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Author
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Topic: Opinions on Bill Anders-signed Earthrise photo?
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astrobock
Member Posts: 150
From: WV, USA
Registered: Sep 2006
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posted 07-13-2014 04:24 PM
   
Earlier this year I took a chance on what appears to me to be a Bill Anders signed Apollo 8 Earthrise photo. It was signed with a water based felt marker. I'm thinking of sending this photo to the planned Novaspace August 2014 Borman and Lovell signings. I sent this to Steve Zarelli to analyze and he said it's probably okay and couldn't find anything wrong with it, but he was not able to make a definitive decision due to lack of data to analyze with there just being And---. I'm writing to get opinions from this group if I should proceed sending it to Novaspace or not. Thank you for taking the time to comment.  |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1236
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 07-13-2014 04:57 PM
Anders' signature is probably the most problematic of all the Apollo astronauts - almost as if he had different styles just to throw people off. Steve Zarelli's opinion is the gold standard, though, so if he gives it the provisional thumbs up then no one is in a better position to give you the green light for the Borman/Lovell signing. |
Steve Zarelli
Member Posts: 739
From: Upstate New York, USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-13-2014 06:07 PM
I did review this item in hand as Garry communicated. In my opinion, it had good speed with no signs of hesitation. There were a few traits I liked, and a little that gave me some pause. In my opinion, I could not state authentic (or not) with any degree of certainty... So in my mind it was inconclusive. As Garry indicated, the "And----" Anders are tough because there is not a lot of signature to analyze. And it wouldn't exactly take a master forger to convincingly replicate this abbreviated version of his signature. |
Steve Zarelli
Member Posts: 739
From: Upstate New York, USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-13-2014 07:41 PM
I did not address the primary question about sending to NovaSpace for Borman and Lovell.This is a matter of personal comfort about the Anders. Some collectors can live with a "little doubt"... others are more risk adverse and only want slam dunks in their collection. From my perspective, there would always be a bit of uncertainty about the Anders and it would prevent me from fully enjoying the complete A-8 item. |
Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 830
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 07-14-2014 06:37 AM
Here's how I would look at it: Anders is credited with taking that photograph and it's considered one of the most impactful images ever taken. So having only his signature on it is very appropriate. |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 07-14-2014 12:49 PM
I was able to add Lovell to an item to complete the Apollo 8 crew. Granted the item had a Lovell autopen already but I knew that was probably as close as I would ever get to completing an Apollo 8 crew photo on my terms. I was able to cover the autopen.  But in my humble opinion, that Anders looks good and I would go for it!! And if you do go for it, I would choose for the other two to use a similar pen to make it all consistent and awesome. Keep us posted! |
deputydave1
Member Posts: 90
From: Loxahatchee, Florida, USA
Registered: May 2007
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posted 07-18-2014 06:54 AM
I agree with Joel that having Anders "only" on the photo is fine. I would regard this photo as "complete" and let it stand on its own. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 07-22-2014 01:37 AM
In my mind, adding Lovell and Borman to this item would be a significant investment, since we're talking about both signing fees and at least one completion fee. Even if the intention is to keep this for one's private collection...one must ask themselves if the item is capable of being sold at a later date if one suddenly needed to recoup their investment. And that's where the question of authenticity on the Anders could get really sticky.Would a reputable auction house accept this piece under consignment, for example? We already have comments in this thread from the authenticator who works for RR Auction. While I don't want to put words into Steve's mouth, he politely stated that the piece is "inconclusive." Good auction houses shy away from inconclusive pieces. |
astrobock
Member Posts: 150
From: WV, USA
Registered: Sep 2006
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posted 07-23-2014 08:30 PM
I truly appreciate the valuable feedback. I’m leaning on taking the risk and sending this in for the signing, because there will always be opportunities to buy an Anders only signed Earthrise photo, but we won’t always have the opportunity for Borman and Lovell to also sign them. I’m looking forward to Astronaut Central helping me with this. |
William
Member Posts: 46
From: Terre Haute IN
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted 07-24-2014 09:32 AM
Awesome! I have an Earthrise photo with Lovell and Borman's autographs-I'd love to add Anders to it! |
dtemple
Member Posts: 742
From: Longview, Texas, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 08-22-2014 11:40 AM
Just my two cents worth (which might be overstating its value)... Why fake an "Anders" signature when a "W.A. Anders" or "Bill Anders" would be much more valuable and really not be significantly more difficult to fake? My impression is that the signature is genuine. Autopens are quite obvious to me, but that is not a consideration in this case. I am not a handwriting expert so that may be why I don't see the questionable couple of traits Steve Z. sees. If "Anders" was acceptable to me as a collector I wouldn't have a problem with this one, but it would be of significantly less value - and I mean SIGNIFICANTLY less as in mid-range double digits. To me adding Lovell and Borman to it just isn't worth doing. |
astrobock
Member Posts: 150
From: WV, USA
Registered: Sep 2006
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posted 09-08-2014 09:00 PM
Wanted to share the final product received back today after being signed by Jim Lovell and Frank Borman. I can't express my appreciation enough to Novaspace for making this opportunity possible.  |
David Carey
Member Posts: 866
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 09-08-2014 11:21 PM
Looks great - I wasn't sure if completion was the right path initially but seeing it so nicely done makes me change my mind. Enjoy! |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2219
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 09-09-2014 03:15 AM
Looks great. It was my first recollection of an Apollo mission and to be honest means more to me personally than any other. |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 09-09-2014 08:12 AM
Wow, that looks spectacular. VERY AWESOME item |
albatron
Member Posts: 2804
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 09-09-2014 12:49 PM
Great looking piece! As Steve says, it's so hard with Anders, especially a half signed but he's been known to do it.He also likes to play games with his signature with people as well. Sadly. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3407
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-09-2014 03:24 PM
Nicely done.
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woodg2
Member Posts: 152
From: Madison AL
Registered: Feb 2010
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posted 09-09-2014 09:05 PM
It looks great! I also took advantage of the Novaspace opportunity to get an Apollo 8 completion. Now that I have seen yours, I cannot wait for it to arrive! |
calcheyup
Member Posts: 125
From:
Registered: May 2014
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posted 09-11-2014 11:32 AM
It looks great. As long as you are happy with it, what you paid or the question marks surrounding the Anders shouldn't be an issue. As for what it cost, this is why we go to work every day, so we can indulge these interests of ours. Even amongst us space collectors, we all have "favorites" and certain missions and crews that we would be more inclined to pay more for than the next guy, so what something is "worth" can be so relative. Congrats on completing your project. |
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