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Author
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Topic: Gemini 8 Display with "Flown" Material
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spkane
Member Posts: 119
From: West New York, NJ, USA
Registered: Sep 2007
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posted 02-08-2015 05:35 PM
   
I can use some help and wisdom from members here. About five years ago I picked up a piece on eBay. It was a handcrafted Gemini 8 "display" which included fabric material from the DWC "New Orleans" (one of the first 2 airplanes to circumnavigate the earth in 1924). According to information on the display, this material was carried aboard Gemini 8. It is definitely fabric of some sort that is cracking with the texture of cardboard. Above the fabric, is a cut image of Armstrong and Scott in the rough shape of a Gemini capsule. Above each, is their signatures. The cut image is laminated (as are the signatures). Also affixed to the display is a letter from David Scott. The letter is extremely faded and nearly impossible to read although some of the content is readable. It's a real puzzle. I'm not sure if the signatures are authentic — although to my amateur eye, the Scott signature looks okay. While this may be a case for a forensic scientist, I'd appreciate any feedback and insights. Thanks in advance for the help.  
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spkane
Member Posts: 119
From: West New York, NJ, USA
Registered: Sep 2007
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posted 02-08-2015 06:07 PM
Here are three additional images: 
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-08-2015 06:12 PM
Playing around with the letter in Photoshop, increasing the contrast, I can make out mention by David Scott of "fabric" and his being happy to "help out the museum." Unfortunately, there are are large parts of the letter that are just too faded to read. |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-08-2015 07:13 PM
An excerpt from an article about Gemini VIII reads: As they donned their suits, a watch belonging to aviation pioneer Jimmy Mattern was strapped around Armstrong's wrist, and pieces of wood and cloth from an old Douglas World Cruiser, the New Orleans, were packed with Scott's personal effects. Both were on loan from the museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 02-09-2015 01:23 PM
Either way, this looks like a rather unique and awesome piece. I think an item similar to this has been brought up before but I can't find anything so far. |
spkane
Member Posts: 119
From: West New York, NJ, USA
Registered: Sep 2007
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posted 02-11-2015 08:21 AM
Does anyone have thoughts on the Armstrong signature? |
Lunar rock nut
Member Posts: 911
From: Oklahoma city, Oklahoma U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-11-2015 11:22 AM
The Armstrong looks good even though the ink dots are slightly similar to an autopen machine. The felt tip used to sign with was possibly new and had a good flow of ink over a very glossy photo paper. |
kr4mula
Member Posts: 642
From: Cinci, OH
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 02-11-2015 01:00 PM
The article and what is visible on the letter seem to imply that these items were/are property of the National Museum of the USAF. The printing on the display looks very museum-like. Is there any provenance to this piece that clearly separates it from the NMUSAF? I'm sure many of us recall that there were a number of thefts and improprieties at the museum a decade or so ago (involving a former director), leading to valuable items being re-sold on eBay. |
spkane
Member Posts: 119
From: West New York, NJ, USA
Registered: Sep 2007
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posted 02-11-2015 05:28 PM
I don't have any provenance for this piece. I picked this up on eBay a few years back and it's been tucked away ever since. I have a copy of the original listing and that may be a useful clue. I wasn't aware of the theft at museum. The piece is not in the best condition. The way the section with the signatures was cut is not professional at all. And you've all seen the condition of the letter. Regardless, if it is something that was stolen, it would be my honor to return it to the museum. If by any chance you have a contact there, please share it with me. |
Chuckster01
Member Posts: 873
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 02-11-2015 06:36 PM
This is not unheard of. I purchased a flown STS-32 display on eBay and after contacting Bonnie Dunbar who flew the item on the award I found it had disappeared from the owners during an office move. I returned it to Dr. Dunbar at no charge to get it back where it belongs. As always buyer beware on eBay. |
spkane
Member Posts: 119
From: West New York, NJ, USA
Registered: Sep 2007
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posted 08-30-2015 07:15 PM
On the advice of members from this forum, I called the NMUSAF to determine whether the piece was lost or stolen. My intent was to return if that was indeed the case. I was told that it was never in their possession and they had no records of it. I pushed a little more and mentioned that it could have been as far back as 10 or 15 years ago. Again, the answer was no. The person I spoke with was adamant and when I began a further line of questioning he lost patience and said that if anything close to this piece was missing or stolen since forever he would know. My quandary now is how to value this piece. I’d be interested in any thoughts or opinions from cS members. I’m selling off parts of my collection and this is something I’m thinking seriously about selling. |
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