Mars charts are of less interest given the more recent major advancements in Mars exploration. They would have some historical interest but not as much as the manned missions.

The charts showing the moon which are not connected to the Apollo missions I think would also have less collector value. On the other hand some of them would perhaps make interesting framed displays. Those images could be grouped into a few sets for sale.

The charts related to specific locations (air base, etc.) would perhaps only be of local interest.

I think many of us would agree that RR Auction is a good choice for selling the charts. They have frequent autograph auctions, as well as spring and fall space auctions. Their staff is great to work with and they attract quality bidders.

------------------
John Fongheiser
Historic Space Systems

chet
Member

Posts: 1506
From: Beverly Hills, Calif.
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 07-09-2014 07:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for chet   Click Here to Email chet     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I agree with John that by putting some of them up for auction with a house that attracts many bidders, like RR, would maximize the chance of seeing their best market values realized.

Another consideration might be a house that would run an auction specifically for items like maps, navigational charts and other items pertaining to exploration. Just another idea.

Jcwood
New Member

Posts: 6
From: St. Charles, MO USA
Registered: Jul 2014

posted 07-09-2014 07:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jcwood   Click Here to Email Jcwood     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Awesome information John. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. I have been referred to RR by a couple of people, but the seller's premium frightens me, and I don't know everything involved, having never consigned with an auction house before.

I considered eBay because of the lower premium but am afraid I wouldn't reach as many collectors and there are some shady sellers on there that have turned collectors sour from what I have read in the forum. Thanks again, I'm a little out of familiar territory with these, I appreciate it.

stsmithva
Member

Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 07-09-2014 07:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for stsmithva   Click Here to Email stsmithva     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Most of them are Earth orbit and lunar orbit charts for Apollo missions. They're interesting and attractive, and usually sell for $50 to $150 on eBay. (Apollo 11 sells for more, but the ones I saw were for 10, 12, and 13 - maybe I missed some.) The Apollo 13 LM ascent charts are interesting, since they are for something that ended up not happening.

Then there are NASA-LRC Lunar Orbiter Project pictures. Those are great - I believe they were made by assembling strips of photos into large images. Coincidentally, several just sold on eBay for $49 to $300. Most of the higher-priced ones showed a view at an angle from above, not just straight down. Several of yours are like that. — Steve

(On edit: If my post sounds like I'm repeating info from some of the above detailed posts, it's because I was looking through the photos at the same time they were being written.)

space1
Member

Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 07-09-2014 08:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for space1   Click Here to Email space1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have found eBay less appealing in recent years. There are so many lots that just keep appearing for months or even years, which I think cheapens the "brand."

Working with an auction house may seem intimidating, but I have found the experience to be mostly positive. And of the ones I have worked with I found RR to be the most attentive and overall the best to work with. Your lots get good exposure, the payment is on time, and deliveries are prompt.

Jcwood
New Member

Posts: 6
From: St. Charles, MO USA
Registered: Jul 2014

posted 07-09-2014 08:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jcwood   Click Here to Email Jcwood     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
John, one of the NASA LRC Orbiter III photos I have has scotch tape assembling (I believe 4) smaller pics. The first one of those in the gallery. They are all printed on heavy poster board stock and have rubber stamped dates on the back.

Seeing as they came from the ACIC could this one have been a rough draft or original used to create the others? Thoughts?

Also I have a number of charts that still have "printers marks" and at least one that is an uncut sheet showing two of the same chart on one large sheet. What do you think? Thanks again I promise I won't ask you a million questions and monopolize your time.

Jcwood
New Member

Posts: 6
From: St. Charles, MO USA
Registered: Jul 2014

posted 07-09-2014 08:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jcwood   Click Here to Email Jcwood     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you all so much for your info. It is appreciated more than you know.

space1
Member

Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 07-10-2014 05:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for space1   Click Here to Email space1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I really don't know what to say regarding those unusual charts. The one taped together mounted on thicker board perhaps was for a presentation or for display. But your idea that it may have been an original for copying is also possible. I am no expert on these types of charts, although I have a few of the Apollo mission charts.

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