posted 03-06-2015 04:09 PM               

Both objects (as well as other objects that originated from the same lot) have been postmarked with the Russian octagonal ISS stamp and the date stamp that usually accompanies it.

The following image shows similar stamps. I extracted them from a picture I found online because they are more legible than on my objects. Coincidentally, the date is the same, April 28, 2003.

The objects I acquired were supposedly brought back from the ISS by a cosmonaut in 2009, so I do not understand how they can bear a postmark from 2003. One of my objects is a bag that bears the handwritten name of the cosmonaut in question as well as his mission number, however he first flew in space many years after the date on the stamp.

I came up with a few possible explanations, but I would like to hear your suggestions before I start speculating.

The last comment in this topic might explain the discrepancy, but I do not understand what Walter wrote and did not manage to get in touch with him via email.

posted 03-08-2015 03:53 PM               

In my thread, I referred to a postmark, which was brought on board ISS in October 2008.

I am showing the cover of a letter Oleg Artemiev wrote to me during his stay on board ISS. The cancellation touching the stamp is the postmark. The other one left to the stamp is a circular date cachet issued by Russian space agency Roskosmos.

As you imagine, fakes of on-board cancellations exist.

Without knowing the story of your items and having good pictures it is impossible to say whether it is genuine or not.

posted 03-13-2015 07:13 PM               

I do not doubt the authenticity of the pieces of equipment I purchased, but I had trouble reconciling their history (as told to me) with the dates on the cachets they bear. The only element that could be forged is their flown status, but I am not too worried.

I think that the only way to know for certain if my artifacts flew in space is to ask the cosmonaut who supposedly brought them back to Earth, but I first wanted to find out as much as possible about the standard practices that govern the use of the aforementioned cachets.

I talked privately with Robert and came to the conclusion that it is standard practice to back date the date cachet. You also confirmed this in the thread I linked in my previous comment. Back dating to 2003 objects that were brought back in 2009 sounds plausible in that regard, although I wonder if this is done on a regular basis.

I saw a picture of the cosmonaut who supposedly brought the objects back to Earth taken while he was being extracted from his Soyuz capsule and he indeed carried a second pair of gloves in the pockets of his Sokol suit.

To put my mind completely at ease, I will take pictures of the objects and ask him for confirmation if I ever find a way to get in touch with him casually.